Due to a family passing at the time, I was unable to download this in time before it was archived, and having only returned after several years away due to it severely affecting me, I am now working my way through those reviews I was unable to get to to detail the issue. Thank you for the opportunity, and I look forward to working with you in the future.

I find the hysteria about witches fascinating. This book was really good as the reader really gets to know the characters and the drudgery of their lives. The witchcraft and lives of the characters was interesting but the bit thatwas hard going was the repeated references to the church. I understand this had to be included as it was a major reason for these people to leave for the New World but I couldn't wait to get past these bits in the book. Enjoyable but heavy going in places

Gaskill has done it again. Im a fan of his writing normally but this book is fascinating. This author knows his history and delivers it in a way that’s gripping. Its insightful and very well written. I’m the first to admit I’m not one for reading history books but this is a real true life folk tale, which make its all the more disturbing .

Malcolm Gaskill yet again delivers an excellent, well written, engaging book on the history of witches. He is able to write history as though fiction, drawing in the reader and immersing them in Springfield in the mid-17th century. It is a micro-history which enables to reader to full appreciate the affect of the 'witchcraze' on everyday people in a community. I will be recommending this to my students.

This very interesting non-fiction book, obviously researched in-depth, reads as smoothly as fiction. I only wish my history lessons at school had come alive in such a riveting way.

The author's depiction of North America's early immigrant's religious fervour and their search for an idyllic life has helped me better appreciate the concept of the American Dream and, through that, greatly enhances my understanding of American fiction. I highly recommend this book.

The Ruin of All Witches is a fascinating journey, back in time, to a remote Massachusetts plantation in the 1600's and the devastating impact of the witch hunts and trials in the small community of Springfield. This rich story introduces the reader to the immigrants to colonial America and how the fear of witchcraft spread so rapidly and invasively throughout the remote communities.
This is not a work of fiction despite reading as a dark fairytale where superstition and resentments take hold in Springfield leading to the deaths of several people viewed as 'witches'. It is evident that Gaskill is familiar with his subject matter and the depth of information and historic details provided is intriguing detail. The story does not become boring at any point, which is a risk in such a book but rather holds the attention of the reader as we view the slow destruction of this immigrant society, due to their own behavior and fears.
A great record of a historical event that could teach us much today.

Having read Cotton Mather's account of the Salem witch trials, Gaskill's record of the historical events taking place in 1651 explores the same themes of superstition, of Puritanism ideology and hypocrisy through emphasizing on historical details and providing well-researched information; "The Ruin of All Witches" is a reflection on how a society slowly collapses due to their own fallacy and fear.

This is an interesting and scholarly account, both of the rise of witchcraft in New England and indeed its roots in old England, but also about the rise of a town, Springfield, and the people who came over to struggle and form that town. The author presents the material in a carefully constructed manner, so it is easy to read. He provides an excellent background, so the reader can understand why people left England and why they chose to settle in Springfield, and the political and religious views abounding at that time. He then cites the case of Hugh and Mary Parsons, who were decried as witches, the evidence given at their trials and what became of them. He concludes by following the other characters in this tale to determine what happened to each of them - some returned to England, some made very successful lives and some drifted away into obscurity.

Overall a fascinating read, which really shed light for me on pioneers of the American dream and how easily it could become overrun by local prejudices, envy and a warped religious view.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Press UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an extensively researched book about witchcraft and family tragedy in Seventeenth Century America. The author provides us with an in-depth history of a town full of mysterious events.

I was grateful for the character glossary at the start - I struggled to remember who was who at times! There were stories of a lot of individuals so it was sometimes a challenge to keep up. I felt the narrative went off on tangents at times and could have been kept neater.

That said, this was really interesting and given that a quarter of my Kindle file was notes, a glossary and bibliography this was obviously very well-researched.

This is a fascinating historical book, the micro-story of a witch hunt in a plantation in Massachusetts.
It's also the analysis of how people lived, what they believed and what was the impact on everyday life.
It's well researched and gripping, a non fiction that kept me turning pages and made me learn something new.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I really can't get enough of any non fiction books about witches and witchcraft, so was delighted to get approved for this one on Netgalley. I really enjoyed this one as found it very informative and thought provoking.

A slow-paced but attention grabbing book this illuminated a world I was vaguely aware of but knew no details of, bringing it - and its inhabitants - to life

This is a non fictional account of witchcraft, and of one case in particular, in mid 17th century New England, in a remote community in Massachusetts.

Springfield, New England 1651, and strange and frightening things have started to happen, with suspicions firmly centring on young couple, Hugh and Mary Parsons.

Hugh, a brick maker, was an angry individual, and extremely jealous of neighbours who appeared to have prospered more than himself, and he wasn’t afraid to vent his anger and frustrations to all and sundry, threatening revenge on those who were the object of his anger and jealousy. His wife Mary was clearly a troubled soul, but their failure to fit into this immigrant community, will eventually lead to their downfall.

This was a fascinating look at, not just witchcraft and the trial of the Parsons, but of life in general for migrants in mid 17th century New England, with a wealth of interesting information about their daily lives. It provides insight into another age, a vividly painted portrait of a small community. The research needed to bring together this fascinating story must have been phenomenal, providing a truly compelling read.

The Ruin of All Witches by Malcolm Gaskill is a great nonfictional account of a witch hunt involving Mary and Hugh Parsons in 1651 New England. It was fascinating.

Mr. Gaskill has taken this specific situation taking place in 1651 in Springfield, Massachusetts as an example of the multi-faceted and complex collection of etiologies that threaded together can create a hotbed ripe for the picking in regards to the accusations and sentencing within this community.

Yes he covers this specific case with the specific circumstances, but it is more than that. He also delves into the historical, societal, religious, superstitious, environmental, political, and external factors that can all together create a perfect storm that can culminate into what we would now call “scapegoat” or “witch hunt”. It was utterly fascinating to see how all these factors, while independent may not be detrimental, added to create the situation that we use as an example.

I really enjoyed the research and the background that helped broaden the horizon and gave us the bigger picture…that aspect really made this book interesting and unique. I really liked digging a bit deeper.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Penguin Press UK-Allen Lane for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Bookbub ( as of 11/26/21 no BB listing has been created and link will be updated when it is available) Instagram, Amazon, Waterstones accounts immediately. Publication date 11/14/21.

The Ruin of All Witches is a fascinating journey, back in time, to a remote Massachusetts plantation in the 1600's and the devastating impact of the witch hunts and trials in the small community of Springfield. This rich story introduces the reader to the immigrants to colonial America and how the fear of witchcraft spread so rapidly and invasively throughout the remote communities.
This is not a work of fiction despite reading as a dark fairytale where superstition and resentments take hold in Springfield leading to the deaths of several people viewed as 'witches'. It is evident that Gaskill is familiar with his subject matter and the depth of information and historic details provided is intriguing detail. The story does not become boring at any point, which is a risk in such a book but rather holds the attention of the reader as we view the slow destruction of this immigrant society, due to their own behavior and fears.
A great record of a historical event that could teach us much today.