Witchcraft of New England Explained by Modern Spiritualism is a fascinating exploration of the history and legacy of witchcraft in New England. Allen Putnam delves deep into the practices and beliefs of early settlers, analyzing the influence of Puritanism and Native American traditions on the development of witchcraft in the region.

Putnam's thorough research and detailed explanations offer valuable insight into how spiritualism emerged as a reaction to the rigid religious attitudes of the time. He traces the evolution of witchcraft from its origins in Europe to its adaptation in the colonies, shedding light on the persecution and trials that marked this dark chapter in American history.

The author's clear and engaging writing style makes this book accessible to readers of all levels of familiarity with the subject matter. While some may find Putnam's occasional digressions into personal anecdotes distracting, they add a humanizing touch to the scholarly work.

Overall, Witchcraft of New England Explained by Modern Spiritualism is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of religion, folklore, and history. Putnam's thorough exploration of this complex and often misunderstood topic is sure to spark further interest and discussion among readers.

Book Description:
"It is not our purpose to write history, but to give new explanation of old events. The long and widely tolerated theory that New England witchcraft was exclusively but out-workings of mundane fraud, imposture, cunning, trickery, malice, and the like, has never adequately met the reasonable demand of common sense, which always asks that specified agents and forces shall be probably competent to produce all such effects as are distinctly ascribed to them."