Ghosts of Salem: Haunts of the Witch City (Haunted America)

Have you ever been to Salem, if not, you must take the time and take a trip there. I have been in love with Salem since 1993. It all began with the movie "Hocus Pocus" My first trip there was in 1996 with my daughter Kandace. When I arrived in Salem, it felt like home, like I had been there and lived there all of my life...+ I remember the first morning there, we stayed at the Stepping Stone Inn, the year 1996, the month of May, I got up early, walked down English Street onto Derby Street and I saw the lighthouse on Derby Street, I walked down to then end of the Wharf, the sun shinning, the waves of the Atlantic Ocean glistened in the sunlight, like diamonds in the rough. It was so beautiful, I couldn't believe I was standing there...+ The City is so Magical, it is full of history, like the witchcraft trials of 1692, the maritime trade, the author era, the clothing Mills,Parker Brothers, Laurie Cabot (OWOS), the Peabody Essex Museum (a must see), the Salem Witch Museum, Witch shoppes of all kinds, physic readings almost everywhere and Haunted Happenings, an event that you must see once in your lifetime. I have been to Salem several times since then and I plan to go again soon. As a writer, this town has strengthened my creativity, it has been my inspirations. Every time I take a trip to Salem, I stay at the Stepping Stone in, the proprietor, makes you feel very welcome and at home, and it is a hop, skip and a stones throw away from all the wonderful sites that you will experience...+ With that being said, this book is one of the best and most well researched books that I have ever read and had the pleasure to read... I agree with the reviews--it was hard to put down, and here again this book has been a creative inspiration to me--the stories, the history, the facts, it was like the long awaited final piece of the puzzle... I enjoyed the book in many ways, because it answered so many questions for me about Salem, things I already knew, but Mr. Baltrusis expanded on making the experience of getting to know the town of Salem, Massachusetts on a very personal and up close level. I am a fiction/mystery/history writer and this book filled the bill on all of these. I hope Mr. Baltrusis will take this book and expand even more, like colored photos of all of the areas he has written about and hopefully Mr. Baltrusis, will take each one of these--let's say the "Cemetery Haunts, one by one and write even more on the places he has experienced. It is like the old saying,"seeing something through someone else's eyes and for me with Mr. Baltrusis, his writing, his history, his facts--through his words, it was like I was experiencing Salem as if I was actually there. I don't do review books much, but I do read a lot--however, this book had it all, mystery, history and the facts--this book was spooky and left me sitting on the edge of my seat and it gave me ideas upon ideas for my new novel. Thank you Mr. Baltrusis. I sure hope that you will write more on the City of Salem, it was a pure delight to read your book...Salem Writer...+

My daughter and her husband will visit Salem, MA over Halloween Eve. Ever since a little girl, she would tell ghost stories that would keep her wide awake overnight while her sleepover guests slept snug as bug in a rug.She won't sleep for weeks after this visit to Salem. The book will lead her to all the places she has no business visiting. Just a little background on each place as described in the book and her bigger than life imagination, and this combination should set the stage for a night of screams and horrors. And I can hardly wait for their return, assuming they actually return home after Halloween Eve in Salem.The book is marvelous and has set the stage for a night of horrors and unexplained going ons. Don't leave for Salem without this Horror Trave Guide recommended by morticians and really strange people all across the state. Happy Halloween!

I enjoyed this book more for the shocking historic details than the haunts. Being I have visited Salem and plan to again, this was a good review and knowledge to take with me next time.

I loved knowing more about history of the town then just everything you always get on the trials. I would recommend it to everyone. Why the rate I choose it's best I've read in long while.

I think the book is well written. Gives minor details that are missing in other sources. A lot of indebt information that is interesting and background reports. Well written a flowing from one topic to the next. I like the details that gives. I would buy again.

It was immediately apparent to me that this is a book that would be better read in small chunks rather than all at once like I did because it is very repetitive. The first chapter is especially repetitive... specifically with explaining who Giles Cory is.This is one that I can see myself picking up before my next trip to Salem to refresh my memory about certain buildings and locations. And of course, this is a great read for a dark, cold, and windy night!

Perhaps it makes a difference when you've been there, but I really enjoyed this book more than most ghost books I have read. I remembered many of the locations mentioned, and although it has probably been twenty or more years since I have been there, the book has made me want to return with the additional knowledge of where the spirits are.

I was able to visit Salem in the summer and was really intrigued about it's history and hauntings. This book kept me on my toes and wanting to go back! Great read.

A short and enjoyable read for all potential ghost hunting visitors to this delightful town!