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Witches, Rakes, and Rogues: True Stories of Scam, Scandal, Murder, and Mayhem in Boston, 1630-1775
In a series of richly detailed narratives, Simons uncovers the dark side of Boston life from the city's founding until the Revolution. It's the stuff of National Enquirer headlines-colonial style-meticulously researched and delightfully told.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
260 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 11, 2010
An interesting and amusing collection of swindles, scams, murders, suicides, adulteries, divorces and bigamies among the elite in Boston during the colonial times. This just goes to support my theory that Nothing Ever Changes: the Founding Fathers and Mothers misbehaved quite as colorfully as their descendants 300+ years later. I admire the author's efforts to dig out these fascinating but very obscure tales. A series of similar books on other major colonial cities (New York, Philadelphia, Charleston etc) would definitely hold my attention.
August 22, 2018
They must be giving this book away because our university just received a batch of them and the librarian was trying to give them away like there was no tomorrow.
I read the first few chapters, and it was just insolent drivel which felt like it was copied from something, or someone else.
Definitely something to put in the toilet and pull out when you're constipated.
I read the first few chapters, and it was just insolent drivel which felt like it was copied from something, or someone else.
Definitely something to put in the toilet and pull out when you're constipated.
August 21, 2018
Boring, regurgitated 200+ yr old drivel with a twist of fantasy, derived from the Archives of where the writer works.
October 25, 2023
FINALLY got through this slog of a read, with only a few days of October to spare. Should have just read the witches chapter and then returned the book to work, oh well
December 7, 2014
Written by the CEO of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, this book is an impeccably researched collection of all variety of mayhem from colonial Boston. Genealogists are nothing if not thorough, so we get the backstory as well as the "where are they now" of what happened following their episode of dishonorable notoriety. (Well, they're all dead now, but I think you follow my point.)
Having worked both the genealogical and historical sides of street, one thing I appreciate about genealogists is that they understand the importance of knowing someone's origins in seeking to understand him or her. (Historians sometimes act as though individuals magically appear fully formed at their moment of destiny.)
In any case, the results are quite entertaining, and proves that the vagaries of human nature are constant through the ages.
My only criticism is that the chapters appear to have been written as lectures. He begins each with a brief outline of the tale he's about to tell. Since the stories are briskly told this approach is not only unnecessary, but tends to rob the reader of the enjoyment of the unfolding of the tales, since he's essentially already told us what happened.
Having worked both the genealogical and historical sides of street, one thing I appreciate about genealogists is that they understand the importance of knowing someone's origins in seeking to understand him or her. (Historians sometimes act as though individuals magically appear fully formed at their moment of destiny.)
In any case, the results are quite entertaining, and proves that the vagaries of human nature are constant through the ages.
My only criticism is that the chapters appear to have been written as lectures. He begins each with a brief outline of the tale he's about to tell. Since the stories are briskly told this approach is not only unnecessary, but tends to rob the reader of the enjoyment of the unfolding of the tales, since he's essentially already told us what happened.
March 10, 2011
If you had ancestors in Boston during this time period or just love history you'll find these stories about naughty girls and Boston Bad boys interesting. Schemers, scoundrels, adulterers, thieves, impostors, murderers and witches just to name a few of their crimes.
Their punishments were quite severe but that's the way it was back then. How about a "B" branded on your forehead for burglar with an ear chopped off, or to be whipped with your shirt off, even the women had to endure that humiliation. To be shackled in the town square with the townspeople throwing everything disgusting they could think of at you, mostly animal droppings. Hanging was the big one and it was done swiftly.
Tons of Bostonians are mentioned in this piece and since I love genealogy, I'll keep it in my library, in case I ever run across any of my ancestors, thankfully none that I know of were mentioned here.
Some serious research went into this book with lots of portrait paintings and newspaper articles from the day. Mr. Simons won the Award for American Association for State and Local History a few years ago for this book. Rightfully so.
Their punishments were quite severe but that's the way it was back then. How about a "B" branded on your forehead for burglar with an ear chopped off, or to be whipped with your shirt off, even the women had to endure that humiliation. To be shackled in the town square with the townspeople throwing everything disgusting they could think of at you, mostly animal droppings. Hanging was the big one and it was done swiftly.
Tons of Bostonians are mentioned in this piece and since I love genealogy, I'll keep it in my library, in case I ever run across any of my ancestors, thankfully none that I know of were mentioned here.
Some serious research went into this book with lots of portrait paintings and newspaper articles from the day. Mr. Simons won the Award for American Association for State and Local History a few years ago for this book. Rightfully so.
November 6, 2013
Might have given this two and a half stars if that were an option. If you're interested in history, you'll appreciate the glimpse into random aspects of life in colonial Boston, including marriage and divorce. But they're not that well told. For some reason the author opened each chapter by first telling the entire story in capsule form. Then he retells the story in detail. Not a great way to do it. For one thing, he eliminates any narrative suspense by telling you how each story ends right up front. And for another, the "in-depth" versions of the stories that follow often don't have a whole lot more detail than the capsule summary. Apparently there's not enough information available or something. Even the stories that are a little more fleshed out were usually missing some important details and just ended up seeming anticlimactic.
The stories were somewhat interesting, but from the jacket copy I was expecting absorbing, novel-like stories along the lines of "The Devil in the White City" or "Charlatan."
The stories were somewhat interesting, but from the jacket copy I was expecting absorbing, novel-like stories along the lines of "The Devil in the White City" or "Charlatan."
November 26, 2013
I found this whole concept/idea really interesting. Of course I want to know about the scandals of Boston's yesteryear. And they were actually well laid out and mostly thorough. I learned quite a bit. For instance, I didn't know that people used to be punished by being made to just stand with a noose around their neck (not being hanged) for prolonged periods of time. I'm sure they learned their leason that way.
However, as a history nerd, I would have liked to see footnotes or endnotes. As it was, Simons cited things in an appendix at the end if the book, not with the use of superscript numerals or symbols, but merely by page number. it is possibly the least efficient citation method I've seen amongst all of the historical books I've read. And I've read quite a number. I also would have appreciated some modern-day numbers related to fees imposed. Not only were they in pounds, it left me with no idea of comparison.
However, as a history nerd, I would have liked to see footnotes or endnotes. As it was, Simons cited things in an appendix at the end if the book, not with the use of superscript numerals or symbols, but merely by page number. it is possibly the least efficient citation method I've seen amongst all of the historical books I've read. And I've read quite a number. I also would have appreciated some modern-day numbers related to fees imposed. Not only were they in pounds, it left me with no idea of comparison.
February 18, 2015
I give this book a tepid 'two stars.' The concept is a good one, but the historical material available just doesn't allow for many good stories to be told. So we get tales of adultery, bigamy, witchcraft and swindling, but much of it is taken from very limited historical records, so it's hard to bring these stories to life. I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks that Puritan Boston was one ling church service - they had no shortage of sinners among them.
Worth a look for those interested in Colonial Boston, but not a real page-turner.
Worth a look for those interested in Colonial Boston, but not a real page-turner.
February 22, 2016
Interesting tales from pre-revolutionary times in the Boston area. Because it is a collection of stories some were far more interesting than others so there were times I couldn't put it down and others when I didn't want to pick it back up. Overall I did like it. I also realized that if I had been born back then, I would have either been accused of being a witch, especially since I like to read, a practice generalized back then as a "mans" activity. Apparently they felt that too much mental stimulation for the women folk was unhealthy. Grrrr.
September 10, 2016
The title of this book promised great things - witchcraft and adultery, scandals and scams! And to an extent, the book delivers. Unfortunately, that's about all this book is - short sketches of various bad deeds in Boston history. I would have appreciated a fuller book that went more in depth about why these atrocities stood out, or what they revealed about lifestyles and attitudes of colonial Bostonians. It's a very sparse book that doesn't leave me any better informed about the time period. Still, great title.
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March 13, 2007the stories are wonderful.. and ive used a lot of the readings and incorperated them into my writing.. as well.. i love books like this.. that are historical.. i think spirits hide in things now.. like manifest through modern technology.. instead of themselves.. but then again.. ive always been an odd boy..
March 9, 2015
Absolutely fascinating local history. The writing style is surprisingly dry for a book like this, but the stories were interesting enough to keep me pushing through. Definitely shows a side of Puritan history that doesn't appear as often.
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March 30, 2015Absolutely fascinating local history. The writing style is surprisingly dry for a book like this, but the stories were interesting enough to keep me pushing through. Definitely shows a side of Puritan history that doesn't appear as often.
August 30, 2011
I got this for Christmas and can't wait to read it!!
June 11, 2017
The witchcraft was all I was really there for, but some darn interesting insight into puritan law, scandal and hypocrisy.
January 8, 2008
Meh. It was alright. Sorrid tales of Boston's past.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews