GATES MILLS, Ohio—When Hawken School senior Lauren Perry enrolled
in a course that explores the Salem Witch Hysteria of 1692, she became part of
a group of students whose collection of writings has gained attention from
prominent members of the academic community.
Entitled, “Trails of Darkness: Comparative Essays on the
Salem Witch Hysteria of 1692 from the Teenage Perspective,” their provocative
writings compare the Salem Witch Hysteria of 1692 to similar occurrences in
history and popular culture.
“Our prevailing themes illustrate how fear influences who we
are and what we do,” Perry said.
Gaining insight about historic events, experiencing the
publishing process firsthand, engaging in extensive research and applying what
they learned through writings were among the many outcomes students made.
Senior Aric Floyd explained “Trails of Darkness” is unique
for several reasons. “As far as we know, this is the first time that a high
school class has self-published and self-marketed a work of original historical
research,” he said.
Students’ journey included everything from working with professional
editors to designing cover art. Floyd said it has been an “incredible educational
and entrepreneurial experience.”
The students’ work has already received an enthusiastic
response from the academic community. Among those supporting their book is
Cornell professor and award-winning author of “In the Devil’s Snare,” Mary Beth
Norton—as well as acclaimed historian Margo Burns, associate editor and project
manager of the book, “Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt.”
“As students, we have a different view than other scholars,
and even though the hysteria happened a long time ago, it has significance to
what is happening now,” Perry said.
As they began crafting the book, students divided into three
different groups, including marketing, outreach and cover and design.
“By working with a professional publisher, we learned more
about research, copyright laws, techniques for making book covers attractive,
marketing and more,” Perry said.
The Dangers of Blind Faith: Examining the Salem Witch Trials
and Peoples Temple Mass Suicide; Wait, Watch, Worry: The Onset of Hysteria
Following War and Natural Disaster; and The Salem Witch Hysteria: America’s
First Lynching are among some of the topics covered in “Trails of Darkness.”
Other topics include Salem Village Hysteria: A Model for the
Religiously Driven Fight Against Gay Rights; Suspicion and Stop-and-Frisk: How
Profiling is Indefensible; The Power of Group Fear: Salem 1692 and September
11th, 2001; Hysteria Strikes Again: Salem 1692 and the French Revolution; The
Devil Drinking His Pain Away: The Fear of Immigrants in the 20th Century; Magic
as a Response to Powerlessness; Borderline Personality Disorder in 1692, and
more.
100 percent of profits will benefit Facing History and
Ourselves, a charitable organization that works to combat racism, anti-Semitism
and prejudice while promoting democracy and educational programs. Publication
of the book is a result of a partnership the organization formed with Screaming
Hawk Publications.
Purchase a copy of the students’ collection at ittybittyurl.com/W3r. The electronic version is currently listed at just $0.99, and a paperback version will be offered in mid-December.