With our American Philosophy and Religion series, Applewood reissues many primary sources published throughout American history. Through these books, scholars, interpreters, students, and non-academics alike can see the thoughts and beliefs of Americans who came before us.
Cotton Mather Book order (chronological)
Cotton Mather was an influential New England Puritan minister and an exceptionally prolific author. His ubiquitous literary works established him as one of America's most influential religious leaders. Mather set the nation's moral tone and sounded the call for a return to the theological roots of Puritanism. He sought to guide the second and third generations of Puritans who had left England.
Magnalia Christi Americana
- 576 pages
- 21 hours of reading
The American Philosophy and Religion series by Applewood offers a collection of primary sources that illuminate the thoughts and beliefs of historical Americans. This compilation serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and general readers interested in understanding the philosophical and religious landscape of America's past. Through these reissued works, readers can engage with the foundational ideas that have shaped American culture and thought.
Cotton Mather on Witchcraft
- 172 pages
- 7 hours of reading
In this fascinating account of witches and devils in colonial America, the renowned and influential minister of Boston's Old North Church attempts to justify his role in the Salem witch trials. A true believer in the devil's battle to get converts in Salem and other Massachusetts towns during the late seventeenth century, Mather also believed the fantastic accusations of those who accused their neighbors of witchcraft. The theologian's book, first published in 1692, provides readers with guidelines for discovering witches, explanations for how good Christians are tempted by the devil to become witches, and methods of resisting such temptation. The great Boston minister also provides testimony from a number of similar trials, describes instances of witchcraft in other countries, and explains the devil's predicament in dealing with Christianity. Essential reading for students of the Salem witch trials, On Witchcraft will intrigue anyone interested in early American social and cultural history.