Overall I liked this book, but it could have been so much more. I'll start with some minor complaints. Fist off, this only covers Southern New England, mostly Massachusetts. I would have like to have seen some stories from Vermont and Maine which seemed to got snubbed from this book. Maybe it's because this book focuses on early New England history. Being from Vermont and knowing Vermont folklore, as I've said, this book could have been much more. Needless to say, by the end of the book I was glad it was over. It could have ended better. Yes this is an anthology, but felt like i need a better story to end it all or a last word from the editor.

There are many thing I enjoyed about this book too. First off, I liked the history. Most of this stuff I knew already, but it was a good refresher. The book makes one realize how much religion (mostly Protestantism) and superstition are in the roots of New England culture. This book covers the history of witchcraft and pirates in our region as well. Salem isn't the only witchy place in New England and Blackbeard as connections with the east-coast. This book also has some wonderful newspaper-like drawings as well.

Would I recommended this book? Depends n where you live honestly. I'm not sure why anyone outside of New England would enjoy this book unless you are a history buff. A lot of this book is centered around location. To me, it felt like I was visiting these locations again. Some of these places I go to every year. This book is very Ye Olde New England style.

NOTE: I should mention this book is folklore. While it's also history, it doesn't read like everything in this book could have actually happened. This book is also made up of prose and poetry by other New England authors some well known like Hawthorne and Longfellow. ( )

Stuffed with archaic local folklore and bits of history that might otherwise not be as readily available. It's quite beautifully written though some might find it stuffy. It was written a long while ago. I see it's been reprinted and is in hardcover. I've got an old paperback. Love browsing in this book. ( )