The value of studying history lies not in the accumulation of facts but in our ability to discern and apply its lessons. Yet history is too often remembered rather than understood. I feel compelled to revisit one of its most horrific chapters to examine why, in the 21st century, war is no longer a sustainable strategy for securing territorial, economic, or geopolitical advantage.

When I think about the Middle Ages in Europe, one topic in particular has fascinated me for quite some time: the witch hunts of the 16th and 17th centuries. As I research my first novel, I became curious about the origins of these persecutions—and, in particular, why it was predominantly women who were persecuted for witchcraft.