“American Heretics: Catholics, Jews, Muslims and the History of Religious Intolerance” by Peter Gottschalk (Palgrave MacMillan, 242 pages, in stores)

Many schools tend to gloss over the uglier aspects of American history — at least, mine did. Sure, just about everyone has heard about the Salem witch trials, thanks largely to popular culture, but does anyone remember the Puritans hanging Quakers because they practiced their religion differently?

In spring 1660, in Boston Common, Mary Dyer was led to the gallows. Drummers pounded loudly to make certain her voice could not be heard by onlookers, for fear she might infect others with her beliefs.

Peter Gottschalk tells her story and the stories of others in his book, “American Heretics: Catholics, Jews, Muslims and the History of Religious Intolerance.”