The Field Guide to North American Hauntings: Everything You Need to Know about Encountering Over 100 Ghosts, Phantoms, and Spectral Entities

by W. Haden Blackman

Book Overview

From headless phantoms and screaming specters to invisible poltergeists and disembodied voices, ghosts occupy our homes, infest cemeteries and graveyards, lurk in nearby caves and forests, and even... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0609800213
• ISBN13: 9780609800218
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (CA)
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Great seller, product as described, fast shipping

This book was used, but was in new like condition. I will enjoy dealing with this seller again. thanks so much

A fun book

Field Guide to North American Hauntings is a fun book. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the stories are good old fashioned fun folklore. The author's style affects to be that found in nature "field guides." He indicates the type of "animal," its "habitat," its distinguishing characteristics, and it's habits, the likelihood of encountering the "specimen"and the danger such an "animal" might pose the serious observer. Some of the stories are well known to anyone who enjoys this kind of book, particularly the haunts of Black Beard, the Bell Witch, Amityville house, the Winchester mystery house, and Resurrection Mary . In fact, there are more and better tales out there about these particular hauntings. Each retelling makes the character of the ghost and its sightings more entertaining. Whole TV shows have been made featuring them, so even those who don't read the common literature on the topic will know something about them if they watch TV at all. It's difficult to determine the author's own stand on the paranormal. There were times when I could have sworn he wrote with a definite tongue-in-cheek. Some of what he said was actually very comical if taken from a more skeptical frame of mind. Some of it was truly priceless. The credulousity of the spook hunter has to be overwhelming when some of the cautions the author provides are expected to be taken seriously, so it was difficult to believe that he "believed." Whether the author is a skeptic or a believer, he does offer some very good advice to the perspective ghost hunter. "Be polite," being the most important. "Ask permission," being coequal. Since some of these haunted sites are on private property, the ghost hunter would be well advised to ask permission or risk breaking and entering charges. The ghost may or may not be tangible, but the fine or imprisonment will be! Also, not everyone who lives in or on reputedly haunted property actually believes any of the stories, and turning away prospective investigators at ones door at all times of the day or night may well be considered a great pain rather than a great opportunity. There are plenty of public venues that have had reported sightings, so I'd leave the haunted house to its owners unless invited to do otherwise. Where there are public sites, many are historic in nature, celebrating--or commemorating--national or local events. If there is a fee of admission charged, as the author urges, pay it. These public sites are usually restored and maintained by what they earn in admissions fees, and while your interest may not be in the historic intent of the monument, that of others is. Furthermore, before rendering your opinions on the paranormal value of a site like Gettysburg, remember that a serious historian--academic or enthusiast-- can be every bit as intense about their passion as any would be ghost hunter about theirs, and that they can take considerably greater exception to having their pet monument visite

Absolutely Hilarious!

Absolutely hilarious. For example, from "Appendix B: Sample Questionnaire for Ghosts" Are you frequently tired, weak or cold? Have you ever walked through a wall by accident or felt invisible? Does this seem strange to you? What do you like least about being a ghost? . . . and for those spirits unaware of their state of existence . . . I believe that you are a ghost. How does that make you feel? Can you prove that you are alive? Priceless.

Love it!

This book has some great stories, and I really enjoyed them. It has helped me plan out my next vacation.

Great reading, but a little exagerated and not all realistic

I enjoyed the book very much, great information on locations of alleged hauntings around the US, lists the more well know locations. Also tips on ghost hunting. The book was great, but the authors opinions seemed unrealistic and exagerated on his ideas about ghosts and hauntings. A good book to read overall!! Recommend it!