The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel

By Felicitas D. Goodman

Book Overview

In 1976 a young German girl named Anneliese Michel underwent a series of exorcisms. The rites were administered by two priests of the Catholic Church to free Anneliese of the six demons they believed possessed her. Seemingly as a result of the exorcisms the girl died. Worldwide publicity followed when the girl's parents and the two exorcists were brought to trial and convicted of negligent homicide. Here a noted anthropologist offers her own interpretation of the exorcisms of Anneliese Michel. Drawing on interviews with the two exorcists, the girl's parents and friends, transcripts of the trial, and tape recordings made during the exorcisms - as well as studies of religious experience in various cultures - Felicitas Goodman has written a fascinating, compelling book, one that finally tells what happened in this strange case as it delves into the age-old mystery of demonic possession.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1597524328
• ISBN13: 9781597524322
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Resource Publications (CA)
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Good!

The movie, "The Exorcist of Emily Rose" is based out of Annaliese Michel's story. It is a very interesting yet chilling book to read. It contained detailed information about her possession experience. I couldn't put the book down.

Godless Time

I have watched the film about a month ago and I am impressed of it. There is no need of unnessecary actions such as vomitting or blood spitting. This film is more on playing with one mind.For weeks I could not sleep well for I felt the uncomfortable feeling and I felt the strange fear about the whole thing. But I guess this is what the devils wants. They want us to fear them and increase their power over us. But to tell you the truth, we are living in the world of godless people of godless time. Nowadays people only believe money is their god. And money brings power and pleasure as well into everybody's lives.Who believes in the devil these days anyway? Well, but I do.

Astonishing

This book is a gift. Written well, it causes people to think. Very informative, it is similar to the movie but with much more detail.

Very interesting, a must read if your into this.

First of all "Thank you guys for the copying of the book" I looked everywhere on the net and otherwise and nothing, no matter what negetive stuff some people say, its still the information and the read that counts, and anyway its a handsome bind, especially for something out of print. I have just started reading it and its already interesting. Again, thanks so much for bring this out for the public to read. And the price is fair in my view, especially if this interests you. sincerely, frank h.

The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel

This is a very good book for the curious and pragmatic. It doesn't really matter if you believe in demonic possession or not, the things this young lady went through are both tragic and remarkable. She showed remarkable strength through what had to be a living hell for her and her family. During the entire read I found myself feeling so bad for Anneliese and wishing she would get better. But at nearly every turn she either got worse or made little or no improvement in her condition. I found it facinating that no one, even in the mid 1970s, could decide what was actually wrong with her except to say she was possessed by some demons. The doctors seemed convinced it was a mental condition but weren't sure and her behavior would certainly point in that direction, but having never met her (of course) it's just hard to say how she was before historically. I tend to think with the film "The Exorcist" having been released just a few years eariler, that Anneliese might have known about it and somehow tried to mimic what in her mind was a case for possession. But, she exhibted many other signs and behaviors that was not included in the film such as seeing gross and distorted faces looking back at her from the mirror, or seeing small rodents out of the corners of her eyes. Both conditions, I think, are examples of someone with mental illness. So, in fact, all things concerned, even if we resign poor Annelise to a mental condition, it's still a good read. And fasinating to say the least. But, that's all just my opinion, I could be wrong.