BOOK REVIEW- The Case For Ghosts: An Objective Look at the Paranormal
The Case For Ghosts: An Objective Look at the Paranormal by J. Allan Danelek
I purchased this book at Borders (oh how I miss you!) on a whim. It was one of those shopping trips when I really wanted a new para-read and this was one that I grabbed. What an AWESOME delight it was! Once finished I emailed Mr. J. Allan Danelek and told him how much I loved it, surprise to me I received a response within minutes! He is a very intelligent, down to earth, and friendly person who welcomes questions and even seemed to "cyber blush" at my effusive praise.
In The Case For Ghosts, Mr. Danelek draws you into all the different topics on the paranormal; skepticism, consciousness, basic definitions, types of "hauntings", and so much more. Each subject is theorized in such a way, that the author delves your mind into the possibilities, freeing you of the restrictions of current paranormal theories that are so common place. While you may say Isn't there a reason for those? YES there is however if you don't have an open mind then you will never improve upon or learn to formulate new theories with additional information that is collected. He also explains this by going over "The Germ Theory" and how Louis Pasteur was subjected to scorn and ridicule for his hypothesis "it was not poisoned blood and bile that was responsible for most disease, but microorganisms that he called germs that were the culprit". If we accept every theory without challenging it we will get no where! Question everything! Keep learning! Practice the scientific method; theory, prediction, experiment, observation! (The whole sheep following the shepherd burns me up!)
After reading this book I feel more opposed to putting restrictive labels on any case or investigation. Each case should be different instead of placing paranormal activity or experiences in a box labeled Residual Haunting how about we pick it apart some more? Give it more descriptions, make more hypothesis', free yourself from taking the easy route and moving on. Is every case that seems Residual really Residual? Do we allow clients and others accept it because it's easier than the daunting task of more work?
While the book goes over many of the theories in the paranormal field it also does have a section for "Tools of the Trade" and how they are used, communication with spirits, and even the "Dark Side" of the Paranormal. There is a great section of "Common Photo Anomalies" and "How to make a Ghost Photo", for those of you interested in Paranormal Photography. There is even a no-nonsense section on Orbs. Malevolent Entities and "Dark" Agendas. Demons to Spirit Guides. It's a great way to brush up on objective views of each subject.
While I can quote Mr. Danelek and his book over and over, I will let you decide when you pick up your own copy because I definitely recommend it. Each subject and chapter has a conclusion that summarizes his topics, which are very helpful if you get lost in the translation. It may not be for the "beginner" but definitely for those of you who are on the cusp of diving into paranormal investigation and research seriously.
P.S. I welcome each one of you to post your thoughts on this book after you have read it from cover to cover. Keep reading and learning!
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