BOOK REVIEW: Ghosts and Poltergeists by Frank Smyth

-

As usual I found this used book at my favorite place, Wonder Book and Video.  I don't usually purchase books that are part of a collection but this one had some interesting information on the first page I turned to and I was hooked. Published by Doubleday and Company, Inc and as part of "A New Library of the Supernatural" that is comprised of 20 books on various topics like "Visitors From Outer Space" and "Spirits and Spirit Worlds". Be aware that this book has A LOT OF PICTURES and they are amazing! I especially want to note that the Editorial Consultants are Colin Wilson and Dr. Christopher Evans, which tells me they had an excellent collaborative team to create this particular book. 

The chapters of the book are comprised of history, types of apparitions, haunted places, "unhuman" ghosts, legends and folklore, poltergeists, investigating, and explanations. As an avid paranormal reader I will have to say some of the best books regarding the paranormal were written in the 1960s to the 1970s, this particular book was written in 1976. Each chapter is full of descriptive cases of paranormal phenomena that correlates to the chapter titles. I enjoy when these cases are interspersed with small bits of researcher input like the description of "crisis apparitions" in the first chapter. 

While most of the stories and cases of paranormal phenomena named in this book revolve around the UK, there are a few mentions of cases on the high seas and in the United States. Mentions are made of Borley Rectory and Harry Price with fantastic details from various authors of books about psychical research. One of my favorite aspects of older books is the mention of researchers and the varied possibilities of each view, it also allows me to go down the rabbit hole of each view by purchasing the mentioned author and book. I am an avid book collector....

All in all this particular book isn't a comprehensive or detailed analysis of paranormal phenomena but it does make an excellent addition to anyone's collection. If you are interested in easy to read stories of paranormal phenomena and detailed pictures associated with each case or topic, this one is for you!

Rebecca Boyer
Co-Founder
Antietam Paranormal Society

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Spirit Attachments

-
Image
I am going to start this particular blog with a bit of a warning, because this may not be your cup of tea. The opinions, thoughts, theories, and views in this blog have been developed by years of observation, experimentation, first hand accounts, and case studies. While you may not agree or even subscribe to the information within this blog, there are many that do agree and fully accept these philosophical theories. This blog is informational, however it should never replace the educated opinion of a medical professional. Please contact a medical professional if you are experiencing any mental or physical illness. SPIRIT ATTACHMENT If you have been interested in the paranormal for any length of time or you have watched paranormal television you are aware of the potential of spirit attachment. If you have seen one of the most popular and probably controversial paranormal television shows, you'd know that lead investigator is always getting possessed. But what if I told you that thro
Read more

Code of Ethics and Protocols For the Paranormal Investigator and Researcher

-
Image
  CODE OF ETHICS AND PROTOCOLS FOR THE PARANORMAL INVESTIGATOR AND RESEARCHER PREFACE: A paranormal investigator’s (the “researcher”) goal is to obtain objective and detailed data to support or invalidate paranormal phenomena. Researcher’s maintain that the process of cases involving paranormal phenomena include personal property, historic significance, religious interests, opposing opinion, and public image. In reaching the goal of objective and detailed data the researcher has certain obligations to the client, the paranormal research community, their team, and their own individual character. The researcher should consider their work to include other avenues outside the paranormal case which include; education, community outreach/ service, continuing education, and public inclusion. The following Code of Ethics outlines the principles and protocols researcher should maintain; during the paranormal case, in social settings, and beyond. These principles include integrity, respe
Read more

Ersatz: What's wrong in the Paranormal Field?

-
Image
During a reading of  a poltergeist phenomenon book I came across the word ersatz. It is a strange word to be sure, but every thing that we do or experience in the paranormal field is a little strange. The definition of ersatz is "not real or genuine". As I sit down here to write this blog, I thought the word fit for what is wrong in the paranormal field. Back in 2008 when we started Antietam Paranormal Society we really didn't have specific goals, we just wanted to document paranormal phenomena. I think we quickly realized that others were interested in joining in with us and we had to figure out what our goals would be. Through the years we encountered so many different types of people with different goals that either joined our team or we were just associated with in some way. This in turn placed people and things in our sphere that were not in line with the goals or mission we set for our team. Over time we learned valuable lessons. FAKES AND FRAUDS? If I had a dime fo
Read more