Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State
Combining the Fact with the Folklore
Book Reviews
This is where I'll be adding reviews for some of the books that come across my desk. If you're an author and would like your book to be reviewed here and featured, please drop me a line! As always you can reach me at theresarhps@yahoo.com
I'm particularly interested in local authors, and self-published authors, and will review any book relating to any aspect of the paranormal, or tri-state history. As of right now, this section is only for newer books, but if you'd like to see more of my reviews, you can find me on LibraryThing!
Haunting Sunshine
Title: Haunting Sunshine: Ghostly Tales from Florida's Shadows
Author: Jack Powell
Publisher Data: Pineapple Press, 2001
Review:
My sister recently returned from an anniversary trip to Florida, and brought me back several tomes of Florida hauntings, including this book by Dr. Jack Powell, retired military pediatrician and pediatric cardiologist.
The book is chocked full of fascinating stories from every corner of the Sunshine State, and is organized in easy to digest chapters and entries for each location. Dr. Powell seems to write from the heart, and the text is dotted with his own anecdotes, giving the book a very personal touch.
However, honestly, this isn't one of my favorite books of Florida ghost stories. While there definitely was plenty of great places featured, many of these places didn't seem to have a lot of historical background included. As an investigator, I love hearing personal experiences, but I also like to hear the history, and see if there is any historical documentation to back up claims.
Overall, I'd recommend this book more to those who just want a good read in scary stories, but to those looking for haunted places in the state of Florida, its still a great read...there are lots of locations to choose from that encourage one to do his/her OWN research, and dig a little deeper into famous locations such as the Don CeSar, Castillo de San Marcos, and many more.
Appalachian Case Study
Title: Appalachian Case Study: UFO Sightings, Alien Encounters, and Unexplained Phenomena
Author: Kyle Lovern
Publisher Data: Woodland Press, 2008
Review:
While a very slender volume, this book is packed full of interesting UFO encounters from Southern West Virginia! Sixteen chapters follow sixteen witnesses as they recount their tales, spanning a wide period of time, but not exactly a wide geographical area. The author, a reporter and writer from Mingo County, devotes much of the book's content to the southern coal fields.
While I'd like to see a wider geographical area covered (perhaps in the next book? *wink*), I appreciate the rapport the author has with his interviewees, and his ability and drive to get their stories told. Oddly enough, right before purchasing this book, I was discussing with a fellow West Virginian how deep our UFO lore goes, but there seems to be a lack of official reporting of sightings, especially in the area covered by the book.
The final chapter covers an interview and partial lecture from the famous Stanton Friedman, who is a regular speaker at the annual Braxton County Monster Festival. And again...oddly enough, part of his speech covered WHY West Virginians are so hesitant to speak of their UFO experiences!
This is a well-written book, and covers a subject that is definitely close to my heart. I enjoyed being able to recognize many of the places discussed in the sightings, and finding the similarities between the witnesses encounters, not only to each other, but to other famous cases in UFOlogy. This is definitely a book I'd recommend to anyone with an interest in the paranormal, but also to anyone living in West Virginia, despite a lack of belief or interest in UFO cases, as a piece of our waning folklore.
Haunted U.S. Battlefields
Title: Haunted U.S. Battlefields
Author: Mary Beth Crain
Publisher Data: Globe Pequot Press, 2008
Review:
As a history AND paranormal buff, I tore through this book in one evening, and found it informative and enjoyable. Crain discusses famous battlefield and war-related ghosts from a variety of conflicts, including the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the American Civil War, The Alamo, the Battle of Little Bighorn, and then a short compendium of battles fought by Americans elsewhere in the world.
Unfortunately, as a West Virginian, I felt left out, as there was no mention of our great state and our many haunted battlefields! A large portion of West Virginia ghostlore is directly related to the Civil War, and the disputed first battle of the Revolutionary War took place here, so we've got the haunts...we just need to tell them to the world. Perhaps a second volume could be arranged? *wink, wink*
Anyway, this is a book I'd recommend, especially for those with a love of military history. Even if you're more on the ghost side as opposed to the history side, don't fret. The history is concise, well explained, and not so overly in-depth as to detract from the spookiness of the stories.
Oval Office Occult
Title: Oval Office Occult: True Stories of White House Weirdness
Author: Brian Thomsen
Publisher Data: Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC, 2008
Review:
I had requested this book as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program, and was deeply disappointed that I didn't receive a copy. However, I was more disappointed that I went out on my own and actually spent my hard-earned money for this book.
That's a little unfair, I guess. It's not that it was a BAD book...but it was a boring book. It was written in stand-alone chapters, and while I thought from the descriptions that it would be a tome full of interesting and little known paranormal facts and haunts of the White House, it focused more on the well known tales of Lincoln's spiritualist leanings, and actual White House events outside of that were sparse.
The tone throughout was pretty dry, and I wouldn't recommend this for a fun, entertaining read. However, to those with an interest in history, it is a nice little reference book. The author quotes historical documentation for many of these chapters, and it is nice to see those original sources as they were first printed.
There's a little something in this book for people of all interests in the paranormal field...from UFO's, psychic visions, Conspiracy Theory, and even vampires. If you don't mind a compilation of older articles, then this book is an informative read.
Ghost In the Mirror
Title: Ghost in the Mirror: Real Cases of Spirit Encounters
Author: Leslie Rule
Publisher Data: Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC, 2008
Review:
I'm very honored that my first ER book was on my favorite subject by one of my favorite authors!
As a paranormal investigator, I'm definitely a connoisseur of paranormal literature, including anthologies of ghost stories, and Ms. Rule has never let me down. I appreciate the research she provides into attempting to back up each story she relates without completely detracting from the legend and folklore aspect.
This particular book caught my attention because of the issue of mirrors being brought up with such frequency lately. I was impressed with how the stories stay on track with the central theme, but don't entirely rely on it...and the transitional phrasing going from one story to another allows the work to flow freely, or be read in bits and pieces. The staggering of different types of formats, from newspaper articles, to first-hand accounts, keeps even the most ADHD-afflicted readers interested, and I love the pieces spotlighting other paranormal groups.
The only things I would change would be a little more of a historical profile for some of these lesser known public haunts, and more pictures! Ms. Rule's beautiful photographs of these places in question really offer a visual stimulant, aiding in the overall effect of the creepiness.
Overall...this is a book I'd definitely recommend for anyone...from those with a passing curiosity into the paranormal, to die-hard investigators.
Paranormal Chronicles
Title: Paranormal Chronicles: Tales of Humor, Satire, Horror, and the Absolutely Strange
Author: Neal Parks
Publisher Data: Copyright 2008 www.lulu.com
ISBN: 978-1-4357-5445-4
I picked up this book and met with its author, Neal Parks, at this year's Mothman Festival. Parks is a paranormal investigator out of Chillicothe, OH, and founder of Parks Paranormal Research and Investigations.
Therefore...I HAD to pick up a copy of this book! As this is a self-published title, there are several format and grammatical issues that kicked my English major brain into overdrive, but nothing that would detract from the stories themselves. This book is a well-written, entertaining compendium of Parks' investigation experiences, personal anecdotes, and tales related to him by family.
Being from a nearby geographical locale, I am familiar with the bulk of locations addressed in the book, and have actually been to quite a few myself. Several times I found myself nodding in agreement, or actually laughing out loud at as Parks described his encounters into the unknown.
I'd definitely recommend picking up this book, as its a great addition to any paranormal collection. From seasoned investigator, to armchair researcher, everyone can find something of value, and enjoy seeing the process of paranormal investigation through Parks' eyes. So please, support local authors, and support local paranormal investigators and pick this book up today!
