In Search of Ghosts by Ian Wilson

by Ian Wilson

This text aims to present one of the most far-ranging studies yet published on whether ghosts exist and if they do, what they are and why they are here.

Genres: Paranormal

Paperback

Published January 1, 1885

About the author

Author of historical and religious books. He was born in Clapham, south London, but now lives in Brisbane, Australia, with his wife, Judith and their two sons, Adrian and Noel.

Wilson is most well known for his research on the Shroud of Turin.

Reviews

[Pam Baddeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting factual study which looks at what evidence there might be for the existence of ghosts. Wilson starts off by considering what ghosts aren't - he debunks ghost photographs for example, and rules out the type of apparition seen at the point that someone dies by a friend/family member - and he goes on to investigate various cases, including those feted by celebrities in the field, and ruling out those which have poor quality evidence or documentation. He is rather hard on Peter Underwood (now deceased, but very active when this book was published in 1992) who was a leading light of the field at the time.

Wilson concludes that there is evidence and that the way to treat ghosts is kindly and to help them find rest rather than forcibly exorcise them, on the basis that the cases that seem genuine do relate to people who had 'unfinished business' in the sense of not feeling their burial had been carried out with the appropriate respect and consideration.

[Jonas Madden-connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever about ghosts. Concerns itself only with actual, factual ghost sightings related through firsthand accounts and honest journalism.