Hauntings: Real-life Encounters with Troubled Spirits

by Hazel M. Denning

Everyone has heard ghost stories in the course of his or her life. Although some people are true believers, many others are skeptical of such dark and unearthly tales. In Hauntings!: Real-Life Encounters with Troubled Spirits, parapsychologist Dr. Hazel Denning offers a believable way of looking at these inexplicable visitors, providing irrefutable evidence to support the occurrence of paranormal phenomena. The book doesn't just tell stories of haunted houses, channeling, psychic attacks, possession, and witchcraft—it tells them from the tormented, earthbound spirits' points of view!

Read about:

A French architect, executed in the 1600s, who possessed a normally cheerful woman and caused her to have violent outbursts Edmund, who killed his sister's fiance and remained in his family's red-brick mansion for thirty years after his physical death A boy in Los Angeles who was struck with uncontrollable fits of demonic rage A woman who experienced a nearly fatal illness because doctors could not diagnose her mysterious abdominal pains

In Hauntings! readers will discover that ghostly encounters take place beyond the pages of storybooks; they happen in the lives of real people everywhere.

Genres: Paranormal, Ghosts, Nonfiction, Ghost Stories, Folklore, Spirituality

220 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Sabrina Rutter · Rating 1 out of 5]

When one usually seeks out these kind of books they want to read stories that give them a chill, cause them to look twice in the shadows, and most importantly believe in the possibility of spiritual existence. With this book however you find yourself questioning the authors own gullibility as she mainly goes on the word of others without having been there to see things for herself.

If going on hearsay is not bad enough to cause one to question the truth of the stories then pay attention to the details. In one story a spirit claimed he had been an inventor in his life, so when he went into the other dimension he experimented with energy until he learned how to control it on the physical plane. Then on the very next page the author claims she explained to the spirit that he was using energy to manifest. Now why would the author need to explain to the spirit how he was using energy to manifest if the spirit told her he experimented with energy until he learned how to control it on the physical plane.

Being that the author is a parapsychologist you would think she has had enough personal encounters with people willing to share their amazing tales that she wouldn't have to troll the internet looking for more. One of the most popular stories about reincarnation involves that of a child in India who was a able to solve the murder that ended their previous life. If you're someone like me who enjoys researching these things then you have ran into this story countless times while browsing reincarnation online. Someone in her field, for as long as she has been doing psychical research should have been able to enlighten her readers with a unique compelling story on reincarnation.

I may not be a parapsychologist, but I myself have been studying the paranormal since I was around eleven years old. This authors view doesn't always mesh with what most popular views are. For instance, she writes that children do not come into this life with a clean slate upon which is to be written the events of one life. She even claims a doctor after delivering a baby said he felt bad for the parents because this newly born baby had rage in his eyes. Give me a break!!! Ok, say we have lived before, but what is a new life if it's not a clean slate! This author also believes in curses! Don't even get me started on that. With the way this author writes it's no wonder so many people have a hard time taking parapsychology seriously.

One thing in the begining of the book that really bothered me was the fact that she kept throwing out so many names of other people who were involved in the spiritualist movement. Entire paragraphs full of them! It was done as if to impress the reader of her knowledge of their efforts. Don't authors usually list references in the index at the end of the book. I guess she couldn't wait to show off her sources.

I didn't finish this book, and I don't suggest anyone force themself to read it if they are having a hard time accepting it's content. Like I said, I have been reading about the paranormal for many years, and though I might not have a document to prove my expertise I know bullshit when I see it.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

Review to come.

[Nikki · Rating 1 out of 5]

This entry will be short, because frankley I did not like this book. Since I try to read all books that I start, I just had to finish it, thank goodness it was only 220 pages! The author is a person who "investigates" hauntings whether they be traditional or other cases such as possessions. This book is a collection of her writing about various cases that fit different catergories. There is no real evidence backing these stories except her own testimony and the testimony of the people that she helped. Her main source that she used to help these people is a psychic friend of her's who goes with her and helps diagnose the problems with whatever type of haunting the case is dealing with.



As a general book with examples, the book is okay at best. It does provide with different examples, but these examples can also be found in hundreds of other books that are written better than how this one it. Just don't waste your time with it.

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Call me a ghost snob, but this book was too over-the-top for my taste. I found some of the accounts of so-called paranormal experiences interesting, but I started rolling my eyes when I saw chapters about channeling, possessions, and curses.

[Lynn Rainsford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written exploration of the world of spirits. Her explanations are direct and easily understood.
I recommend this book for anyone either new to the genre, or for those who have read similar books on the subject. I found many of the concepts and experiences to resonate with my own.
It is delightful to find a work written so straightforwardly by a person with two Masters degrees and a PHD.

[Petra T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ja neviem, asi som čakala od knihy trochu viac keďže som si ju kúpila na základe textu na zadnej obálke, ktorý ma zaujal a bohužiaľ je to len súbor nepotvrdených poviedok autorky. Niektoré príbehy sú doplnené o zdroje, z ktorých čerpala, ale nečakajte vysvetlenie otázok na zadnej obálke knihy. Je to naozaj len súbor poviedok, ktoré sa viac-menej stali jej blízkym alebo rodinným známym. Tie poviedky/príbehy nie sú zle napísané, preto som nechala 3 hviezdičky.

[Jessie · Rating 1 out of 5]

My mother passed away while in the midst of reading this book. I thought, how sad that she was never able to finish it. I decided to read it myself and honestly, I understand why she passed away. I have never been so bored in my life. This book read like a school textbook and it was a chore just to finish it. My one star is generous.

[Scott Meesey · Rating 2 out of 5]

No, not really ... more like 1.5 stars

(There are specific quotes and details about certain stories from this book in this review.)

Let me preface this review by saying; I really want to believe in ghosts, channeling, etc. I mean I REALLY, REALLY want to believe. However, in my life time as I stretched my mind (and, later, spirit) out in an attempt to access or experience such things, I always came back to explanations in nature, science, psychology and sociology.

This book did nothing to change that.

I will compare the reading of this book to that of "The Mothman Prophesies". A whole lot of "See?!?! SEE!?!?!" with very little substance. The difference is, John Keel (author of "Mothman") drew absolutely ZERO conclusions about what the phenomena he was investigating were caused by. Innuendo was all he had. Hazel M. Denning drew some very detailed conclusions.

I suppose another difference is that Mrs. Denning is a better writer ... or, perhaps, had a much better editor. Here's an example ... by the way, my wife says I'm "misinterpreting" this passage. I don't think I've misinterpreted it at all. I'm simply saying it was written or edited in such a way that people will draw parallels that aren't really there.

In Chapter 1 she lists a number of educated people who believe in reincarnation. Aristotle, Mohammed and Jesus were among the names. Then she asks; "How did they pay for having superior knowledge?" And then proceeds to talk of how they died. In that one sentence, I see a heavy implication that "superior knowledge" includes a belief in reincarnation. Whether it was Mrs. Denning or her editor who came up with the final sentence, it doesn't matter. There was most likely a realization that the question; "How did they pay for having THIS superior knowledge?" was tipping the hat too much. It would imply that those WITHOUT the belief in reincarnation are somewhat less educated or intelligent. In addition, those who are not savvy enough to catch that the word "this" was NOT included, will draw that parallel; believe in reincarnation is "superior knowledge". Hence, if you believe in reincarnation, you are superior to others.

Reading too much in? Maybe. It just falls into a pattern I've seen ... but that's for my blog.

While I was reading the sections dealing with spirits or cursed places influencing the well-being of others, I was reminded several times of my own life's events. (I won't get into details but I've had some serious problems in my past.) I found myself thinking; "Yup, felt that." "Yes, I remember that." And for each of those times there was something in my past (a past that began AT MY CONCEPTION and not before) and/or a decision I made that brought whatever feeling or thought was described. It was not a spirit attacking me or another person using mind abilities to tell me what to see.

In short, it was all ME. There is nothing I have felt, decided, voiced or acted upon that didn't start or end in me.

Another example she gives in the book is about 2 siblings (sister and brother). The brother had been cut out of their parents' will. Shortly after inheriting a fortune, the sister (and her son) started experiencing intrusive thoughts and images. Images like snakes writhing around the sister. To paraphrase one sentence; "Apparently, the brother knew about her fear of snakes."

Ya THINK? They grew up together and phobias like that start early.

Mrs. Denning goes on to make the conclusion that since the brother had traveled to places like India and had studied "mind control" there, he must be pushing these thoughts and images into the minds of his sister and nephew.

However, there is not one mention of anyone trying to determine whether or not the brother was actually doing anything. For all we know, he might have reformed himself and ended up teaching children to read in Uganda.

Mrs. Denning claims to have a rational and somewhat scientific mind. In this case, there was no science at all. Simply a hypothesis that matched what she already wanted to believe.

I also found Chapter 20 (about the paranormals' influence on crime) to be absolute bunk. It gives a reason for people to not feel TOO badly about what they've done. It was the hardest chapter to read in this book.

At the end of her book, Mrs. Denning challenges the reader to test her "hypothesis that there is purpose and design to human life." Well, there is and it's called individual decisions based on humanity's interaction with each other and the world.

I'm not buying it, Mrs. Denning. There's just not enough evidence to prove it no matter how many scientists you claim have called the evidence "incontrovertible". (She likes that word.)

In the end, I still follow the implications of Arthur C. Clarke's "Childhood's End"; if the paranormal does exist, we are seeing but a molecule of water on the tip of the iceberg. We couldn't possibly understand it because beings tapped into it would have a consciousness so vast and powerful we would be looked upon as humans look at the microscopic beings found on an apple in our orchard.

Which is to say; not much at all.

[M.E. Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great telling on how to make the ghosts go away

[Livia · Rating 1 out of 5]

They called, we came, spoke to ghost, made him go. Repeat over and over again. When serious issue happened (oh my, that man had buried his previous wife in the yard!!), no one said or did anything, including current wife. When some "definitely proven" story was mentioned, short searching over internet showed, that it was not proved at all :D sorry, after all I didn't believe a single word from it. And writing style was so bad, that it couldn't be considerate as "read for fun" neither.

[Granny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a unique perspective on hauntings, from a professional "ghost hunter" and psychic.

Have you ever wondered about the interactions between multiple spirits haunting the same location? We all know that some spirits are "earthbound" due to unresolved issues stemming from traumatic life events, but what about those hauntings by spirits whose lives were placid and unremarkable? What holds them to this plane? What about visitations from relatives or friends who one would expect to advance in their spiritual progress after death, why do they sometimes return? Isn't there a Summerland or heaven or something out there that they should be a part of? Ms. Denning offers her comments and conclusions on these and a number of other issues related to contact with those who have (or should have) "crossed over" based on years of practical experience.

Ms. Denning organizes the book's chapters around concrete examples from her work experience, which I find very useful. She also arranges the book (more or less) from the beginning of her career onward, which enables the reader to follow along with her as she explores the other realm and gives us the opportunity to see why she came to the conclusions she did on the nature of ghosts and haunting. I really enjoyed the sense of journeying with her; looking at the cases she was involved in, and growing in understanding reading about how she dealt with different situations.

Especially interesting to me was how the living influence the hauntings with their preconceptions, attitudes, and secrets of their own. This went a long way toward explaining why a particular home will be fiercely haunted while occupied by one family, then the hauntings will cease altogether when they move on. It also provided useful information to the lay seeker about what to do in cases of contact with the deceased, so that the interaction can be positive for both the living and the dead. If you have ever had an experience with someone on the other side and didn't quite know what to do, the varied examples of different contact situations the author's response to them can form the basis for more meaningful interactions in the future. The possibilities for healing are tremendously exciting.

Unlike many psychic investigators, Ms. Denning is not overly credulous, and is comfortable letting you know when her knowledge is incomplete or she just doesn't know. If you read much on this topic, you'll appreciate how rare that is.

[Ryan Ricks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Confusing with some contradictions resulting from her unclearly defined world view.

She ends several of the chapters asking the question of whether the preceding events really happened or were just mental projections. This undermines her whole thesis and calls into question her entire practice.

Also offensive is the idea that all the major breakthroughs in human thoughts come from spirits. This applies to all fields from music to science. I guess this means no one is truly smart or gifted, some just have the benefits of spiritual guidance and the average Joe does not.

Probably the worst is her ill defined spiritual buffet of a belief system. She just picks the ideas she likes and ignores what she doesn't. She seems to discredit Christian faith and other religions as misguided and ineffectual... except the one time when she was being strangled by an entity and invoked God and the Holy Spirit. So which is it?

She also seems to reject the idea that there is any punishment or consequences for misconduct or evil acts after death. Yet at the end she talks about a generic loving supreme being. I guess the supreme being isn't that loving if they don't hold people accountable and establish some sense of justice. What these beliefs really profess is an indifferent supreme being.

Some of the anecdotes are highly suspicious, such as the amputated leg casually thrown up against a heater, presumably at an American hospital. Really???

Probably the only real wisdom here is the hypothesis that people attract spirit energy with problems similar to their own, like anger et cetera.

My own perspective is a Christian one, meaning that these spiritual entities are demonic. No matter how helpful, their interactions are designed to deceive and point people away from Christ.

Regardless of your beliefs, I think you will find this book unsatisfying.

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are twenty-two chapters in this book covering a wide aspect of types of hauntings. A lot of the chapters deal with negative things like psychic attack, possession and malevolent entities.

Unfortunately I didn't find the book to be very interesting, and there was, in my opinion, too much emphasis on negative things. I also have some questions about the author's idea that a good bit of the bad behavior in kids is caused by possession.

I also found the book somewhat boring. Granted, I've read quite a few books about ghosts, so information tends to get repetitive, but it's still possible to read a book that is written in a manner that makes you want to continue reading. This was one of the books that I read in bits and pieces, not interested enough to keep on reading for very long at a time.

[Zombaby Cera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whether these accounts are actually fact or not - it
doesn't really matter.
Each case presents a great story about the
human condition, and about becoming your
complete self - whether you're alive or dead.
Even if you're not into the supernatural
(I know I'm pretty cynical at times)it's
still a good collection of fascinating
cases in the relatively new and growing
field of science known as parapsychology.

[Aljan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It might not be this books fault that I didn't like it. It just wasn't what I was looking for (just some fun true ghost stories) and wasn't what I expected from the title. More a study of the energy of the Universe, why spirits may be attracted to some people or situations or why, perhaps, some people stay on at all and less "real life encounters with troubled spirits".

[Angela Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, and I've given out copies of it to others. There is a lot of practical and helpful information in this book. If you want to believe in spirits as in the "dearly departed" this is a good place to start.

[Priscilla]

amazon.com

[Lisa Audino · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provided the author's experience with an over view and analysis of each case from a paranormal psychologist and psychologist perspective.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable for anyone who likes this genre.