The Unexplained: Ghosts

by Adam Allsuch Boardman

Genres: Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

Published August 5, 2025

About the author

Adam Allsuch Boardman is an illustrator based in Leeds, who recently completed his BA Illustration degree at Leeds College of Art. He has worked on a variety of projects including merchandise for the Hyde Park Picture House, and producing imagery for several museum projects. Fuelled by an interest in the trivial, and a fastidious study of detail, Adam enjoys illustrating a variety of subjects.

Reviews

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This slim eye-catching nonfiction look at ghosts reads like it’s written by an exacting and interested skeptic who's thoughtfully created hip, digital graphics to engage and inform. Hot pink endpapers give way to a tidy collage of small spooky pseudo-photos, a table of contents, and a helpful introduction. Boardman then supplies definitions of ghosts, myths, legends, and hauntings, along with practical explanations for all these mysterious phenomena.  Proceeding chronologically, he offers a look at ghostly beliefs in ancient times before moving on to the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. All of this information is interspersed with micro-ghost tales, including stories about London’s 18th century Cock Lane house, supposedly haunted by Fanny Lynes, and Calico Ghost Town in California. Boardman has collected unusual sightings from all over the world and across time; although many are in England (his home country), there’s also information about a haunted airport in Thailand and a spooky lighthouse in France. Other cultures’ spiritual beliefs receive brief, respectful treatments, with Boardman employing a measured and scientific (but playful) tone throughout. Haunted possessions, transportation apparitions, phantom animals, and debunkings/ghostbusting efforts all receive two-page spreads. The sharp, neat infographic-style illustrations enhance the content immeasurably. The book closes with a helpful glossary and index. This book will be an absolute joy to read or browse and students looking for solid information will love it, either as a recreational read or as a starting point for research. Boardman has produced other books in a similar vein, including An Illustrated History of UFOs (2020) and An Illustrated History of Urban Legends (2024). Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Amberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started and finished date – 08.10.25 to 10.10.25.
My rating – Three Stars.
I did enjoy is book and I found is book was interesting, but I didn't love it also I think people who like a Natural History of Ghosts by Roger Clarke or there's a Ghost in this house by Oliver Jeffers may like is book. The book was stunning, and I really love this cover. The writing was okay, and the writing was easy follow also the ending of book was well done. The information in the book was interesting, but I wanted author going to more detail.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really what I was expecting.