The Haunting of Louisiana

by Barbara Stillery

Based on the PBS documentary of the same name that aired across the country, The Haunting of Louisiana highlights many of the stories that would not fit into the one-hour television program.

Genres: Nonfiction, Horror

223 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Barbara Sillery is a television producer and writer who earned a Bachelor's degree in theater and speech. Sillery and award-winning photographer, Oak Lea, are co-owners of Keepsake Productions, Inc., which specializes in cultural documentaries. Danielle Genter, whose photographs have appeared in documentaries and magazines, also contributed to the book."

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Haunting of Louisiana by Barbara Stillery

The Haunting of Louisiana is a novel that lists the popular haunts of Louisiana. The history of when each residence was built, the original owner and how they met their untimely deaths are quite intriguing. Some of the notorious haunts include the Myrtles Plantation, Jean Lafitte the Pirate, Delphine DE Laurie and Marie Lebeau to name a few. Also, the author has included in the back the addresses of all the places that she had mentioned in her book. So that those of a curious nature could investigate on their own to prove to themselves if their are indeed ghosts wandering about.

[Dinanita · Rating 2.25 out of 5]

I read to page 152/215. After chapter 9 'The Capitol Ghost', the stories started to fall flat to me. The book has made me more interested in the families of the plantation owners, and all the drama, dysfunction, and mysterious deaths that seemed to have plagued them. However, there were just a lot of formatting, grammar, and citations issues for me. The lack of investigative reporting and fact verification also left much to be desired. The stories kept an overall light tone, making it an easy read for such a grim topic, but also gave it a watered-down feeling as well. I'm sure there are other books discussing this specific topic, and would not recommend this book to others. I bought it at a the Audubon Zoo's gift shop, and it jonestly should've stayed there.

[Alana Cash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part nonfiction book, part guide-book, it's descriptions made me want to take a trip to Louisiana and travel the river delta visiting the plantations that are still standing just to see them and not necessarily to prove if the stories are true. There are plenty of stories about New Orleans as well and the description of Arnaud's restaurantwas fascinating.

The stories toward the end of the book are more indepth than the beginning.

[James Bowman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uneven book of Louisiana ghost tales. Starts off with low-hanging fruit like the Myrtles Plantation, but gradually improves as the book goes on, with some pretty solid chapters in the middle. Unfortunately, the last few chapters mostly focus on the history behind Louisiana sites and attractions, with only token attention to any local ghosts. (B-)

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The histories in this book are amazing and well worth the read, although the sensationalist language gets old in places (you can just hear the narrator from the "Haunted Mansion" reading some of this). Definitely worthwhile, and enjoyable, but as my spouse put it, "rather 'twee.'"

[Dudley Stadler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be the haunting of New Orleans. The book is an anthology of stories about ghosts mostly in New Orleans. Most of these are stories I already knew but they were well written.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little primer on both the history of Louisiana and the ghosts that (may or may not) abide there.

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little light research for a Halloween-night cemetery tour in our town. I was happy to see that this book had been referenced several times in Dan Asfar's Ghost Stories of Louisiana, so figure I had made the right investment. Of course, Lyle Saxon's Gumbo Ya-Ya is likewise a must-read, but that third source doesn't have the specific details of the stories that we needed for our tours. I would heartily recommend all three to anyone who wants to read up on the Pelican State's many hauntings. While New Orleans may deservedly be celebrated as "the most haunted city in America," it's given a good run by the other cities, towns, parishes and back country regions and bayous of the state. Happy Halloween, everyone!

[B. Barron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Af first I thought this was going to be a boring tour of every B&B marketing a ghost attraction, but then it began giving reference books and songs and... well I really enjoyed it.
Yes, too much pandering - but enough solid references and good stories to get a good rating.
I would love to know what my friends living in and near the Big Easy.

[Timothy]

Nicely written

[Margie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've wanted to read this book since our trip to Louisiana to attend the ALA Conference. It finally arrived through Interlibrary Loan. I hope I'll be ready for Halloween when I'm done with this.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for a ghostly yarn,not the most historically accurate.

[Keisha (keisha_reads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked up this on a trip to Louisiana. I'd say read it if you're taking a trip there, it gives some good history and some fun ghost tales.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going to New Orleans soon