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A Brief Guide to Ghost Hunting: How to Identify and Investigate Spirits, Poltergeists and Hauntings
There has been an upsurge in books, television programmes, films and websites exploring the reality or otherwise of the spirit world. Not since the founding of The Ghost Club in 1862 and the Society for Psychical Research in 1882 has ghost hunting been so popular. Television and the internet, in particular, have fueled this new level of interest, creating a modern media phenomenon that spans the globe. But while the demand for information is high, good information remains scarce. A Brief Guide to Ghost Hunting leads us through the process of ghost hunting, from initially weighing the first report, to choosing equipment, and investigating and identifying the phenomena, with an analysis of the best places to go looking, methods of contacting the spirit world, how to explain paranormal activity and, crucially, how to survive the encounter. However, it is also a book about ghost hunting itself, drawing on 130 years of research in the cavernous archives of the Society for Psychical Research and even older history to find the earliest ghost stories. A Ghost Hunting Survey makes use of interviews with those billing themselves as ghost hunters to find out their views, motivations and experiences. New and original research makes use of statistics to map the nebulous world of apparitions while a Preliminary Survey of Hauntings offers an analysis of 923 reported phenomena from 263 locations across the UK.This is, as far as possible, an objective presentation of ghosts and ghost hunting. It is no wonder that mainstream science largely refuses to deal with the it is too complicated. Without trying to convince you of any viewpoint, this book is intended to help you understand more.
- GenresSupernatural
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
9 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Leo Ruickbie
16 books8 followersDr Leo Ruickbie is a sociologist and historian specialising in the field of witchcraft, Wicca, magic and the occult. He hold a PhD from King's College, London, for his work on modern witchcraft, and is the author of several books including Witchcraft Out of the Shadows and Faustus: The Life and Times of a Renaissance Magician. In 2008 and 2009 he exhibited on the subject of witchcraft in France. As well as giving public talks and writing articles for Pagan Dawn, Watkins Review and ASANAS, he also runs the WICA (witchology.com) website.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 15, 2023
Are you a ghost-hunter?
Gone are the days of Carnacki, his electtric pentacle, and Samaa Rituals— through which abnatural entities could be detected, prevented, and banished. These are days of Elon Musk and Kaardashians. You need better aresenal as well as manuals.
Look no further! This book deals with all your requirements.
Following a lively 'Preface' it has the following sections~
1. Prepare
2. Equip
3. Investigate
4. Identify
5. Locate (1): What?
6. Locate (2): Where?
7. Contact
8. Explain
9. Survive
The book also contains a wealth of tables, 'Postscript', 'Endnotes' and 'Further Reading'.
Best thing about this book? It takes itself seriously, without going Full Monty. It contans relevant information as well as guidance for amateur people. It is NOT written by a vengeful puritan looking to admonish and abolish. Instead, the book takes a surprisingly sympathetic tone while staying somewhat tongue-in-cheek.
In short, the author seems to be the right person to accompany for the study of the next eldritch horror about to emerge. Better contact him.
And, along-with other equipments, get hold of this book.
Gone are the days of Carnacki, his electtric pentacle, and Samaa Rituals— through which abnatural entities could be detected, prevented, and banished. These are days of Elon Musk and Kaardashians. You need better aresenal as well as manuals.
Look no further! This book deals with all your requirements.
Following a lively 'Preface' it has the following sections~
1. Prepare
2. Equip
3. Investigate
4. Identify
5. Locate (1): What?
6. Locate (2): Where?
7. Contact
8. Explain
9. Survive
The book also contains a wealth of tables, 'Postscript', 'Endnotes' and 'Further Reading'.
Best thing about this book? It takes itself seriously, without going Full Monty. It contans relevant information as well as guidance for amateur people. It is NOT written by a vengeful puritan looking to admonish and abolish. Instead, the book takes a surprisingly sympathetic tone while staying somewhat tongue-in-cheek.
In short, the author seems to be the right person to accompany for the study of the next eldritch horror about to emerge. Better contact him.
And, along-with other equipments, get hold of this book.
February 4, 2017
The best book on the subject I have read.
Explanatory without being boring, this book covers everything; History, Haunted places throughout the world, Equipment and Classification, all with enough science and healthy skepticism to keep it interesting.
Explanatory without being boring, this book covers everything; History, Haunted places throughout the world, Equipment and Classification, all with enough science and healthy skepticism to keep it interesting.
November 29, 2017
It was very professional on the subject, well laid out and methodical. No hysteria or wild assumptions, just facts and eyewitness testimony. Entertaining but also very informative. A must read for anyone interested in the subject.
October 17, 2013
A Brief Guide to Ghost Hunting
by Dr. Leo Ruickbie
Running Press (2013 US)
first published by Constable + Robinson (2013 UK)
362 pages
ISBN 9781780338262
I don't believe in ghosts, but I used to when I was little, so the idea of ghost hunting has fascinated me for a long time. Mind you, never enough to actually go out and do it, since not believing in ghosts precludes me from expecting to find anything beyond a damp evening of uneventful lurking. But, hey, I won't begrudge anyone else from having a good time.
Dr. Leo Ruickbie may be a specialist in the field of witchcraft, but if A Brief Guide to Ghost Hunting is any indication, the man knows he way around a haunted house as well.
Divvied up into nine chapters, this so-called brief guide felt much more extensive than I originally expected. In order they are: Prepare, Equip, Investigate, Identify, Locate (What?), Locate (Where?), Contact, Explain, Survive. That's a pretty good way to go about any investigation I suppose, though that last one about surviving may be unique to ghost hunting. There's a lot about the paranormal packed in the 360+ pages of this book, with more footnotes, graphs, and recommended reading than you can shake an EMF meter at.
Given Ruickbie's nationality, the book has a UK-centric approach to the subject matter, but there's more than enough offered to American readers as an enticement, and ghosts and hauntings are such a universally accessible topic that the overall approach is highly digestible no matter where you call home.
The historical aspects of ghost hunting alone were fascinating in the early goings of the book, as was the highlights on specific pieces of equipment used in investigations. The science of ghosts may feel a bit of a contradiction, but apparently the people going to sites and getting knee-deep in this stuff aren't out there to just muck about. An enlightening bit of information came in how many of the more historic and reputable investigators are so bare-bones in their equipment. A pen, a pad, and as few distractions as possible, and they're ready to go.
There's focus on things like the Ouija board and infrared cameras, and a myriad of sightings and disturbances. Then there's a great chapter that explores all of the stringently logical and evidence-based explanations and debunking of hauntings and sightings. There's a great bit about something called the quantum poltergeist and how the human mind can work to manipulate physical objects, which in turn could be perceived as a ghostly event. It sounds utterly bonkers, but it appeared in New Scientist. Then there's the good old-fashioned chicanery of hoaxes and pranks.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, it doesn't really matter as far as this book goes, because the catalog of information is just a banquet for the imagination. Dr. Ruickbie has another book called A Brief Guide to the Supernatural, which takes a broader look at all things paranormal, and if it's as enjoyable to pore through as this book was, I will have to put it on my to-be-read pile.
by Dr. Leo Ruickbie
Running Press (2013 US)
first published by Constable + Robinson (2013 UK)
362 pages
ISBN 9781780338262
I don't believe in ghosts, but I used to when I was little, so the idea of ghost hunting has fascinated me for a long time. Mind you, never enough to actually go out and do it, since not believing in ghosts precludes me from expecting to find anything beyond a damp evening of uneventful lurking. But, hey, I won't begrudge anyone else from having a good time.
Dr. Leo Ruickbie may be a specialist in the field of witchcraft, but if A Brief Guide to Ghost Hunting is any indication, the man knows he way around a haunted house as well.
Divvied up into nine chapters, this so-called brief guide felt much more extensive than I originally expected. In order they are: Prepare, Equip, Investigate, Identify, Locate (What?), Locate (Where?), Contact, Explain, Survive. That's a pretty good way to go about any investigation I suppose, though that last one about surviving may be unique to ghost hunting. There's a lot about the paranormal packed in the 360+ pages of this book, with more footnotes, graphs, and recommended reading than you can shake an EMF meter at.
Given Ruickbie's nationality, the book has a UK-centric approach to the subject matter, but there's more than enough offered to American readers as an enticement, and ghosts and hauntings are such a universally accessible topic that the overall approach is highly digestible no matter where you call home.
The historical aspects of ghost hunting alone were fascinating in the early goings of the book, as was the highlights on specific pieces of equipment used in investigations. The science of ghosts may feel a bit of a contradiction, but apparently the people going to sites and getting knee-deep in this stuff aren't out there to just muck about. An enlightening bit of information came in how many of the more historic and reputable investigators are so bare-bones in their equipment. A pen, a pad, and as few distractions as possible, and they're ready to go.
There's focus on things like the Ouija board and infrared cameras, and a myriad of sightings and disturbances. Then there's a great chapter that explores all of the stringently logical and evidence-based explanations and debunking of hauntings and sightings. There's a great bit about something called the quantum poltergeist and how the human mind can work to manipulate physical objects, which in turn could be perceived as a ghostly event. It sounds utterly bonkers, but it appeared in New Scientist. Then there's the good old-fashioned chicanery of hoaxes and pranks.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, it doesn't really matter as far as this book goes, because the catalog of information is just a banquet for the imagination. Dr. Ruickbie has another book called A Brief Guide to the Supernatural, which takes a broader look at all things paranormal, and if it's as enjoyable to pore through as this book was, I will have to put it on my to-be-read pile.
February 15, 2017
A thorough overview of the field with a firm grounding in reality. Dr Ruickbie entertains the possibility of supernatural explanations with a light respectful humour. His research is impeccable and broad. He is also an adept story-teller who never takes his tales seriously. This said, ts is the perfect semi-skeptic's guide to the practicalities of search for ghosts. Highly recommended.
April 25, 2016
If you want to be a Ghost Hunter then this is the book for you.
Ruickbie goes through a history of ghost hunting, looks at the tools you will need and how you should conduct an investigation.
I found the book to be interesting, well researched and provides a solid understanding of the craft of ghost hunting
Ruickbie goes through a history of ghost hunting, looks at the tools you will need and how you should conduct an investigation.
I found the book to be interesting, well researched and provides a solid understanding of the craft of ghost hunting
April 28, 2016
Some parts like describing the ghost chasers equipment was a little dry and over my head, but it was enjoyable hearinig the various little ghost stories from around the world and the difficulties ghost hunters face.
July 12, 2017
This book is an interesting read - it's a bit oddly formatted at times, and has a few tangents and doesn't always finish points, and there's some repeats, but it's informative and provides a fairly level perspective, and lots of background.
Read
January 25, 2015using this for research
April 22, 2016
The book covers the the history of Ghost Hunting, and can be of interest to those wanting to know the roots of Ghost Hunting. It's sections on fieldwork are rudimentary, but serviceable.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews