About Ghosts: A Useful Handbook

by Jan Olandese

A convenient, original and frankly fascinating handbook about admittedly a speculative topic. Many types of ghosts are discussed, as well as possible wider meaning of ghosts in terms of culture, psychology and spirituality. From Needy Ghosts, to Dangerous Ghosts, to Ghosts Out of Time, to Ghosts of Contagion, Ghosts in Dreams and more! There's also a chapter on Ghost Photography (and plenty of antique ghostly photographs throughout the book!). In another chapter, the author has compiled from interviews, shared stories, and her own experience, a collection of real ghost tales - what good is a ghost book without a few of those! If you like ghosts you'll love this book! The author is an Episcopal priest and chaplain who has always been intrigued by ghosts and the paranormal; partly because of her own experience, partly because so many people shared their stories with her. She once wrote a column which featured interviews of people who had had a wide range of paranormal experiences. This led her to conclude that ghosts and other phenomena are not that unusual, and are much more common than we assume. Also, that one need not be especially psychic to have a paranormal more a matter of being at the right place at the right time. The author has a blog about ghosts and related topics () and has written two collections of (fictional) ghost stories, which are both eerie and witty (Death Be Not Ghosts Haunts & Tall Tales for Restless Nights, and Rest In Ghosts Tall Tales & Horror Stories, both on amazon). She has also taught seminars about Spirituality and Fiction, the Spirituality of the Ghost Story, and the Spirituality of the Paranormal. She knows her ghosts! Join her on this intriguing journey as she offers her educated but down-to-earth perspective about ghosts (and their issues)!

Kindle Edition

First published June 21, 2017

Reviews

[Millie Thom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like so many people, I’ve always been fascinated by ghosts – or rather, the idea of ghosts. I’ve never seen one myself, but I keep an open mind and continue to wonder. And ghost stories continue to intrigue me.
Author Jan Olandese is highly qualified and experienced in the subject of paranormal activity. As an ordained priest and chaplain she has listened to stories from numerous people, as well as experiencing incidents herself. In this little book, she explores the common elements and themes of ghost stories and I can say, I found it both enlightening and interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s sense of humour, too!
“About Ghosts” does just what the title says, and presents a thorough look at ghosts and how they are perceived. The author first carries us through the different ‘types’ of ghosts (which I had previously lumped together as ‘good’ or ‘bad’!) before moving on to explore ghost photography and why ghostly photographs were more popular at certain times, historically. As to be expected, the question of ‘fakes’ is also discussed.
Other interesting themes are also explored, including the occurrence of ghosts in dreams, before we finish off with an intriguing selection of brief, ghostly tales collected by the author from interviews she has held, as well as a few incidents experienced by the author herself. The examples of incidents experienced by real people (as opposed to fictional ones) finished the book off nicely.
I found this book to be a great read and a useful guide to ghosts and ghostly behaviour. It will certainly make me think the next time I read a ghost story. Jan Olandese has also written two collections of fictional ghost stories, and I look forward to reading them.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it, but then, I wrote it! A group of short essays discussing different sorts of ghosts and their characteristics as well as their greater meaning in terms of the psyche, culture and spirituality. Accompanied by true accounts of ghost experiences and antique "spirit photography," it's a brief yet comprehensive review. Recommend for those fascinated by ghosts! Original perspectives about the world of ghosts!

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book of ghosts, from categories to anecdotes. The part where it discusses pets seeing ghosts struck a chord with me. I have a terrier that, from time to time, will stare up into space as if he sees “angels” and whimpers sof