CASEBOOK OF GHOSTS

by Elliott O'Donnell

The last of Elliott O’Donnell, books he wrote, and some of the more striking and revealing cases of hauntings gathered in a long, unique career.

Genres: Nonfiction

297 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Elliott O'Donnell was an Irish author known primarily for his books about ghosts. He claimed to have seen a ghost, described as an elemental figured covered with spots, when he was five years old. He also claimed to have been strangled by a mysterious phantom in Dublin.

He claimed descent from Irish chieftains of ancient times, including Niall of the Nine Hostages (the King Arthur of Irish folklore) and Red Hugh, who fought the English in the sixteenth century. O'Donnell was educated at Clifton College, England, and Queen's Service Academy, Dublin, Ireland.

In later life he became a ghost hunter, but first he traveled in America, working on a range in Oregon and becoming a policeman during the Chicago Railway Strike of 1894. Returning to England, he worked as a schoolmaster and trained for the theater. He served in the British army in World War I, and later acted on stage and in movies.

As he became known as an authority on the supernatural, he was called upon as a ghost hunter. He also lectured and broadcast (radio and television) on the paranormal in Britain and the United States. In addition to his more than 50 books, he wrote scores of articles and stories for national newspapers and magazines. He claimed "I have investigated, sometimes alone, and sometimes with other people and the press, many cases of reputed hauntings. I believe in ghosts but am not a spiritualist."

Reviews

[Michael John Paul McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Elliott O'Donnell, and being a ghost hunter myself was intrigued by his stories of true accounts of hauntings and ghosts. Some of the stories seemed a little far fetched, as in the last chapter of ghost werewolves. Strangely enough, I have had this book in my collection for many years without reading until now. I have since googled the author and read up about him. Some say his stories were just that, stories, and not actual reports of real investigations. I find that writing actual reports in story form is easier on the eye and easier to read. All in all, I enjoyed Casebook of Ghosts very much.

[Michael Jecks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book from my childhood. Still love it now!

[Anya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very nice collection of ghost stories, very entertaining.