Poltergeists: And other hauntings

by Rupert Matthews

Poltergeists like causing havoc. They throw things around in people's homes and play tricks with lights and household appliances. Mysterious voices, insistent knocking and weird shrieking can announce their presence, or sometimes it's peculiar smells with no apparent source. One day you might even see a poltergeist as it turns into an apparition before your eyes. This book is an exploration of the phenomenon from earliest times to the present day that highlights the variety of activities of these most frightening of phantoms, the efforts of researchers to document and understand the phenomenon and the explanations that have been put forward.

Genres: Horror, Ghosts, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Matthew Sherin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was pretty good. It was interesting and showed several "true" stories containing paranormal events from around the 1600s to the 1970s. My main problem with this book is that it tries unsuccessfully to be the best of both worlds. It isn't a storybook to read at night, it won't scare you to the point of trembling or wondering whatever that noise in your house was. It is a collection of supposedly true stories containing evidence of the paranormal. However, there is no real evidence, and no sources or proven research. The author describes a "true" story with a base of the paranormal, but provides no sources or research. That being said I found it an interesting book which i read to the very last page, but don't pick this book up expecting to find definite evidence of the paranormal or ground-breaking discoveries in the field. Also, do not pick up this book to read at night, alone at home. There are far better fiction ghost books that will leave you trembling and afraid to step into the dark hallway outside your door. I purchased this book for 5 dollars and for that, it was a good steal. But i would not pay much more than that for this book. You will read it, and then it will sit on your bookshelf for a couple of years before you give it a quick scan through and then donate it.

[Brad Tilbe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Written by an ex conservative police officer this was more edited that I would have liked.

[_____Kat_____ · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stories in the book are all very similar and reading them all felt like I read the same story several times over. I understand that the author was trying to show similarities between poltergeist activities, but it just got so repetitive. Also, for me personally, the writing in the book and the stories felt a bit scattered. 

This book reads like a short essay that one would write in school. Very objective with no opinions. To the point where I have finished the book and still have no idea what the author's opinions on poltergeist are. 

If you're looking for a scary book to read this is not the book. 

The book honestly seems like a wanna be early 2000s ghost story show. 

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Focused on English haunts. Often confused different styles of hauntings -- some of the cases weren't poltergeists at all. Took two goes to finish the book. Also, this book covered a famous case and failed to note the Warrens. How can you leave out, arguably, the most influential investigators of our time? (Even before the Conjuring franchise, they were well known and respected investigators.) This book was totally worth the $5 bargain price at the bookstore. However, it left this ghost lover unimpressed.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course I had to pick this one up and wasn't disappointed: the other world, classic ghost apparitions, demons and witches, holy visitations, witchcraft, the Bell Witch, table turners and physical mediums, classic Victorian hauntings, enter the investigators, major investigations, phantom nudgers and other physical hauntings, theories and explanations... the author comes up with some very intriguing stuff. Many illustrations and photos too, plus an eerie atmosphere while reading. Really recommended!