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Disembodied Voices: True Accounts of Hidden Beings
THEY KNOW YOUR NAME! Voices are calling us--voices without an attached form. Encounters with these disembodied voices warn us, haunt us, confuse us, inspire us . . . and scare us. For good reason . . . Explore spine-chilling, true stories from investigations and real occurrences throughout history that expose disembodied voices. Objectively and thoroughly presented, the evidence and theories shine light on possible reasons and agendas for these voices and where they might originate. Gain insight into what they are and what we may be able to learn from them. Sometimes they inspire great acts; other times they lead us astray. Are they forgotten woodland deities? Is it an ancient evil from the days of Eden? Is there a single intelligence behind them all . . . or perhaps we shouldn't look too deeply . . . or else . . . Famous reports from history as well as never-before-published reports of disembodied voices from the everyday lives of common people are discussed. But what about you? When the voices call, will you answer? Hair-raising conclusions found here will make you think twice.
- GenresNonfictionHorror
176 pages, Hardcover
First published August 28, 2020
9 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 11, 2024
A deep dive into the hidden history of voices from unseen beings, this book is part journal, part editorial, and part philosophy. The audiobook is read by the author and goes into detail about interviews and articles regarding people who have both resisted and given in, to voices calling them into the unknown.
This book feels hard to review in that on one hand it's very well-researched. Marczenko has put a lot of energy into interviewing, and sourcing, his data. It's a very fascinating deep dig into the concept of the "hidden voice" that is often seen in horror stories, folk tales, and mythology. We range from indigenous American stories of whistling and voices at night, to myths from India, and other parts of the globe. Dispersed throughout we have reports of missing people who heard voices calling them into the woods, to people who voices calling them to action, to people who resisted the call and lived to tell the tale. This part was highly enjoyable and I appreciated the work that went into many very obscure stories.
My only quibble that keeps it from being a 5-star book is that it is not objective in its writing. This is honestly a personal preference, I like to hear both sides of a story before making a clear decision. I didn't walk away from this book convinced that beings are living in trees who are abducting people, but I did walk away curious and wanting to look into the subject more about these voice phenomena. I would recommend this book, but only to people who are like-minded to the text, as the more factual reader might find this read much more frustrating.
Huge props to Marczenko for following his passion and putting it to work researching a subject I wish I could find more on.
This book feels hard to review in that on one hand it's very well-researched. Marczenko has put a lot of energy into interviewing, and sourcing, his data. It's a very fascinating deep dig into the concept of the "hidden voice" that is often seen in horror stories, folk tales, and mythology. We range from indigenous American stories of whistling and voices at night, to myths from India, and other parts of the globe. Dispersed throughout we have reports of missing people who heard voices calling them into the woods, to people who voices calling them to action, to people who resisted the call and lived to tell the tale. This part was highly enjoyable and I appreciated the work that went into many very obscure stories.
My only quibble that keeps it from being a 5-star book is that it is not objective in its writing. This is honestly a personal preference, I like to hear both sides of a story before making a clear decision. I didn't walk away from this book convinced that beings are living in trees who are abducting people, but I did walk away curious and wanting to look into the subject more about these voice phenomena. I would recommend this book, but only to people who are like-minded to the text, as the more factual reader might find this read much more frustrating.
Huge props to Marczenko for following his passion and putting it to work researching a subject I wish I could find more on.
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March 29, 2023This book gave me the creeps, but it's good to know the author cared enough to share his concerns with the rest of us. I know many (most?) people think so many experiences can be explained naturally or scientifically, but when looked into more deeply...no they can't. I'm one of the believers, even though I haven't had many unexplained experiences; but enough to believe in the possibility. If you're interested in the unexplained, or have had your name called an something unseen, read this book.
March 30, 2024
Very interesting tying together of a lot of ideas that I wouldn't have thought of before. Engaging and never boring. Left me thinking more about the hidden world around us, very thought provoking and ultimately chilling. Gives potential name to something that I think we all know is lurking but are scared to admit to. If you have an interest in David Paulides work you should find this a satisfying read.
June 2, 2021
Some terrific and scary stories. Nice to have these encounters in one place to wonder what is going on.
November 30, 2023
One of the most disturbing books I've read.
October 26, 2020
A fascinating examination of true accounts of unexplained voices heard by people all over the world and trying to name their sources. Inspired by the author’s own personal experience, Disembodied Voices focuses on voices that have no visible speaker: they seem to come from nowhere. Or do they?
The extensive time and research that Marczenko has dedicated to this niche topic is evident throughout the entire book. While trying to explain the unexplainable, the author has explored every possible concept and reasoning behind why people hear things without having an understanding for where the sounds are coming from. The book examines folklore, science, religion, mental illness, and urban legends in an attempt to name the thing behind the voice. When attempting such a grand feat, examination from all angles gives further credit to the things we are quick to write-off.
The author has interviewed people who experienced these voices firsthand to reach the most genuine accounts of their presence. Marczenko has left no stone unturned and for that reason, has created an all-encompassing book of what it means to “hear things”.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of these accounts and found myself getting the chills as I did! Some of these stories really stay with you. I personally would have preferred more stories about hearing voices with less of a focus on missing person cases because I felt so drawn in by the concept of voices with no source. It seems like missing person cases that remain unsolved could be a study topic for another book completely. The overall tone of writing is quite informal, giving the reader the feeling of listening to a spooky story around a campfire with friends. I’m never going to walk through a forest at night the same way again. This book has opened my eyes and ears to things I hadn’t ever considered to be aware of... a warning I will be sure to take heed of.
Thank you Schiffer Publishing for my review copy!
The extensive time and research that Marczenko has dedicated to this niche topic is evident throughout the entire book. While trying to explain the unexplainable, the author has explored every possible concept and reasoning behind why people hear things without having an understanding for where the sounds are coming from. The book examines folklore, science, religion, mental illness, and urban legends in an attempt to name the thing behind the voice. When attempting such a grand feat, examination from all angles gives further credit to the things we are quick to write-off.
The author has interviewed people who experienced these voices firsthand to reach the most genuine accounts of their presence. Marczenko has left no stone unturned and for that reason, has created an all-encompassing book of what it means to “hear things”.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of these accounts and found myself getting the chills as I did! Some of these stories really stay with you. I personally would have preferred more stories about hearing voices with less of a focus on missing person cases because I felt so drawn in by the concept of voices with no source. It seems like missing person cases that remain unsolved could be a study topic for another book completely. The overall tone of writing is quite informal, giving the reader the feeling of listening to a spooky story around a campfire with friends. I’m never going to walk through a forest at night the same way again. This book has opened my eyes and ears to things I hadn’t ever considered to be aware of... a warning I will be sure to take heed of.
Thank you Schiffer Publishing for my review copy!
November 12, 2020
This is not a subject matter that I’m usually in to and I am the first to say (and many people will agree!) that I am usually such a skeptic about this stuff! What enticed me to read this was the true historical accounts. After reading Disembodied Voices my eyes were truly opened to a whole new world! It was very well researched and very interesting. It captures a huge breadth of subjects and doesn’t leave any stone unturned. I was hooked within the first few pages by the author’s personal experience and his journey in exploring and discovering what has been plaguing him for so many years!
I have to admit I got chills when reading and many of the stories were quite scary and stayed with me for a while!
You will want to read this book! It is a perfect accompaniment to chilly fall campfire!
I have to admit I got chills when reading and many of the stories were quite scary and stayed with me for a while!
You will want to read this book! It is a perfect accompaniment to chilly fall campfire!
October 19, 2021
Wellllllllll.........
It definitely wasn't the horror book I had psyched myself up to read, that's for sure.
Hearing voices rides a fine line between horrifying and a trip to a medical facility. Most of us feel - and the general consensus is - that hearing voices isn't normal and isn't real. But that doesn't mean it doesn't exist, does it? I mean, when you straight up think of it, this author pointed out that some of our most learned and trusted early philosophers experienced it and the religion of christianity had an awful lot of their saints and figures getting 'messages' from God.
This book points to an existence of spooky 'otherness' that is around us and how these voices are not always up to good things. Usually hidden by night or darkness, they reach out to people and oft times send them to an unsavory death or have them disappear entirely. The author did his homework and there are many examples of similar circumstances worldwide and across many cultures.
It makes for an interesting read, but it isn't that spine tingling.
I'll have to resort to finding another spooky book to round out my October horror read! One that will really make me hear voices and things that go bump in the night!
It definitely wasn't the horror book I had psyched myself up to read, that's for sure.
Hearing voices rides a fine line between horrifying and a trip to a medical facility. Most of us feel - and the general consensus is - that hearing voices isn't normal and isn't real. But that doesn't mean it doesn't exist, does it? I mean, when you straight up think of it, this author pointed out that some of our most learned and trusted early philosophers experienced it and the religion of christianity had an awful lot of their saints and figures getting 'messages' from God.
This book points to an existence of spooky 'otherness' that is around us and how these voices are not always up to good things. Usually hidden by night or darkness, they reach out to people and oft times send them to an unsavory death or have them disappear entirely. The author did his homework and there are many examples of similar circumstances worldwide and across many cultures.
It makes for an interesting read, but it isn't that spine tingling.
I'll have to resort to finding another spooky book to round out my October horror read! One that will really make me hear voices and things that go bump in the night!
July 14, 2024
DNF after chapter 2. I was expecting a fun paranormal investigation of the phenomenon of unexplained voices, especially those that seem to mimic others.
Instead the author starts with murders who claimed to hear voices telling them to kill. He starts with the Son of Sam, who has recanted and has been pretty much proven that he was only trying for an insanity defense. This made me question the author's credibility and credulity right away.
He then follows up with two killers with documented schizophrenia. The second of whom has improved greatly with medical intervention and now recognizes his illness for what it was.
But instead of giving credence to decades of medical and psychiatric science and the experience of the men themselves, HE CLAIMS THAT MAYBE THE VOICES WERE FROM A PARANORMAL EXTERNAL FORCE. I'm sorry but this is SO fucking offensive, to individuals living with schizophrenia, to the victims of these men and their families, even to the men themselves.
Fuck off with that bullshit. This represents the worst side of the paranormal community, who want EVERYTHING to have a paranormal explanation even where a perfectly good one already exists.
Lost all possible credibility in the first chapter. I'm not sticking around for any more.
Instead the author starts with murders who claimed to hear voices telling them to kill. He starts with the Son of Sam, who has recanted and has been pretty much proven that he was only trying for an insanity defense. This made me question the author's credibility and credulity right away.
He then follows up with two killers with documented schizophrenia. The second of whom has improved greatly with medical intervention and now recognizes his illness for what it was.
But instead of giving credence to decades of medical and psychiatric science and the experience of the men themselves, HE CLAIMS THAT MAYBE THE VOICES WERE FROM A PARANORMAL EXTERNAL FORCE. I'm sorry but this is SO fucking offensive, to individuals living with schizophrenia, to the victims of these men and their families, even to the men themselves.
Fuck off with that bullshit. This represents the worst side of the paranormal community, who want EVERYTHING to have a paranormal explanation even where a perfectly good one already exists.
Lost all possible credibility in the first chapter. I'm not sticking around for any more.
August 22, 2022
This book had a lot of potential but felt short with its repetitiveness, overemphasis on the author's experience and lack of structure. Maybe my expectations were different from what the author intended to write. One thing I must mention is that clearly a lot of research went into this book which is shown through the many examples the author presented. However, it did not have that ''spooky'' and thrilling aspect I was expecting, it was rather bland.
October 31, 2025
One of my favorite books to read around Halloween time.
June 11, 2024
Rather liked this book. I was familiar with quite a lot of the historical and anthropological references in it but the way the author has tied it all together in an attempt to resolve an experience in his youth is very good. At about 12 he heard a disembodied voice calling his name from the woods beyond his garden. He did not go but it spurred an interest in the phenomenon. He discusses Biblical and historical events and folklore from all over the world. The most impressive section though are anecdotes from modern times and he has made an effort to speak to many witnesses personally. A thought provoking and sometimes disturbing read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews