The Haunted South: Where Ghosts Still Roam

by Nancy Roberts

Nancy Roberts has often been described to as the "First Lady of American Folklore" and the title is well deserved. Throughout her decades-long career, Roberts documented supernatural experiences and interviewed hundreds of people about their recollections of encounters with the supernatural.

This nationally renowned writer began her undertaking in this ghostly realm as a freelance writer for the Charlotte Observer. Encouraged by Carl Sandburg, who enjoyed her stories and articles, Roberts wrote her first book in 1958. Aptly called a "custodian of the twilight zone" by Southern Living magazine, Roberts based her suspenseful stories on interviews and her rich knowledge of American folklore. Her stories were always rooted in history, which earned her a certificate of commendation from the American Association of State and Local History for her books on the Carolinas and Appalachia.

Genres: Ghosts, Paranormal

81 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile]

A well-crafted collection of Southern ghost stories and legends. The author was diligent in researching the history and lives of people who are no longer around to tell us themselves.

[Loraine]

I usually enjoy reading Nancy Roberts' stuff more, but perhaps the age on this one is what kept me from enjoying it more than I did? Either way, I've read her retellings of stories that were a thousand times better written than this one. :(

[Sally Kilpatrick]

Pro: At least this collection is told in the form of a ghost story. Too often I pick up these collections, and it's a dull recitation of details. Look. I'm here for the story. On that score, Roberts delivers. These stories read much in the same way you'd hear a story around a campfire.

Con: A lot of these stories truck in some of the same stereotypes, i.e. Native American curses. Not too many Civil War stories in this one. This is, of course, par for the course with Southern ghost stories.

My favorite one was quite possibly the story about the haunted car. Or maybe I got excited because the characters were off to Memphis. Who's to say?

[Jamie Brame]

Outstanding

Nancy Roberts had a gift for not just reporting a place as haunted, but she also told a good, spooky story about the haunting! A ghost isn't much of a ghost without a good story to go with it!

[Tricia Thompson]

I love ghost stories that are told as truth and have history evolved.

[isa]

‘why is this plantation haunted?’ well i don’t know, nancy.

[Terrell Tucker]

Another fun one!

[Sandy Neal]

Interesting stories based on ghost sightings and the history behind the sites.

[Reid]

Ms Roberts used to visit my elementary school and tell these stories. One of the spooky cornerstones of my life.