Ghost Sightings

by Brian Innes

Ghost Sightings is a thorough study of a subject that has intrigued, amazed, and terrified mankind throughout history.Ghost Sightings is a wide-ranging guide to ghostly phenomena from all parts of the globe up to 2015. It covers cases throughout many of them famous, others less well known. It examines malign spirits and gentle ghosts, apparitions, wraiths, haunted houses, and spooky urban myths. Each entry gives details of the date, location, and course of events, as well as providing a historical context and analytical assessment of the phenomenon. The book's extensive appendices provide fascinating additional information, including the differing roles of ghosts in the world's religions, an exploration of out-of-body and near-death experiences, and modern theories offered to explain ghosts by figures such as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung.

Genres: Paranormal, Nonfiction, Ghosts

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Amanda Hupe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s kick off October with some ghost stories! Ghost Sightings by Brian Innes is a collection of paranormal sightings throughout the world and history. The book is broken up into 9 chapters and they all vary. From Ghosts of Centuries Past to Haunted Houses to Urban Myths, this collection will get any paranormal fan excited! What I did appreciate is that this could be easily enjoyable for the non-believers as well as the ghost believers. The author took stories from a number of cultures. This collection gives the detail of the sighting, who were the victims, and the timeline. Then he provides his own commentary on whether or not these tales are likely or unlikely. In fact, a few of the stories are debunked. One of the most famous tales that are in this collection are the stories of the Amityville house and the ghosts of Salem deemed to be the ghost of those who were executed for witchcraft. My favorites involved stories from history and haunted houses. Some of my favorites are The Chase Tomb and The Green Lady of Fyvie. The Chase Tomb is about a family tomb in Barbados and every time it is opened the coffins have been thrown around in disarray, only there is no way anyone could have gone into the tomb. The Green Lady of Fyvie takes place in Scotland that tells a story about infidelity and a secret, locked chamber that no one can seem to find.

I was never frightened while reading these stories, nor did I get any “chills.” Most of the stories feel like they have logical explanations. I have to say, there are several stories in this book that I would love Michael Flanagan to adapt to Netflix. If you aren’t familiar with Michael Flanagan, he created the Netflix series, The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor which was based off on The Turn of the Screw. I am just saying, there are TONS of possibilities here and I am here for all of it! I rate this collection 4 out of 5 stars.

[Eule Luftschloss · Rating 3 out of 5]

trigger warning
mention of: suicide, domestic violence, child death, torture

What it says on the tin: This book is a compilation of ghost sightings.
Each entry is dated somewhat, it says where it happened and who investigated or reported the occurence. Then there is a short description, followed by a commentary by the author.
In the beginning, it is a commentary, but as the cases progress, he usually tells you something else he found out while researching, either about the case or about similiar entities.

What annoyed me most was the formatting, which will make sense if you have a physical copy, but is not suitable for an ebook. The file is big, owing to the many, many pictures, and scrolling took ages. The editor did not take care to end sentences when a picture is near or the column would break off, often interluding different texts in there.
So, if you're interested in this, I urge you to pick up a physical copy if possible.

The most noteworthy cases were all in there: Bell witch, Amityville Horror, even the Rosenheim lawyer firm. This is a great way to get to know published cases and then, if one interests you especially, you can do your own research. Because yes, there are no footnotes, no further reading suggestions, no sources. You'll have to do your own research.

If this hadn't come to me at the start of my yearly halloween mood, I probably would have quit and dnf-ed this earlier.
The arc was provided by the publisher.

Edit: The editiorial director reached out to me and told me due to the issues I mentioned, this will only be available in print format and all the technical issues I spoke about only occur in the arc version, so please, don't take that too much into account when thinking about reading this!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally ghostly! This book is a compilation of ghost stories grouped by various categories such as Haunted Houses, Gentle Ghosts, and Mischievous Spirits. The format is rather simple: the description of a recorded ghost interaction, some commentary about the story, and a related illustration. This continuing format is sometimes interspersed with a shorter illustrated blurb of a story. There is extended narrative to start the book and more at the end.

Obviously, with this book you are going to be reading a lot of ghost stories. I am a fan of ghostlore so this was fun. The repetitive format made the book drag at times, but the content of the stories kept my interest. The illustrations, especially the many photographs, are fun and interesting. I think the book would have been stronger without the commentary though, some of which stated obvious things but at other times gave important facts on the credibility of the accounts. It might have been better included within the main entries.

Overall, this book kept my attention and lifted my spirits (ha!). I especially enjoyed learning some new ghostlore variants, like the skull that insists on staying inside a home instead of being buried with its body- or the ghostly monks and nuns. And it is cool there are stories from across time and around the world, albeit mostly from Western cultures.

Thank you for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good little collection of real life allegations of ghostiness, hauntings and poltergeist activity. I thought I had some idea of what Fortean things would feature, but I didn't know we'd have a haunted house report from the hand of Pliny the Younger, ghost ships spotted by the man who would become George V, nor that bedevilled family vaults on Barbados and spirit reflections from Sydney would get a mention. So I'd hazard a guess that this will be welcome to specialists as well as the casual browser. It seemed to me the author handles things well – reporting the alleged haunting with just the right amount of detail, and then summarising it and its plausibility in his own words, neither as a true believer or sceptic, but as a neutral. The book's highly pictorial, as well – it's just a bit annoying so many box-outs and asides get to spoil the flow of what you're reading. It closes with bonus appendices concerning ghosts in other, non-western, cultures, spiritualism, and near-death experiences, amongst others. The fact this is the third printing in just a few short years implies either a very small run each time, or that this is a success – and I certainly believe the latter is no puff of smoke. The fact that Easter moves seems to be alien to the author, mind – but since he died long ago I expect his thanks for my very positive review in some spectral shape or form soon. Definitely more than four stars.

[julianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many people believe they have seen ghosts, many others are doubtful, but despite the rationalism of the present day, there has been no decrease in the number of sightings: old ghosts have survived for centuries and have been joined by modern ones, haunted houses retain their eerie reputations, apparitions are studied by parapsychologists, poltergeists still wreak havoc in homes.
Ghost Sightings is a wide-ranging guide to ghostly phenomena from all parts of the globe up to 2015. It covers cases throughout history: many of them famous, others less well known. It examines malign spirits and gentle ghosts, apparitions, wraiths, haunted houses and spooky urban myths. Each entry gives details of the date, location and course of events, as well as providing a historical context and analytical assessment of the phenomenon.
The book’s extensive appendices provide fascinating additional information, including the differing roles of ghosts in the world’s religions, an exploration of out-of-body and near-death experiences, and modern theories offered to explain ghosts by figures such as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung.
Ghost Sightings is a thorough study of a subject that has intrigued, amazed and terrified mankind throughout history.

Absolutely fascinating, will be adding this to my bookshelf.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghost Sightings is a compilation of ghosts sightings and stories. Each story gets a written summary and a brief commentary that could add supporting evidence or show how certain sightings were discounted or disproved. Most of the photos included are in black and white and are of manor houses where sightings have been reported. There are additional drawings and a couple possible ghostly photos. Sections include: Centuries Past, 19th Century, Haunted Houses, Gentle Ghosts, Malign Presence, Apparitions, Animals etc. It includes a final chapter on Urban myths and some appendices. This isn't a book to prove or disprove the existence of ghosts. It is a professional writer compiling stories that usually have some documentation with reporting to authorities or being investigated. For example John Wesley who founded the Methodists had experiences with a ghost in his home as a teen. It is described in family letters at the time. The book is very British centric although a few American and other countries are included. This is probablybecause the publisher is English. For anyone who likes ghost stories. Thank you NetGalley and Amber Books for a temporary ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: This is a decent compendium of many ghostly sightings from around the world and throughout history. It is a very objective telling, compiling details that might have influenced the story without making an judgements. The vast bulk of the stories are British in origins but there are stories from near and far. Most of the sightings were ones of which I had previous knowledge but there were a few that were new to me. There was also a good selection of different kinds of apparitions.

Like so many of these books that compile information, it is a book that could be read from cover to cover or dipped into a will. None of the chapters are too long or involved so it could be good bedtime reading- for those who do not have a nervous disposition.

Four purrs and two paws up.

[LittleRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I thought I might be reading a lot of stories I already know about since this book went up to 2015, but I was wrong…and I’m so glad I was. This book covers A LOT of territory and time periods and I learned so really fascinating stories I hadn’t read before.

Ever since I was a little girl I have loved ghost stories. Our whole family (seven siblings and their children) would go camping together all summer and at night, Uncle Tommy would tell us ghost stories. I was hooked and still am! This is a great read and I’ll be recommending it to my cousins who also have fond memories of those days and love ghost stories.

Well written and chock full of spooky stories and experiences. Just don’t read it alone at night!

[Mana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghost Sightings is a very systematic and organised guide to ghostly phenomena from all parts of the world. It covers famous and less well known cases throughout history. It describes malign spirits, kind ghosts, apparitions, poltergeists, wraiths, haunted houses and spooky urban myths. Each entry is very detailed, with illustrations, photographs, dates, locations, events and objective comment with an analysis.

The book is a fascinating study of ghost sightings and includes historical facts and importance from different viewpoints, including religions, beliefs, legends, myths etc.

Perfect beginner's book for all who want to explore more about paranormal activity.

[Destiny Bridwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I have always loved the stories of ghosts and spirits and the places they happen to linger. This broke the hauntings and stories into different sections. There were haunted houses, urban legends, the types of ghosts, and sightings. There are pictures and if you ask me this just added to the creep factor. This was especially if it was the person or people that said to haunt the locations. I have seen things all my life and reading these stories and experiences made me things back to the times I was historical places or just ordinary homes and wonder about those moments. There has to be something after we leave the earthy plain.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost stories are some of my favorite stories. I love reading about the history and how the ghost are suppose to haunt the area. The history can certainly be interesting. This book did not disappoint. I love how it gives so much information. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like ghost stories and this is the perfect book if you want to read about them.
Well researched and richly illustrated, had a lot of fun in reading it.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty comprehensive look at ghosts/ghost traditions around the world though it was a little UK-centric.

[Joni Owens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick interesting ghost encounters. I enjoyed how the author gave his commentary after each story. Some stories were creepy while others were mild.

[Al Strasil · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting stories!!! I love paranormal books!!