Ghosts: A History of Phantoms, Ghouls & Other Spirits of the Dead

by P.G. Maxwell-Stuart

The ghost experience is a remarkable common one. Ghosts are seen or heard, or their presence is felt in almost every kind of place by almost every kind of person. They appear once, or regularly, with a purpose, or for no apparent reason. They may be friendly, hostile, or peculiar, and seen by one person or several. Most are recognisably human, but some are merely bright lights or animals or even objects. Most are dead, but some are still alive, and a number of people have seen ghosts of themselves. P.G. Maxwell-Stuart's book traces the history of ghost phenomena from the ancient world to the present day and the ways in which people have tried to deal with the hope, the fear, the curiosity, and the disbelief which ghosts have aroused.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Paranormal, Ghosts, Folklore

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2007

About the author

Peter G. Maxwell-Stuart is a Research Fellow in the Department of History at the University of Aberdeen and an Honorary Lecturer in the Department of History in the University of St. Andrews.

Source: Macmillan

Reviews

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Returning another book I previously borrowed from my university library (a magnificent place, full of academic non-fiction in all genres), I happened upon this in the occult section. I've read my fair share of ghost books, and I intend to continue doing so, because I find the subject fascinating and, by and large, I am an earnest believer. That being said, much of the stuff I read - even if it pertains toward "genuine" cases - is likely sensationalised and exaggerated, if not wholly fake. This, on the other hand, promised to approach the subject from a more critical and objective angle, and so I was sold on that.

Maxwell-Stuart does not so much explore ghosts as a general concept or phenomenon but rather presents an historical overview of how belief in them has developed, along with accompanying superstitions, since the Middle Ages. The book does not set out to prove or disprove their existence, although it seems quite clear to me the author does believe in spirits and also may be a Christian (I'm leaning towards Catholic). Therefore, they are partial to many supposed case-studies that may, to sceptics or indeed believers such as myself, appear questionable to a 21st century mentality.

Not really a scary book, barring a few moments here and there. But to scare the reader is not one of the author's aims, and I for one thoroughly enjoyed it. A good book with which to wrap up 2021 then, I say.

[Claire]

One of the most sensible and interesting books about the supernatural that I have read in a very long time. Maxwell-Stuart takes the human need to believe in life after death (and thus ghosts and spirits) as his starting point and examines the way that these beliefs have changed and been adapted over the course of history. This volume works as a good basic introduction to the subject, and achieves in its aim of generally placing supernatural beliefs in their wider historical context, but the subject really demands a longer and more detailed treatment.