Ghosts and Hauntings

by Reader's Digest Association

This is one of a 12 volume series of books covering various metaphysical and paranormal ideas and theories mostly presented in a Fortean manner. The term, "Fortean" refers to a branch of study and thought first defined by the author and researcher, Charles Hoy Fort (1874 - 1932). He did not accept all scientific knowledge as final and unchangeable because he felt that scientific truth must be left to evolve as new facts were discovered. Unlike "Skeptics" he refused to judge all unexplained phenomena by declaring that all things as yet unproven must be false. He also rejected the "true believer" idea that anything not proven false must be true. He is most famous for cataloging reports of anomalous events that could not be explained by current scientific knowledge without taking a position that they could not possibly be true because they are unexplained, or that they must be true because they had been reliably reported. He was most comfortable explaining things, as best he could, based on the current state of knowledge in a particular field, allowing for advances of that knowledge in the future.

Genres: Paranormal, Nonfiction

144 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1993

About the author

The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. is a global media and direct marketing company based in Chappaqua, New York, best known for its flagship publication founded in 1922, Reader's Digest. The company's headquarters are in New York City, where it moved from Pleasantville, New York.

The company was founded by DeWitt and Lila Wallace in 1922 with the first publication of Reader's Digest magazine, but has grown to include a diverse range of magazines, books, music, DVDs and online content.

Reviews

[Sassafras · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I only skimmed the book. I would read it more carefully, but there is a musty smell that may indicate mold...which might be why I can feel my throat constricting. No sign of ghosts, just allergies. Regardless, I have to end this with a quick skim.

Although it was published in 1993, it feels much older. Perhaps that is the subject matter? Speak of which, this overview of ghosts begins with (then) recent history of a family’s experience with a haunting. From there the tidbits go into historical writings, sitings, and beliefs. I loved reading the location hauntings.

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A smattering of ghost stories and theories. A quick and easy read. Makes a good coffee table book to leaf through.