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Stackpole Haunted Series
Haunted Presidents
Have the men who held the high-pressure job of running the nation become restless spirits, reluctant or unable to leave the world of the living? This book follows the nation's presidents chronologically, from George Washington to Ronald Reagan, with stories about their ghostly manifestations, their experiences with unexplained phenomena, and odd encounters involving members of their families. Readers will learn about Washington's phantom appearance at the Battle of Gettysburg, Dolley Madison's spirit in the White House rose garden, Andrew Jackson's encounter with the Bell Witch, Abraham Lincoln's prophetic dreams, the mischievous ghost of Franklin D. Roosevelt's dog Fala, Richard Nixon's spiritual conferences with dead presidents, and the odd demon cat that materializes prior to national disasters.
144 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 1, 2019
A fun concept with mostly unfulfilling ghost stories, Haunted Presidents is a quick stroll through presidential history, with brief biographical information on each president, numbers 1-40, and tales of their ghosts or their own experiences with the otherworldly while they were alive. Sadly, the questionable validity extends beyond the reports of apparitions and includes some of the biographical offerings. Yet it was fun to read in October, taking on one president a day through Halloween, and didn't take much of my time.
October 12, 2021
A brief compilation of ghostly sightings and experiences of otherworldly phenomena reported over the years pertaining to all of the U. S. presidents deceased prior to 2010. The sightings and other experiences also include those of persons and even objects closely associated with the presidents, like family members, pets, vehicles, etc. Not surprisingly there have been more experiences attributed to certain presidents than others. The author also includes trivia about each president and its significance to the particular phenomenon experienced. The trivia alone made the book worth reading as I became aware of information about each president that I had not previously been aware of. Not only did I learn about some of the favorite “haunts” associated with each of the presidents but I also learned some interesting historical facts about each former POTUS. The book was a good choice to read during the Halloween season.
December 17, 2010
Some books have more intersting titles than the work inside.
This is one of those books. I didn't expect it to be scary (take heart...it is not), but I at least thought it would be interesting. Sadly...no. I was bored with the most powerful men in the nation (or with their spirits, it was hard to tell). There was not anything really new in the book, and it seemed just to spit out the same common knowledge items. A real YAWN.
This is one of those books. I didn't expect it to be scary (take heart...it is not), but I at least thought it would be interesting. Sadly...no. I was bored with the most powerful men in the nation (or with their spirits, it was hard to tell). There was not anything really new in the book, and it seemed just to spit out the same common knowledge items. A real YAWN.
January 22, 2013
I thought this was a very interesting book with lots of tidbits of information about our presidents and sometimes their families. I had decided last year to start reading biographies about the presidents starting with Washington and this book makes me want to start sooner than later. I thought it was well worth the read.
June 19, 2023
I've been reading this book alongside another book about US presidents. It's taken me a long time because I stopped multiple times, to read other books. That didn't mean I found it uninteresting. It means I found the other books more.
The book covers all deceased US Presidents (including Carter, who is still living at the time the book was published) and short reviews of what happened while they were in office. There was quite a bit of information in this thin book that I did not know, and some info paralleled the book of presidents I was also reading.
I found it interesting that the Presidents are seen (perhaps not simultaneously) at multiple locations: i.e., the White House, their childhood home, their graveside, their namesake library or other personal real-estate. The shades or fluorescent translucency as they are referred to, are mentioned as disappearing when approached and their attire and expressions are described as well. There is mention of glimpses of their wives and pets images too.
I'm glad I read the book, but I was hoping for a little more definitive wording about the sightings as their mention created doubt about whether their spirits were actually seen or imagined.
The book covers all deceased US Presidents (including Carter, who is still living at the time the book was published) and short reviews of what happened while they were in office. There was quite a bit of information in this thin book that I did not know, and some info paralleled the book of presidents I was also reading.
I found it interesting that the Presidents are seen (perhaps not simultaneously) at multiple locations: i.e., the White House, their childhood home, their graveside, their namesake library or other personal real-estate. The shades or fluorescent translucency as they are referred to, are mentioned as disappearing when approached and their attire and expressions are described as well. There is mention of glimpses of their wives and pets images too.
I'm glad I read the book, but I was hoping for a little more definitive wording about the sightings as their mention created doubt about whether their spirits were actually seen or imagined.
December 6, 2024
Definitely thought this was going to be more interesting than it was. Just a general history of the first 40 presidents with a paragraph or two about where their “ghost” appears and a general idea of why. If you’re a presidential history buff, I’d give it a read, if not you’re not missing anything.
December 4, 2013
This book presents portraits of the lives of the first forty presidents in US history and the possibility of hauntings or paranormal events associated with them and their families. While the author has written other books on the paranormal, he has also taught and written books on cultural and regional geography. Here he has ventured into the world of history as well, and while I have not double checked all the historical background which is sketchy in spots, it appears to be fairly well researched.
In his introduction, Stansfield informs the reader that ghosts are bipartisan and universal. Because the presidents are in a unique position to influence history, it makes sense that they might become restless spirits unable to leave our world. According to public opinion polls ten to forty percent of Americans believe they personally have had contact with a deceased person. Obviously some presidents have had more influence than others and it is the same with ghosts or the likelihood of ghost stories being associated with them.
Stansfield believes the relative degree of interest in a presidential ghost story is related to what he calls the “Three C’s.” These are character, charisma and circumstances. Presidents like Lincoln, Washington and Theodore Roosevelt have strong character that embody virtues like courage, perseverance and integrity. First ladies such as Dolley Madison and Jackie Kennedy possessed extraordinary charisma. Circumstances in one’s life often influence the legends like the strong influence in spiritualism displayed by Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary. President Woodrow Wilson was driven to despair because he was unable to succeed in achieving his dream of world peace.
The place where ghosts appear is usually based on a location that was especially significant to that person’s life. One example is the funeral route of Lincoln’s final train ride. Another is the Key West Cottage where Harry Truman and his wife often stayed. The White House is probably our country’s most famous haunted house. One of the most unusual stories is that of the demon cat which appears in the basement and crypt of the Capitol building. At first it seems to be a kitten, but soon evolves into a huge, snarling cat. Believers claim that this cat materialized shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbor, the assassination of JFK, and the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Ghosts of past White House Staff open and close doors and lights. Even Winston Churchill and a British Queen have reported seeing the ghost of Abraham Lincoln in his former bedroom.
Whether you are a skeptic or not, you will enjoy reading about tidbits of historical information like the fact that Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan were sure they saw UFO’s and the fact that George Washington appeared on a horse with a flaming sword at the Battle of Gettysburg to encourage the Union forces on to victory. The ghost of John Adams is said to haunt the former Supreme Court chamber in the Capitol building where he defended fifty three Africans who revolted against their slave captors on the Amistad and sailed to an American port seeking freedom and return to Africa.
The book can be read in chronological order or used as a reference to a certain period of history. Its story line is appropriate for young adult and adult audiences. Classroom teachers might want to use the paranormal aspect to encourage more interest in presidential facts and historical events. Certainly an interesting way to view American history.
In his introduction, Stansfield informs the reader that ghosts are bipartisan and universal. Because the presidents are in a unique position to influence history, it makes sense that they might become restless spirits unable to leave our world. According to public opinion polls ten to forty percent of Americans believe they personally have had contact with a deceased person. Obviously some presidents have had more influence than others and it is the same with ghosts or the likelihood of ghost stories being associated with them.
Stansfield believes the relative degree of interest in a presidential ghost story is related to what he calls the “Three C’s.” These are character, charisma and circumstances. Presidents like Lincoln, Washington and Theodore Roosevelt have strong character that embody virtues like courage, perseverance and integrity. First ladies such as Dolley Madison and Jackie Kennedy possessed extraordinary charisma. Circumstances in one’s life often influence the legends like the strong influence in spiritualism displayed by Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary. President Woodrow Wilson was driven to despair because he was unable to succeed in achieving his dream of world peace.
The place where ghosts appear is usually based on a location that was especially significant to that person’s life. One example is the funeral route of Lincoln’s final train ride. Another is the Key West Cottage where Harry Truman and his wife often stayed. The White House is probably our country’s most famous haunted house. One of the most unusual stories is that of the demon cat which appears in the basement and crypt of the Capitol building. At first it seems to be a kitten, but soon evolves into a huge, snarling cat. Believers claim that this cat materialized shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbor, the assassination of JFK, and the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Ghosts of past White House Staff open and close doors and lights. Even Winston Churchill and a British Queen have reported seeing the ghost of Abraham Lincoln in his former bedroom.
Whether you are a skeptic or not, you will enjoy reading about tidbits of historical information like the fact that Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan were sure they saw UFO’s and the fact that George Washington appeared on a horse with a flaming sword at the Battle of Gettysburg to encourage the Union forces on to victory. The ghost of John Adams is said to haunt the former Supreme Court chamber in the Capitol building where he defended fifty three Africans who revolted against their slave captors on the Amistad and sailed to an American port seeking freedom and return to Africa.
The book can be read in chronological order or used as a reference to a certain period of history. Its story line is appropriate for young adult and adult audiences. Classroom teachers might want to use the paranormal aspect to encourage more interest in presidential facts and historical events. Certainly an interesting way to view American history.
November 18, 2012
I thought I'd just glance through the book and read it later.. before I knew it.. I'd read the WHOLE book! lol The author really did their homework! From the first President, George Washington all the way to Ronald Reagan. The book is just full of little tidbits about every American President! Also included are known sightings of First Ladies and children.
I think the tidbit that astonished me most.. was finding out about Abraham Lincoln's son.. who was with two Presidents when they were shot.. and had opted NOT to go to the theater with his parents on the night his father was slain.. staying instead at the White House to catch up on some sleep and relaxation. The thing that really got me though.. was that he thought he was a jinx to Presidents.. finally passing away in 1925.. only to have President JFK buried within 70 yards of his grave.
One actually learns quite a bit about Presidential lives as well. How they loved. How they lived. Possible reasons for appearing at certain locations after passing. A very quick, easy read!
If you're someone that likes little unknown facts.. you really WILL enjoy this book!
I think the tidbit that astonished me most.. was finding out about Abraham Lincoln's son.. who was with two Presidents when they were shot.. and had opted NOT to go to the theater with his parents on the night his father was slain.. staying instead at the White House to catch up on some sleep and relaxation. The thing that really got me though.. was that he thought he was a jinx to Presidents.. finally passing away in 1925.. only to have President JFK buried within 70 yards of his grave.
One actually learns quite a bit about Presidential lives as well. How they loved. How they lived. Possible reasons for appearing at certain locations after passing. A very quick, easy read!
If you're someone that likes little unknown facts.. you really WILL enjoy this book!
November 24, 2012
This is really like a 2.5 star read, but I'll give it the extra .5 because it was free. It's hard to complain about it alot when it's free. There was a lot of stuff in here that wasn't new to me, but there were a few things I hadn't read before. I took my time getting through this. It was great for killing time during doctor's office visits and such.
April 13, 2011
I read this on the plane to and from Mexico. This book is right up my alley. Presidents, first ladies, history and ghosts. What else is needed? It covers all the dead presidents and where they may be still "active".
September 6, 2011
Stories were good, but the book needs an editor.
November 8, 2012
Not a fan of history but enjoyed this book.
November 17, 2012
An interesting book with a lot of history and some ghostly presidential sightings.
November 20, 2012
it was really cool to read about bits of the President's pasts that I didn't know and see how they haunted and where.
November 28, 2012
i thought this book was well written and easy to read, lots of interesting history without getting overwhelming and long.
December 4, 2012
I found this to be an interesting and somewhat informative book. There was some background information that I had not heard before.
December 6, 2012
Interesting history of ghost encounters.
December 22, 2012
Although I am not a history fan, I learned a lot about the Presidents that I didn't know. I enjoyed that the author included not only stories of ghost sightings but history of each president.
January 26, 2013
I enjoyed these short but informative tales of the presidents from Washington to Reagan. The ghost stories were good but I found the other tidbits about their lives to be the gems of this book.
February 9, 2013
Very interesting read! Really liked the history that was given on each one. Now I really want to go and see some of these places!
October 21, 2013
Good book with a lot of interesting facts and a ton of history. Also was very well researched. Really enjoyed reading this book.
November 10, 2013
The stuff about the ghosts was dumb but the information about their lives and tragedies was fascinating. It has interesting information about every president through Reagan.
September 1, 2014
So interesting and informative too!
October 21, 2014
Juvenile writing but still interesting.
May 9, 2016
good book about the presidents and hauntings that they encountered!
October 6, 2016
Aaron Burr was the one who introduced Dolley & James Madison! Nice. Fun read, with the bonus of being a to-visit list for presidential sites.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews