Unexplained phenomena / the paranormal Books

Book SynopsisFrom heart-stopping accounts of apparitions, manifestations and related supernatural phenomena to first-hand encounters with ghouls and spirits, this collection of stories contains both new and well-known spooky stories from around Staffordshire. Compiled by the Wolverhampton Express & Star''s own psychic agony uncle, Philip Solomon, this terrifying assortment of tales includes details of long-reported poltergeist activity at Sinai House, strange goings-on at the Gladstone Pottery Museum and even a reported visitation from author J.R.R. Tolkien in Leek! Haunted Staffordshire is sure to fascinate everyone with an interest in the area's haunted history.

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Book SynopsisFrom hair-raising first-hand accounts of unexplained sightings and paranormal phenomena to the search for evidence of ghosts, this eerie and richly illustrated tour around the historic town of Spalding and the surrounding area features many chilling stories of ghostly encounters.

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Book SynopsisTake an eerie journey through the historic town of Boston, where ghostly friars still occupy the land of their thirteenth-century monastery, and where Sarah Preston’s disembodied cries of `Pestilence!’ can sometimes be heard as her ghostly apparition jumps from the top of St Botolph’s Church.

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Book SynopsisThe spirit, who quickly became known as ‘Donald’, began to communicate, initially via tapping sounds, but over time - and with the encouragement of psychical researcher Harold Chibbett, whose case-files appear here – by learning to write.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewMedia are full of doomsday predictions related to the Maya Long Count calendar end date, December 21, 2012, in today’s Western calendar. Restall and Solari take a serious look at Maya calendar development, archaeology, and history to seek the truth behind the so-called Maya doomsday prophecy, which adherents believe may forecast the end of the world. The authors see no evidence that Long Count calendar dates for the future, carved on stone monuments at Maya archaeological sites in Mexico and Central America, indicate predictions of doom. Their thorough examination of Maya carvings, images, and writings leads them to the conclusion that the preconquest Maya were not particularly millenarian. By contrast, their Spanish conquerors came from a culture steeped in eschatological thinking. The authors effectively provide scholarly evidence to back up their hypothesis that millenarianism probably came via the Spanish and is not intrinsic to the traditional Maya worldview and to debunk prophecies of doom. VERDICT This readable analysis based on credible scholarship is a needed and balanced counterpoint to the many sensationalist works on the Maya doomsday prophecy as 2012 approaches. Highly recommended for all seeking a reasoned perspective on Maya calendar systems. * Library Journal, Starred Review *Well, here’s a much-needed breath of fresh, rational air. A welcome counterpoint to the seemingly endless end-of-the-world tomes, this well-documented, well-presented book (written by a pair of history professors) explores the origins of the alleged Mayan prediction that the world will end on December 21, 2012. For conspiracy buffs, the authors’ conclusions will prove decidedly disheartening. For example: they show that there is no hard evidence that the Mayan calendar has any predictive function; the Long Count calendar (which is key to the 2012 date) has a purely arbitrary start date, rendering the 2012 date meaningless; and (despite common misperception) the Mayans were not especially apocalyptic in outlook. The authors have a simple mission, 'to explain what the 2012 fuss is all about,' and they do it admirably. They don’t go as far as saying the world won’t end in December 2012, but they do say this: there is no evidence, either historical or textual, that the Mayans were predicting the end of the world in 2012 or any other year. * Booklist *Restall and Solari's informative and accessible book offers understanding of who the Maya were and how they saw their world and, at the same time, offers an explanation into why apocalyptic scenes have always been so attractive. . . . The authors affirm that 2012 is not the end and that many positive things can come from the 2012 phenomenon, including the interest being paid to Mayan culture and to other past civilizations. * Spirituality and Health *In their highly readable volume, Mayan scholars Restall and Solari cover . . . evidence about ancient Maya belief in a distant apocalypse, but acknowledge that strains of European apocalypticism entered Maya thinking after the conquest. The authors show through discussion of missionary art and Maya colonial writings the likely influences of European thought about the end of the world on the changing Maya conceptions of themselves and their world. They agree, however, that such hybrid strains of the apocalypse in the New World have nothing to do with the current hype about 2012. Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. * CHOICE *Historians and Maya specialists Matthew Restall and Amara Solari have written the best book available about the notion that the ancient Maya count of days pointed to a world- transforming cataclysm to occur on the 21st of December in the year 2012. Specialists and general readers alike will find this an invaluable overview of the subject. . . . This is an excellently written, well-argued presentation that many should read—while there is still time. * Hispanic American Historical Review *In an age of fear and trepidation about 2012 and time's end, educators who know the Maya need to step up and teach the truth beyond their academic audience. This well-argued, exceptionally accessible book combines the interdisciplinary forces of one who knows the Maya word with one who knows the Maya image. It takes readers to the historical roots of the 2012 myth and reveals how and why the idea of Maya millenarianism became linked to the celebrated Long Count. -- Anthony Aveni, Russell Colgate Distinguished University Professor, Colgate UniversityFalsehoods are more powerful than facts. Matthew Restall and Amara Solari's ingenious reconstruction of an amazing story—how Maya mathematics morphed into modern millenarianism—tells us a lot about the Maya. Their book tells us even more about ourselves: how and why, with every emotion from solemnity to derision, we respond to prophets who claim to foresee the end of time. Witty, scholarly, insightful, and fast-paced—this is the thinking person's guide to the next pop-apocalypse. -- Felipe Fernández-Armesto, William P. Reynolds Professor of History,University of Notre DameTable of ContentsIntroduction: You Really Can Survive Chapter 1: The History of the End of the World: The Maya Prediction Chapter 2: They Deserve Better: The Maya Evidence Chapter 3: God Is Angry: The Millenarian Mother Lode Chapter 4: The Moctezuma Factor: The End of the World Comes to Mexico Chapter 5: Apocalypto: The Millennium Comes to the Maya Chapter 6: We Are Almost There: Why People Believe Sources and Suggestions for Further Reading

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Book SynopsisExplore the extraordinary stories behind some of the greatest - and strangest - adventures and explorations in human history.

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Book SynopsisHAUNTED AMERICA FAQ: ALL THATS LEFT TO KNOW ABOUT THE MOST HAUNTED HOUSES CEMETERIES

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Book SynopsisA chilling tale based on true events from the bestselling author of The Ghost Hunters - now a major ITV drama starring Rafe SpallAt the height of the Cold War, officials at the Ministry of Defence conducted a highly secret investigation into unusual events that occurred along a strip of rugged coastline within the Pembrokeshire National Park nicknamed 'The Broad Haven Triangle'. The events made national headlines: lights and objects hovering in the sky, ghostly figures peering into farmhouse windows, cowering animals, and poltergeists plaguing a terrified family of witnesses.Thirty years later, official files pertaining to these occurrences were finally released for public scrutiny at the National Archives. The disclosure prompted a new witness to come forward to speak of what he knew. His testimony rocked the very foundations of the British Government. This is his story.Trade ReviewA unique story based on true events, with a stunning conclusion and an unpredictable plot, this is for those who like their Halloween stories to be a little more otherworldly. Fans of Netflix series Stranger Things will especially enjoy it * Enfield Independent *Spring's fast-paced but often deliciously creepy novel has an orphaned hero, a spooky, isolated farmhouse and things that go bump in the night . . . highly readable * Herald *The Watchers cements [Neil Spring's] place in the ranks of writers you should be paying attention to * Ginger Nuts of Horror *A triumph of creativity . . . Pick it up as soon as you can and see if you can unravel the mystery of the Broad Haven Triangle - the conclusion will shock and amaze you * Vada Magazine *Another glorious read from Neil Spring. Truly original, captivating and mysterious * Starburst Magazine *An explosive new novel * Express *Set amidst inexplicable goings-on along the Pembrokeshire coastline and Cold War coverups from the Ministry of Defence, The Watchers is a gripping paranormal mystery that intertwines the imaginative and the suspenseful with true historical events * Foyles Bookshop *There's something irresistible about the way each layer of the mystery is peeled back, and Neil Spring has a wicked turn of phrase. His description of the Watchers is the kind of thing you remember in the middle of the night * SFX *Watch the Skies in Spring's spooky story of 1970s paranoia, UFOs and the haunting of an entire village * Observer *Welsh author Spring's follow-up to his acclaimed The Ghost Hunters sees the residents of a remote coastal village spooked by unusual goings on during the Cold War era. Intertwining real historical events with action conjured from his own bottomless imagination, The Watchers is a mysterious and unsettling read * Mashable *

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Book SynopsisParanormal phenomena, orbs and strange mists, true ghosts stories, hauntings near and far, and much much more.

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Book SynopsisA useful manual for any magician, or for anyone who wonders why the tricks seem so real, this guide examines the psychological aspects of a magician''s work. Exploring the ways in which human psychology plays into the methods of conjuring, rather than focusing on the individual tricks themselves, the book explains general principles of magic. Chapters on the use of misdirection, sleight of hand, and reconstruction, provide a better understanding of this ancient art and a section on psychics warns of their deceptive magic skills.Trade Review""Magic in Theory" is charmingly clear, admirably erudite and highly readable. The chapters are gently authoritative without being numbingly complex, and sober while avoiding 'academic' sterility. Highly recommended." --"Fortean Times "

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Book SynopsisThis extraordinary book, unique in its ambition and scope, delves deep into the mystery of the crop circles which appear every summer in the fertile wheat and barley fields of southern England. Follow leading researcher Michael Green as he tells the story of the crop circles, and uncovers and deciphers the ancient symbols and mandalas encoded in these extraordinary patterns. Be prepared, as the revelations precipitate further questions. Could these glyphs be communications by a Cosmic Intelligence intent on awakening us to the plight of life on planet Earth, and to humanity’s divine origin and its infinite potential? Why do crop circles keep appearing in ever larger numbers? Why do their designs keep evolving? If they are portents of change, can we heed their message in time?

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Book SynopsisThis book is about how, when, and why our dead visit us. Allan Kellehear—a medical sociologist and expert on death, dying, and palliative care—has gathered data and conducted studies on deathbed visions across cultures.Trade ReviewA respectful examination of visitations from the dead on a deathbed and in bereavement, Kellehear adds to an emerging body of work that is of great interest. Visitors at the End of Life does an excellent job addressing this topic with an objective and serious tone. -- Kenneth J. Doka, coauthor of Death and Dying, Life and Living, eighth edition, and senior consultant, Hospice Foundation of AmericaEstablishing quickly that near-death experiences, deathbed visions, and visions of the bereaved are commonplace, Kellehear examines how these experiences exemplify established principles of social interaction and addresses perhaps a crucial question: What can these experiences offer to the dying, their family and friends, and humanity at large? A must-read for anyone with a personal or professional interest in the human dying and bereavement processes. -- Janice Miner Holden, editor of the Journal of Near-Death StudiesJust what is the social logic behind human experiences of our dead? This renowned death-studies scholar challenges us to create an ‘intellectual space’ to question simplistic answers by reframing our approach to the enigmas of experience encountered by millions across diverse world cultures. -- Douglas Davies, Durham UniversityIn Visitors at the End of Life, Allan Kellehear moves beyond whether visits from dead are real or imagined and probes the deeper question of what they mean. Illustrating with copious accounts of visitations, Kellehear makes them as understandable as any other social encounter. Visitors at the End of Life contains much wisdom and much comfort for the bereaved. -- Bruce Greyson, University of VirginiaHis description of key anthropological accounts will help interested readers frame these phenomena seriously so that they can be better illuminated and understood...Recommended. * Choice *Table of ContentsPrefacePart I. Conflict and Context1. Visitors Near Death: Are They “Real”?2. Hallucinations3. PerceptionPart II. Patterns of Custom and Solicitation4. Greetings and Other Customs5. Advice6. Transformation7. GiftsPart III. A Pattern Directing the Patterns8. VigilsConclusionAcknowledgmentsNotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThis book is about how, when, and why our dead visit us. Allan Kellehear—a medical sociologist and expert on death, dying, and palliative care—has gathered data and conducted studies on deathbed visions across cultures.Trade ReviewA respectful examination of visitations from the dead on a deathbed and in bereavement, Kellehear adds to an emerging body of work that is of great interest. Visitors at the End of Life does an excellent job addressing this topic with an objective and serious tone. -- Kenneth J. Doka, coauthor of Death and Dying, Life and Living, eighth edition, and senior consultant, Hospice Foundation of AmericaEstablishing quickly that near-death experiences, deathbed visions, and visions of the bereaved are commonplace, Kellehear examines how these experiences exemplify established principles of social interaction and addresses perhaps a crucial question: What can these experiences offer to the dying, their family and friends, and humanity at large? A must-read for anyone with a personal or professional interest in the human dying and bereavement processes. -- Janice Miner Holden, editor of the Journal of Near-Death StudiesJust what is the social logic behind human experiences of our dead? This renowned death-studies scholar challenges us to create an ‘intellectual space’ to question simplistic answers by reframing our approach to the enigmas of experience encountered by millions across diverse world cultures. -- Douglas Davies, Durham UniversityIn Visitors at the End of Life, Allan Kellehear moves beyond whether visits from dead are real or imagined and probes the deeper question of what they mean. Illustrating with copious accounts of visitations, Kellehear makes them as understandable as any other social encounter. Visitors at the End of Life contains much wisdom and much comfort for the bereaved. -- Bruce Greyson, University of VirginiaHis description of key anthropological accounts will help interested readers frame these phenomena seriously so that they can be better illuminated and understood...Recommended. * Choice *Table of ContentsPrefacePart I. Conflict and Context1. Visitors Near Death: Are They “Real”?2. Hallucinations3. PerceptionPart II. Patterns of Custom and Solicitation4. Greetings and Other Customs5. Advice6. Transformation7. GiftsPart III. A Pattern Directing the Patterns8. VigilsConclusionAcknowledgmentsNotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisNeuroscientist David E. Presti, with the assistance of other researchers, explores how evidence for anomalous phenomena—such as near-death experiences, apparent memories of past lives, apparitions, and other so-called psi or paranormal phenomena, including telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition—can influence the Buddhism-science conversation.Trade ReviewBeginning with the unsettling title and continuing through chapters that take an empirical approach to exploring near-death experiences, reincarnation, mediums, and apparitions, Mind Beyond Brain asks the reader to set aside preconceptions and deeply-held assumptions in order to understand the depths of human consciousness. An engaging read, sure to give a healthy intellectual prod to even the most committed physical materialist. -- Rich Ivry, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of California, BerkeleyMind Beyond Brain embraces and celebrates the natural sciences and their materialist frameworks but also suggests that our understanding of the natural almost certainly needs to be expanded, greatly, and that the physicalist frameworks may not be the final answer to our deepest and most difficult questions about subjectivity, mind, or consciousness. Presti is a perfect narrator, host, and guide here. He strikes a wonderful balance between embracing and celebrating the advances of the sciences and wanting them to go further still. -- Jeffrey J. Kripal, J. Newton Rayzor Chair in Philosophy and Religious Thought, Rice UniversityThis book could open important doors for any thinking person today. It courageously provides important philosophical critiques of the dominant physical materialist worldview along with a great deal of well-documented, challenging counter-evidence drawn from all-too-neglected fields of psychological research. It is a compelling read for anyone who realizes that the acknowledgement of the active role of 'mind' (whatever it is, we all have one, and we need to get to know it better!) in nature is indispensable for the revolutionary paradigm shift that science requires to break through its current deadlock, presiding over the great extinction facing our planet and our sentient selves. -- Robert Thurman, Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies, Columbia UniversityMind Beyond Brain explores the implications of empirical evidence challenging the prevailing view that the mind is simply a function of the brain. This timely book places the issue within the ongoing dialogue between science and Buddhism and reinstates the spirit of open-minded, radical empiricism that has always characterized science and Buddhism at their best. With their discussions of compelling evidence, examined with rigorous logic, the eminently qualified authors of this book point the way forward to catalyzing the first true revolution in the mind sciences. -- B. Alan Wallace, President, Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness StudiesAcademics, both in and outside the fields of neuroscience and Buddhism, who are interested in psi phenomena will find this publication accessible and reader-friendly, though not reductionistic in content. * Reading Religion *This fine book should be widely read and debated as we try to formulate a radical new perspective where mind is a central part of nature rather than an epiphenomenon of neural processes. This will lead to a new and constructive relationship between science and spirituality. * Paradigm Explorer *Serve[s] a useful purpose on two fronts (academic and lay-oriented), and it deserves attention from readers on both sides. * Journal of the Society for Psychical Research *This is a fascinating. . . book that treads the boundaries between science and mysticism in an enlightening way. * Magonia Review of Books *Readers who are interested in science, mind, and psi phenomena will find Mind Beyond Brain to be both fascinating and accessible. -- Renee L. Ford, Rice University * Nova Religio *Table of ContentsForeword, by Geshe Tenzin Wangyal RinpochePrologue: Deepening the Dialogue, by David E. Presti and Edward F. Kelly1. Scientific Revolution and the Mind–Matter Relation, by David E. Presti2. Near-Death Experiences, by Bruce Greyson3. Reports of Past-Life Memories, by Jim B. Tucker4. Mediums, Apparitions, and Deathbed Experiences, by Emily Williams Kelly5. Paranormal Phenomena, the Siddhis, and an Emerging Path Toward Reconciliation of Science and Spirituality, by Edward F. Kelly6. An Expanded Conception of Mind, by David E. PrestiNotesBibliographyAcknowledgmentsContributorsIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewAmmeson's work is an easy read and an odd collection of tales of murders, mayhem, madness, and sadness, enhanced with some historical newspaper articles and documents, and many photographs in each chapter. -- Lynette Ford * Folklore *Table of ContentsPreface 1. Phantom of the Cellar 2. Spirits of the Waters 3. Sold Down the River: The Reverse Underground Railroad4. Lincoln Walks at Midnight5. Outwitting the Devil 6. Ghostly Overload 7. A Room with a Ghoul8. John Hunt Morgan 9. The Last Trip Home10. Hauntings Along Michigan's Underground Railroad Routes11. The Conductor and the Slave: The Story of Levi Coffin and William Bush12. Restless Spirits13. There Should Be Ghosts! Bibliography

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewAmmeson's work is an easy read and an odd collection of tales of murders, mayhem, madness, and sadness, enhanced with some historical newspaper articles and documents, and many photographs in each chapter. -- Lynette Ford * Folklore *Table of ContentsPreface 1. Phantom of the Cellar 2. Spirits of the Waters 3. Sold Down the River: The Reverse Underground Railroad4. Lincoln Walks at Midnight5. Outwitting the Devil 6. Ghostly Overload 7. A Room with a Ghoul8. John Hunt Morgan 9. The Last Trip Home10. Hauntings Along Michigan's Underground Railroad Routes11. The Conductor and the Slave: The Story of Levi Coffin and William Bush12. Restless Spirits13. There Should Be Ghosts! Bibliography

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Mr. Braudy’s narrative spans centuries, continents and genres high and low, from the Sirens that tempted Odysseus to the demons Sarah Michelle Gellar faced down in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”—Andrew Hazlett, Wall Street Journal“Braudy is deft and comprehensive, a veritable Linnaeus of the underworldly oversoul. . . . He also has a kangaroo capacity for crossing huge distances at a bound, moving with equal zest and confidence among biblical, classical, medieval, Enlightenment and Hollywood figures and conceits.”—Gregory Maguire, New York Times Book Review“A worthy book—impeccably researched, fluently written and dispassionate in just the way professional historians admire.”—Gerard DeGroot, Times (UK)“Leo Braudy is absolutely enchanting in this book that mixes religion with movies, literature, history, psychology, old creeds, legends.” —Anna Maria Polidori, Alfemminile BlogspotFinalist for the 2016 Bram Stoker Award in the Superior Achievement in Non-Fiction category

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Book SynopsisExplores both familiar and little-known territory about the world's creepiest monster, covering true stories and facts about different types of vampires. This book looks at superstition and folklore surrounding these bloodthirsty creatures and at their portrayals in the entertainment industry.

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Book SynopsisSupernatural and superhuman elements have been prominent in American culture from the time of the New England Puritans. Superpower surveys the appearance of supernatural and superhuman elements in American culture, focusing on the American fascination with narratives involving supernatural adventure, superhuman heroes, and conspiracies driven by supernatural evil.Table of ContentsIntroduction: Culture of Longing--The Supernatural in American CultureChapter One: Not Just a Job: The Longing for Adventure in American History and American Culture Voyages of Discovery: American Adventure from Columbus to Jean-Luc Picard The British Invasion: Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter Make It Big in America Cool Magic: The American Postmodern Epic FantasyChapter Two: Heroism in America: The Longing for Heroes in American History and American Culture American Heroes and Antiheroes: Kings of the Wild Frontier Hard-boiled Magic: The Vampire Detective Girls Kick Butt: The Female Action Hero Buffy Keeps It Cool Teenagers from Outer Space: Teen Angst and the Superhero Narrative Our Others, Our Selves: The Mutant SuperheroChapter Three: U.S. vs. Them: American Paranoia and the Longing for Evil in American History and American Culture Rosemary's Baby and the Horror Boom of the 1970s The X-Files and the Postmodern Conspiracy Narrative: Mapping the Apocalypse Apocalyptic Television at the Turn of the Millennium Finding that Special Place: The Strange Enclave Narrative from Twin Peaks to LostConclusion: The Contradictory Compensations of Popular CultureNotesWorks CitedFilms CitedTelevision Series CitedIndex

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroductionPrologue1. Ouachita Mountains, Oklahoma2. Uwharrie Mountains, North Carolina3. Southern Illinois4. Green Swamp, Florida5. Northern Wisconsin6. Eastern Kentucky7. Salt Fork State Park, Ohio8. Wind River Mountains, WyomingEpilogueNotes

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Book SynopsisSir Arthur Conan Doyle, best known as the author of Sherlock Holmes stories, was entirely convinced by a set of photographs showing two young girls from Cottingley in Yorkshire playing with a group of tiny, translucent fairies. This book lays out the story of the photographs, their supposed provenance, and the implications of their existence.Trade Review“The aging Conan Doyle, who was a noted spiritualist, in 1922 wrote this slim volume in which he presented the ‘facts’ of the phenomenon known as the ‘Cottingley photographs,’ which depicted two young girls playing with what appear to be fairies. Though he apparently believed in their authenticity, Sir Arthur lets readers decide for themselves.”—Library Journal

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Book SynopsisThis book offers a scientific investigation of death-related phenomena such as after-deathcommunication and near-death experiences.Table of ContentsPrologue Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Studying Death Chapter 2: Deathbed Phenomena Chapter 3: After-Death Communication Chapter 4: Mediumship Chapter 5: Instrumental Transcommunication Chapter 6: Anomalous Physical Phenomena Chapter 7: Near-Death Experiences Chapter 8: Past-Life Experiences Chapter 9: The Nature of the Afterlife Epilogue References Index About the Author

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Book SynopsisIn the top corner of the window a pale, milky-white wisp is rising almost to the top of our ten-foot ceiling. I am startled but not afraid. Mostly, I am engrossed; I have never seen anything like this before (or since) and it fascinates me.Dennis Waskul writes these linesabout his first-hand experience with the supernaturalin the introduction to his beguiling book Ghostly Encounters. Based on two years of fieldwork and interviews with 71 midwestern Americans, the Waskuls' book is a reflexive ethnography that examines how people experience ghosts and hauntings in everyday life. The authors explore how uncanny happenings become ghosts, and the reasons people struggle with or against a will to believe. They present the variety and character of hauntings and ghostly encounters, outcomes of people telling haunted legends, and the nested consequences of ghostly experiences. Through these stories, Ghostly Encounters seeks to understand the persistence of uncanny experiences and beliefs in gTable of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgments1 The Trouble with Ghosts2 Ghostly Reason3 Ghostly Topology4 Ghostly Legends5 Ghostly SpeculationsAppendix: Methods and DataReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Within the academy, it will be of particular interest to scholars focusing on the paranormal, esotericism, and the other blurred boundaries between the religious and non-religious in Western society." * Reading Religion *"Paranormal Americais an excellent text for parlaying this interest into an exploration of the sociology of religion." * Nova Religio *"Paranormal America takes the reader on a thought-provoking journey into the study of paranormal beliefs and experiences in the United States. The authors do not take a position with regard to the reality of the paranormal, but, as is appropriate for social scientists, simply seek to describe the prevalence of paranormal beliefs and the characteristics of the people who hold them. This is done not only by summarizing the results of surveys, but also by relating personal accounts and interactions. For example, in this book we are introduced to psychics, UFO abductees, and a self-proclaimed warlock. We go on a hunt for ghosts and a search for Bigfoot, and we learn about the types of equipment that ghost hunters and Bigfoot searchers use. Regardless of one’s personal view with regard to the paranormal, it makes for interesting reading, and the personal accounts serve to develop and put faces on the survey data." -- Review of Religious Research"This is a fun read. Armed with a wealth of stories and a trove of recent surveys, the authors introduce us to those who believe and experience the paranormal. This is an engaging and eye-opening book that offers an abundance of new insights, dispelling some popular stereotypes and reaffirming others." -- Roger Finke,Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies, Pennsylvania State University"This is not merely a second edition of an already fine book, but a landmark in the evolution of modern culture, documenting the significant increase of public interest and richness of popular culture about possibilities that exist just outside the boundaries of science and religion. Nicely blending research data with descriptions of first-hand experiences, it raises the possibility that secularization is actually spiritual diversification, rather than religious decline, and provides a rigorous but poetic basis for many future scholarly studies and personal explorations." -- William Sims Bainbridge,author of eGods: Faith Versus Fantasy in Computer Gaming and Across the Secular Abyss"It’s a rare delight when a book comes my way from a publisher that is both engrossing and intellectually stimulating. Paranormal America: Ghost Encounters, UFO Sightings, Bigfoot Hunts, and Other Curiosities in Religion and Culture, is one that ably checks both columns and will likely soon be nestled on my shelf next to Glen Chilton’s The Attack of The Killer Rhododendrons and Gregory L. Reece’s Weird Science and Bizarre Beliefs: Mysterious Creatures, Lost Worlds and Amazing Inventions... I wholeheartedly recommend this second edition as a strong entry point for anyone interested in the paranormal, whether as a curiosity or academic pursuit." * Journal of Religion and Culture *

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Book SynopsisThe untold account of the countless Americans who believe in, or personally experience, paranormal phenomena such as ghosts, Bigfoot, UFOs and psychics Given the popularity of television shows such as Finding Bigfoot, Ghost Hunters, Supernatural, and American Horror Story, there seems to be an insatiable public hunger for mystical happenings. But who believes in the paranormal? Based on extensive research and their own unique personal experiences, Christopher Bader, Joseph Baker and Carson Mencken reveal that a significant number of Americans hold these beliefs, and that for better or worse, we undoubtedly live in a paranormal America. Readers will join the authors as they participate in psychic and palm readings, and have their auras photographed, join a Bigfoot hunt, follow a group of celebrity ghost hunters as they investigate claims of a haunted classroom, and visit a support group for alien abductees. The second edition includes new and updated research based on findings from the Trade Review"Within the academy, it will be of particular interest to scholars focusing on the paranormal, esotericism, and the other blurred boundaries between the religious and non-religious in Western society." * Reading Religion *"Paranormal Americais an excellent text for parlaying this interest into an exploration of the sociology of religion." * Nova Religio *"Paranormal America takes the reader on a thought-provoking journey into the study of paranormal beliefs and experiences in the United States. The authors do not take a position with regard to the reality of the paranormal, but, as is appropriate for social scientists, simply seek to describe the prevalence of paranormal beliefs and the characteristics of the people who hold them. This is done not only by summarizing the results of surveys, but also by relating personal accounts and interactions. For example, in this book we are introduced to psychics, UFO abductees, and a self-proclaimed warlock. We go on a hunt for ghosts and a search for Bigfoot, and we learn about the types of equipment that ghost hunters and Bigfoot searchers use. Regardless of one’s personal view with regard to the paranormal, it makes for interesting reading, and the personal accounts serve to develop and put faces on the survey data." -- Review of Religious Research"This is a fun read. Armed with a wealth of stories and a trove of recent surveys, the authors introduce us to those who believe and experience the paranormal. This is an engaging and eye-opening book that offers an abundance of new insights, dispelling some popular stereotypes and reaffirming others." -- Roger Finke,Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies, Pennsylvania State University"This is not merely a second edition of an already fine book, but a landmark in the evolution of modern culture, documenting the significant increase of public interest and richness of popular culture about possibilities that exist just outside the boundaries of science and religion. Nicely blending research data with descriptions of first-hand experiences, it raises the possibility that secularization is actually spiritual diversification, rather than religious decline, and provides a rigorous but poetic basis for many future scholarly studies and personal explorations." -- William Sims Bainbridge,author of eGods: Faith Versus Fantasy in Computer Gaming and Across the Secular Abyss"It’s a rare delight when a book comes my way from a publisher that is both engrossing and intellectually stimulating. Paranormal America: Ghost Encounters, UFO Sightings, Bigfoot Hunts, and Other Curiosities in Religion and Culture, is one that ably checks both columns and will likely soon be nestled on my shelf next to Glen Chilton’s The Attack of The Killer Rhododendrons and Gregory L. Reece’s Weird Science and Bizarre Beliefs: Mysterious Creatures, Lost Worlds and Amazing Inventions... I wholeheartedly recommend this second edition as a strong entry point for anyone interested in the paranormal, whether as a curiosity or academic pursuit." * Journal of Religion and Culture *

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Book SynopsisWhen a dark shadow passes overhead, do you stop? Or do you run? Infamous sky monsters have haunted our imaginations for centuries. The Thunderbird, steeped in Native American folklore, supposedly controls evil by throwing lightning. The Jersey Devil is said to roam the Pine Barrens of South Jersey, terrorizing anyone who crosses its path. And the cryptic warnings of Mothman have worried residents of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, since the 1960s. In A Guide to Sky Monsters: Thunderbirds, the Jersey Devil, Mothman, and Other Flying Cryptids, authors T. S. Mart and Mel Cabre introduce 20 flying cryptids with legends that span the United States. With 70 hand-drawn illustrations, A Guide to Sky Monsters details our fascination with these creatures and describes both historical evidence found in the fossil record and the specifics of modern-day sightings. By studying the fact, fiction, and pop culture surrounding these notorious beasts, Mart and Cabre help us lean into the question, "What if?"A Guide to Sky Monsters, perfect for the believer and skeptic alike, addresses the wider truths about flying cryptids and leaves us all to wonder whether that breeze was the wind or a wing.Trade ReviewWinged cryptids are a mainstay of forteana, and appear in may guises across the world. This book concentrates initially on American examples, but offers more than just a basic listing and description of various crypto-species. -- Richard Samuels * Magonia Review *After surveying the world of hairy humanoids in their debut book, The Legend of Bigfoot, the motherdaughter team of TS Mart and Mel Cabre next turn their attention skyward for a similar survey of winged things in their A Guide To Sky Monsters. . . . Beyond reviewing these American monsters' familiar origins and their body of lore, the authors dig a good bit deeper to provide cultural context, helping to explain the significance of, say, birds of prodigious size in Native American spiritual beliefs, while quite carefully equivocating on whether real animals gave rise to those beliefs, or if those beliefs primed people to see the animals (or believe they saw them, as the case may be). . . . If there's another Mart and Cabre book of monsters on the shelf soon, I'd welcome it. FIVE STARS -- Caleb Mozzocco * Fortean Times *Table of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgments1. What Are Sky Monsters?2. Who's Who in the American Sky?3. History and Legends4. Sky Monster Culture5. Fact or Fiction?6. Who's Who in the Sky around the World?NotesSources and Further ReadingIndex

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Book SynopsisWhen a dark shadow passes overhead, do you stop? Or do you run? Infamous sky monsters have haunted our imaginations for centuries. The Thunderbird, steeped in Native American folklore, supposedly controls evil by throwing lightning. The Jersey Devil is said to roam the Pine Barrens of South Jersey, terrorizing anyone who crosses its path. And the cryptic warnings of Mothman have worried residents of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, since the 1960s. In A Guide to Sky Monsters: Thunderbirds, the Jersey Devil, Mothman, and Other Flying Cryptids, authors T. S. Mart and Mel Cabre introduce 20 flying cryptids with legends that span the United States. With 70 hand-drawn illustrations, A Guide to Sky Monsters details our fascination with these creatures and describes both historical evidence found in the fossil record and the specifics of modern-day sightings. By studying the fact, fiction, and pop culture surrounding these notorious beasts, Mart and Cabre help us lean into the question, "What if?"A Guide to Sky Monsters, perfect for the believer and skeptic alike, addresses the wider truths about flying cryptids and leaves us all to wonder whether that breeze was the wind or a wing.Trade Review"Winged cryptids are a mainstay of forteana, and appear in may guises across the world. This book concentrates initially on American examples, but offers more than just a basic listing and description of various crypto-species."—Richard Samuels, Magonia Review"After surveying the world of hairy humanoids in their debut book, The Legend of Bigfoot, the motherdaughter team of TS Mart and Mel Cabre next turn their attention skyward for a similar survey of winged things in their A Guide To Sky Monsters. . . . Beyond reviewing these American monsters' familiar origins and their body of lore, the authors dig a good bit deeper to provide cultural context, helping to explain the significance of, say, birds of prodigious size in Native American spiritual beliefs, while quite carefully equivocating on whether real animals gave rise to those beliefs, or if those beliefs primed people to see the animals (or believe they saw them, as the case may be). . . . If there's another Mart and Cabre book of monsters on the shelf soon, I'd welcome it. FIVE STARS"—Caleb Mozzocco, Fortean Times"A Guide to Sky Monsters by T. S. Mart and Mel Cabre does more than simply recite creepy critter stories. It's an introduction to a world you might not have realized even exists. One just above your head whose inhabitants are giant birds, terrifying demons, and creatures previously thought extinct. What T. S. and Mel do is open our minds to ideas and beasts . . . in a time where every discovery is thought to have been made. They're to be commended as much for inspiring us to seek out answers as they are for weaving together the various strands of these centuries-old mysteries."—Seth Breedlove, Small Town Media

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Book SynopsisCatherine has a special gift; it's a blessing and a curse. She is haunted by demons, ghosts from her family's past and from Glasgow's disturbing history. A 19th century murder, 21st century prostitution ring and 20th century drowning. Meet Pat Jones, a restless murdered soul who tells the tale of stolen love, betrayal, murder and prostitution. It all becomes very personal for Catherine Fleming a young psychic who quickly becomes embroiled in a murky Glasgow underworld she had never imagined in her worst nightmares. The more she tries to ignore the voices, the more she is drawn into the realm of the dead and the world of human trafficking. Can she discover the secret buried deep within her family's history and the secrets hidden in a city linking the past with the present? It began with Pat Jones and a river...where will it end?Trade ReviewA tense, mesmerising thriller whose heroine's gift of communicating with the dead draws her into dark and dangerous waters, not just in Victorian Glasgow but in the modern city, with its prostitution, woman trafficking, drugs and gangs. I read it in a single sitting... and so will you! -- Jean Rafferty, journalist; author of Myra, Beyond Saddleworth I have just finished reading Nikki MacKay's new book Dead Men Talking. She has used her knowledge and spiritual background to bring together a captivating story woven with intrigue and mystery which makes the reader want more. The story surrounds a medium who is the central character and how she connects with the spirit world for information, albeit a story, it is also helpful in informing the reader how intuition and mediumship actually works and I could personally relate to this side of it. I really loved the book and didn't want to put it down. -- Joan Charles, Scottish Sun Oracle columnist; author of An Angel Walked Beside Me In her book Nikki McKay takes us to another world, the world of the dead, a world that is strange, at times extremely scary and, as it interfaces with the present, definitely opens your eyes to the underbelly of our Scottish society as it is revealed in it's absolute horror. Psychics can undoubtedly help police in their quest to unravel sordid crime of this nature, the crime against the feminine energy which is demonstrated in so many different ways around this planet. A riveting, compelling read. -- Patricia Iris Kerins

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Book SynopsisA book discussing the work of leading paranormal investigator Jayne Harris and her studies into haunted objects.

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Book SynopsisThink Zen and the Art of Spending the Night in a Haunted House, a celebration of the dream of finding something undiscovered and different.

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Book SynopsisAre the marketing men of the world deluding us? Can we believe all that we hear and see? Or are we deluding ourselves? How many of us are truly happy? This book is the result of an awakening. It is the same awakening to the self and to the wonder of the cosmos that has driven thinking men and women for generations. It is the same awakening that has been the generative cause of the affect of religion and belief. It is the same awakening that has then caused man to revolt against the same. Delusion is a human phenomenon and it is the cause of almost every problem mankind has created. This book is an attempt to explain the processes of delusion and in so-doing we find answers to some of the biggest mysteries: Alien abduction and UFO's ghosts and the paranormal, marketing, propaganda and religious, and mind control of the masses. Is mankind ready for truth? Not only is it out there, it's been waiting for us.Trade Review"An enjoyable read, and I learned a lot about marketing and the unexpected influence of human instinct in our decision-making." Andy Lloyd; "Delusion is a read that is almost like a double-edged sword. While Gardiner tackles the notion of how we are inundated with messages that leave us somewhat deluded, I was left with the feeling we are dummies. However, personally I think I am indeed an intelligent person who can see-through the veil of delusions, subliminal marketing, fairytale propaganda and so on. It is a clever book with clever notions and worthy of a read. Keep in mind - your mind - and keep your mind." Deborah K Bates

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Book SynopsisPruebas científicas de la presencia continua de la conciencia, aunque no esté vinculada con un organismo vivoExamina los descubrimientos acerca de la supervivencia de la conciencia más allá de la vida, incluidas las experiencias cercanas a la muerte, la comunicación después de la muerte y la reencarnaciónExplica cómo ello se correlaciona con exactitud con novedosas teorías físicas sobre las supercuerdas, los campos de información y las matrices energéticasRevela que la conciencia se manifiesta en los seres vivos para continuar su evoluciónLaszlo y Peake plantean que la conciencia está presente ininterrumpidamente en el cosmos y puede existir sin estar vinculada con un organismo vivo. Entre las pruebas científicas en que se basa ese punto de vista figuran las experiencias cercanas a la muerte, la comunicación después de la muerte y la información neurosensorial recibida en estados alterados. Dicha persistencia de la conciencia se correlaciona con exactitud con los últimos adelantos de la Física, que postula que las cosas en nuestro plano espacio-temporal no son intrínsecamente reales sino manifestaciones de una dimensión velada en la que existen en forma de supercuerdas, campos de información y matrices energéticas.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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