Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
For lovers of all things supernatural and the occult, an entertaining and accessible popular history of our cultural fascination with ghosts, from the rise of Spiritualism in the Victorian era to The Conjuring franchise, illustrated with rarely seen documents and line drawings. From our earliest conceptions of ghosts to A&E's Ghosthunters, Chasing Ghosts explores our obsession with the spiritual world--and what that says about our relationship with life, death, and everything in between.
The ghost tour begins with a brief history of ancient and medieval ghosts, the Fox Sisters and the rise of Spiritualism in the 19th century, and early notable ghost believers like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The tour takes a turn for the terrifying as we explore famous haunted sites like the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia and the LaLaurie House in New Orleans, and learn about famous ghosts like the Bell Witch of Tennessee and the Greenbrier Ghost of West Virginia. Along the way, we hear the stories of ghost hunters like Ed and Lorraine Warren, learn the history of ghost photography, and see how people are using modern-day technology to prove the existence of ghosts.
Author and researcher Marc Hartzman expertly blends popular history and pop culture with his entertaining style, wit, and a trove of archival material that will satisfy believers and skeptics alike.
Synopsis
For fans of offbeat pop history, a spirited tour through the supernatural history of America, from its haunted sites to its famous ghosts to its ghost-obsessed pop culture. Ghosts are everywhere--whether you believe in them or not. Every town has its local legends, and countless books, movies, and TV shows are haunted by their presence. But our obsession with ghosts runs deeper than we know--and is embedded in the very fabric of American history.
Writer and historian Marc Hartzman dons the mantle of tour guide, taking readers on a fascinating journey through supernatural history, including:
- The Fox Sisters and the rise of Spiritualism
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The tour takes a turn for the terrifying as we explore famous haunted sites like the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia and the LaLaurie House in New Orleans, and learn about famous ghosts like the Bell Witch of Tennessee and the Greenbrier Ghost of West Virginia. Along the way, we hear the stories of ghost hunters like Ed and Lorraine Warren, learn the history of ghost photography, and see how people are using modern-day technology to prove the existence of ghosts.
Deeply researched and presented in an entertaining and accessible way, Marc Hartzman expertly blends popular history, pop culture, and a trove of archival material that will satisfy believers and skeptics alike.
Synopsis
"A fantastic book."--Ben Kissel, co-host of Last Podcast on the Left Take a spirited tour through the supernatural history of America, from its haunted sites to its famous ghosts to its ghost-obsessed pop culture.
Ghosts are everywhere--whether you believe in them or not. Every town has its local legends, and countless books, movies, and TV shows are haunted by their presence. But our obsession with ghosts runs deeper than we know--and is embedded in the very fabric of American history.
Writer and historian Marc Hartzman dons the mantle of tour guide, taking readers on a fascinating journey through supernatural history, including:
- The Fox Sisters and the rise of Spiritualism
- The supernatural obsessions of famous figures like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Famous haunted sites like the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia and the LaLaurie House in New Orleans
- Famous ghosts like the Bell Witch of Tennessee and the Greenbrier Ghost of West Virginia
- Paranormal investigators like Ed and Lorraine Warren
Deeply researched and highly entertaining, with archival images and black and white illustrations, Chasing Ghosts will satisfy believers and skeptics alike.