Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #645586 in Books
• Published on: 2000-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 430 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Four hundred entries arranged A-to-Z flesh out our beliefs about all that haunts. Illustrations.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
This encyclopedia is about as fair as one can expect about a subject that many people think doesn't exist. The author ( Harper's Encyclopedia of Mystical and Paranormal Experience , LJ 8/91) has tried to read much of the skeptical literature and at least to report what it says. Yes, the believers get much more coverage, but there is an attempt to present both sides. The accuracy of the book is also fairly high. A number of errors do occur, which, surprisingly, seem not to have been copied from other sources but to have resulted from misremembering. These small errors do not significantly affect the utility of the book. A useful addition to the reference collection of any academic or public library.
- Gordon Stein, Univ. of Rhode Island, Kingston
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Arranged alphabetically, this compilation of facts pertaining to actual investigations and theories as well as the history of ghosts and hauntings greatly expands the first edition. Entries vary between a few sentences (Afrit , an Arabian demon) and to nearly two pages (Hyslop, James Hervey [1854-1920], who conducted physical research). Many entries are followed by references for further reading, including Web sites. A few illustrations and photos are provided, and see references are frequent. The writing style is very readable, and browsers may find themselves reading the entire work.The only really comparable publication is the British publication Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits by John and Anne Spencer (Headline, 1993), which came out a year after Guiley's first edition. It needs updating and is not nearly as comprehensive as Guiley's new edition. If the first edition was well used, buy reference and circulating copies of the second at this reasonable price. Recommended for high-school, public, and academic libraries. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

I cannot say enough
Since purchasing this book a few years ago, it has left me on a search for others like it and has definitely set a high standard for each book that I find in this genre. It is an incredible reference book, an absolutely fantastic read, and a book that you will pick up over and over again. If you get it in hard-copy, it even makes a fun and surprisingly beautiful coffee table book. Everyone who has picked up this book in my house can't put it down and the last time I loaned it out, I didn't get it back!

This was my first purchase of a Rosemary Guiley book, and since then I have developed a tremendous amount of respect for her. She is accurate, thorough and reasonably objective. The format of this book is part of what makes it so much fun to read . . . it's in actual encylocpedic alphabetical form . . . Read one short entry or a longer one, no need to mark the page, flip the book open again to a random page and read a different entry . . .

I appreciate that these are true accounts and actual beliefs from all over the world. Rosemary lets you decide for yourself what you want to believe and some entries in this book will have you sleeping with the lights on!

I've become a snob toward other books in this genre, very few can hold up to Rosemary's thorough reasearch and delightful formatting!

A "Must Have" reference on the Paranormal
This volume of over 400 pages contains entries on hundreds of paranormal topics from 'afterlife' to 'zombie'. Entries vary in length from a paragraph to several pages, included are entries on paranormal terminology and concepts, biographical summaries on individuals relevant to the field of the paranormal, and details on numerous famous paranormal cases and locations. Entries provide cross references and sources for additional reading on each subject.

A must have book for any paranormal researcher, all will find new and fascinating information contained within.

Guiley does it again
Guiley has a knack for puting together information-packed books. This one is chock-full of useful info, which is great for gamers (like me and my friends). The backstory and descriptions of the ghosts and ghostlike creatures is great. My only complaint is that the writing is pretty dry. It reads more like a college thesis than a book written for the public. I still recommend it to everyone.