Ghost Hunting: How to Investigate the Paranormal [Paperback]

Loyd Auerbach (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 16, 2003

Based on parapsychology research from the last 100 years, Ghost Hunting explains what ghosts are, contains true-life case histories, and covers every step of the investigative process, from the initial call and assessment, to on-site techniques and technology, to actually expelling the apparition. Other topics include separating the normal (fraudulent or mistaken cases) from the paranormal; using psychics in investigations; and addressing legal, ethical, and media issues. Photographs, illustrations, charts, tables, and worksheets are included in this commonsense approach to this field.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

LOYD AUERBACH, M.S., is the Director of the Office of Paranormal Investigations, a consulting Editor for FATE Magazine, President of the California Society for Psychical Study, an adjunct Professor at JFK University and President of the international organization, the Psychic Entertainers Association.

Auerbach holds a degree in Cultural Anthropology from Northwestern University and a graduate degree in Parapsychology from John F. Kennedy University.

He recently co-founded a new association, the Paranormal Research Organization, which is aimed at networking and bringing professional standards to paranormal investigators all over the world.

He is a professional mentalist and psychic entertainer, performing as Professor Paranormal.

Loyd Auerbach has appeared on hundreds of radio shows, and dozens of local and national TV shows, including Larry King Live, Unsolved Mysteries, The Today Show, OPRAH, Sightings, and Late Night with David Letterman. He is constantly haunting occasional new shows and many re-runs on TechTV, the Discovery Channel, A&E, the History Channel and The Learning Channel. He is featured in and was Series Consultant for the fall 2001 Travel Channel mini-series "America's Most Haunted Places."

He has been conducting his investigations and research in the world of psychic phenomena and the paranormal for close to 25 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Ronin Publishing (December 16, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579510671
• ISBN-13: 978-1579510671
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,185,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very Dry Read., January 14, 2004

By 

Mern (Four dimensional space) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Ghost Hunting: How to Investigate the Paranormal (Paperback)

I understand that Mr. Auerbach is quite versed in his field and highly respected amongst his peers however this book falls short.

During the first few chapters I got the impression that Mr. Auerbach just banged them out over the course of an hour or two. It came across as very impersonal and at some points bordered on arrogant.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that what he is presenting is wrong. It's just he has a very simplistic approach to his facts. Also he leaves little to no room for other explanations. For example, the small section I read on the Ouija board more put it into the light of "Subconscious manipulation" and disregarded any other notion that it is anything else but a toy. Chalking up all the bad experiences that so many people have experienced as "Coincidence" or them searching for or creating problems for them selves. That to me pretty much sealed it. Granted that is correct to a point but it is not the final say in the subject as he would have you believe. He is so convinced of his own expertise that if it doesn't fit his mold or ideas it's just simply wrong (my impression).

Now I'm not some New-Age moron, neither do I believe in fairies and dragons. I fancy my self a scientist and a student, with an open mind. However this book is written in more of a presentational manner of explaining 100% all paranormal phenomenon. As if it has all the answers....It doesn't.

I bought three books on the subject at the same time and this was the one I was really looking forward to the most but I must say that I am quite disappointed.

Lots of assumed facts presented in a very rushed manner.

Some aspects of "Close mindedness" are very apparent.

He conveys a sense of "No other explanation so I am right."

He makes up your mind for you.

I'm sure he has experienced things that most of us never will, BUT in this field it is still for the most part theories and speculation. His grand experiences doesn't make him a good writer either.

He has not cracked the code, other wise he would have been on every cover of ever magazine. On every news show and be worth BILLIONS. By reading this, you'd think he had.

I had to put it down half way through.

I started reading Southalls book and talk about a breath of fresh air. I will keep you posted as I delve deeper, but the first couple of chapters are very well written and have been quite enjoyable to read.

If you are really interested in the subject, do your self a favor and get more then one book. The murkiness of this field requires a lot of cross-referencing, get as many pieces to the puzzle as you can but never force them together.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful addition to any ghost hunter's library, December 17, 2003

By 

Pamela R. Heath "www.pamelaheath.com, author ... (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ghost Hunting: How to Investigate the Paranormal (Paperback)

This is an absolutely fabulous book! It explains in clear and simple terms the basics of parapsychology, what kind of techniques and equipment are useful in ghostbusting, and what questions should be asked (both privately and of your colleagues and witnesses), all delightfully illustrated. What I like best is how well it lays out the do's and don'ts to keep the beginner on the right track and out of trouble. It's a must-have book for anyone with an interest in ghost hunting by one of the true leading experts in the field!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Longwinded, July 23, 2008

By 

T. L. Paige (New England) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ghost Hunting: How to Investigate the Paranormal (Paperback)

I respect Loyd Auerbach immensely, but the chapters in this book are so longwinded when it comes to psi abilities that it leaves non-psychic investigators out of the loop. I understand that Mr. Auerbach is a mentalist but when writing a book with the subcaption: How to Investigate the paranormal, you'd expect it to be for people of non-psychic ability as well.
Overall the book is informative if you have "medium" abilities but does little for the regular investigative scientist.