Ghost Stories of California [Paperback]

Barbara Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 13, 2000

California's rich and colorful history has produced a wealth of tales about the supernatural. These unique tales of scary folklore come from all over the state and include such legends as the ghostly sailors that roam the decks of the Queen Mary at Long Beach to the malevolent phantoms that still haunt Alcatraz.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Her book brings to the reader tales from little towns and big cities all over the state, weaving together murder and tragedy with mystery and misfortune in a chilling collection of paranormal tales. --Mountain Democrat, Placerville, CA

About the Author

BARBARA SMITH has always been a collector of folklore and in recent years has successfully combined it with her other passion, writing. She is the author of 16 ghost stories books to date, many of them best-sellers. A charismatic public speaker, Barbara is a frequent guest on radio and television. The Toronto-born author has lived for many years in western Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Lone Pine Publishing (June 13, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551052377
• ISBN-13: 978-1551052373
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,056,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Barbara Smith is a photographer, author, and self-admitted Photoshop junkie. Having designed stationery items for Rachel Ashwell (Shabby Chic Design), the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, and the Hotel Del Coronado, she is also the author of 'The Art & Craft of Keepsake Photography' (2007 - Watson-Guptill/Amphoto). Her second book, 'Baby Face: Celebrating Your Pregnancy and Baby with Beautiful Photo Crafts,' will be published in the spring of 2008.

Barbara teaches workshops in her West Hollywood studio, offering detailed instruction on combining photographs, graphic design, and book and paper arts to create unique social stationery, small books, albums, and distinctive promotional material. Photographers are thrilled and often surprised to discover that, using Photoshop (the full version or Elements), they're able to design simple yet dynamic layouts.

Here's what others have said about her books and workshops:

'This class offered something I haven't seen anywhere else. I don't know anyone else who is teaching this ' I didn't even know it was possible. '

'I have searched the Internet extensively to gather information and how-to in this specialized area of photography, and I haven't had much luck. I was overjoyed to discover Barbara's books and workshops!'

'In three hours Barbara totally changed the way I'll be doing business cards, note cards, books, photo albums, etc. This is a big part of the answer to my perennial question ' what do I do with my favorite photos? Barbara combines easy, elegant design with quality materials and techniques to bring your presentation to a whole new level.'

'It is astounding to me how many referrals you get by incorporating this type of product into your photographic business. I was contacted by several different people who, after seeing the holiday cards, decided to have their own custom stationery made using personal images.'

Please visit Barbara's website (www.bsmithphotography.com). Be sure to sign up for her newsletter, and be on the lookout for a new line of Photoshop template-based kits she'll be offering in 2008.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read for fans of ghost stories..., June 27, 2007

By 

John Beowulf "beowulfborealis" (Eastern Sierra) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ghost Stories of California (Paperback)

I must admit that I am weak for books like this one. I love taking them camping and reading the stories around the campfire. This book is particularly well researched and written. It isn't a bunch of "stories" but rather historical accounts about places in California that have a history about them. I have not even finished the book and felt I must give it the five-star ghost story recommend!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Good starting point...but not enough information., January 30, 2011

By 

J. Brown (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ghost Stories of California (Paperback)

I was very disappointed with this book. As a citizen of California, a history major and a fan of ghost stories, I feel like this book did not provide enough information. The author gives the bare minimum of information. For example, she writes about a haunted record store in Sacramento. I live in Sacramento and I cannot figure out from her vague description what record store she's talking about. It would have been nice to have addresses of these haunted locations so we could go check them out for our selves if we wanted to. One positive thing I do have to say from reading this book, I now realize it doesn't take much to research, write and publish a book, and I have decided to write one myself. :)

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good, October 27, 2005

By 

Kristie Linn (Burbank,CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ghost Stories of California (Paperback)

I am not even half through this book yet but this is a very, very good book. I always see this book at Barnes and Noble but I never bought it but thanks to my mom she got it for me and I love it. The stories seem so fake but then they seem so real. dont know if that made any sence but it is very good. Cant wait to get the others.