Customer Reviews

Ghosthunters: On the Trail of Mediums, Dowsers, Spirit Seekers, and Other Investigators of America's Paranormal World

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4 star:		(4)
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2 star:		(1)
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BOOKIDEAS.COM REVIEWER MARIE D. JONES SAYS:
Imagine spending your life hunting ghosts and spectral entities. Ghosts may have been around for time immemorial, but only recently have those who seek things that go bump in the night been in such a prominent, and enviably exciting, position in today's media. Ghosthunters are all the rage, and author John Kachuba presents a fascinating, illuminating, and often downright humorous account of his own experiences hanging around with ghosts, and the people who hunt them.

Kachuba is the author of "Ghosthunting Ohio" and "Ghosthunting Illinois," and in his newest book, "Ghosthunters: On the Trail of Mediums, Dowsers, Spirit Seekers and Other Investigators of America's Paranormal World," he takes the reader on a wild ride to haunted locales across the nation. We are introduced to a wide variety of paranormal investigators, mediums and others who talk to the dead and Kachuba takes a journalistic and objective approach as he interviews these amazing people, and even participates in some ghost chasing of his own.

It is this objective, investigative approach that makes this book work so well. The author clearly has an affinity for the subject of ghosts, but never pressures the reader to believe in one theory over another. Rather, through interviews and his own sometimes witty ponderings, the author shows that there is more to the ghost phenomenon than we've ever imagined. Investigators like Joshua P. Warren offer some food for thought that is heavy on the scientific angle, while others featured in the book, such as Spiritualist Rev. Rose bring a more metaphysical approach to the topic at hand. We also get to meet a demonologist with a more religious angle, as well as many researchers who seem to combine the psychic with the scientific in their pursuit of understanding the nature of ghosts and hauntings.

Kachuba was fortunate to also spend some quality time with Ed and Lorraine Warren, known as the original ghosthunters and one of the paranormal community's most respected team of investigators, as well as Mary Ann Winkowski, the down-to-earth real ghost whisperer around whom the popular CBS drama is based. He also visited places like a haunted asylum, a spooky farmhouse, and even a historic battlefield that still echoes with the ghostly visions of a war fought long ago.

"Ghosthunters" is hard to put down, and filled with adventures that walk that fine line between the real world, and the spirit world, often with one foot in each. Kachuba not only educates, but also entertains in a way other books of this genre often fail to do as they strive for a more serious "professional" tone. This author seems to have found that perfect combination of serious and professional, and warm and humorous, and his passion for his subject is contagious.

If you have seen a ghost, know someone who has seen a ghost, or are just plain attracted to the subject of ghosts, and who isn't, this is a thrill ride of a book and a great way to get to know those unique places and people in America that prove there is more to reality than meets the eye.
MARIE D. JONES, author of PSIENCE: HOW NEW DISCOVERIES IN QUANTUM PHYSICS AND NEW SCIENCE MAY EXPLAIN THE EXISTENCE OF PARANORMAL PHENOMENA."

Often, I am disappointed by the quality of writing in books about ghosts and the paranormal. John Kachuba, however, does not disappoint. He recounts his personal exploration of various types of ghosthunting with a variety of fascinating people in a balanced and thoroughly entertaining way. This is an excellent introduction to the subject, and enjoyable reading for novices and enthusiasts alike.

Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, this book is both entertaining and informative. Kachuba handles the sometmes hair-raising and often baffling subject with flair and humor. I write ghost stories myself, though in a metaphoric manner. Kachuba's books have been a useful resource.

I bought John's book during a recent trip to the Suwannee River near Live Oak, Florida. The Suwannee with its history and dark, Spanish moss covered banks reminded me of a place where ghosts or at least their stories might exist so while plying a nearby book store I bought of copy of Ghost Hunter.

The writing in this book is top-notch. I finished reading a couple of books I had taken with me on the trip and found the writing to be abysmal at best. In this book, the writing was crisp, smart and constructed properly. In addition, it had just the right amount of humor. I suspect the author could easily slip into a writer of comedic fare if he chooses to pursue that avenue.

The 22 chapters were extremely varied in their content. This is also a positive. It was really a fun read to bounce between Civil War cemeteries to haunted items for sale on e-bay. It made the book a real page turner keeping the reader's interest through out the book. I did take away one star from a book that probably deserves 5 stars. The reason is the back cover proclaimed the author as "neither a gullible believer nor a skeptical disbeliever". I found this to be misleading. I wanted a little more skepticism. It seemed to me, at the end of the day, the author is a true believer. That is okay but it disagrees with what I had been led to believe. Another minor point; the book cover also states the author is a Certified Ghost Hunter. This almost caused me not to buy the book as if anything sounds flaky a CGH would be it. Happily I read in the book where he explored this area of certification but only as research for his book.

Buy this book if you have even the slightest interest in this subject. The breath and depth of Ghost Hunters will satisfy. Highly recommended! Michael L. Gooch, Author of Wingtips with Spurs

I bought this book due to it's inclusion of an investigation I participated with, the "haunted coffeehouse." My friend David Considine is also the subject of a chapter... as is Ed and Lorraine Warren, who helped pioneer the whole field of research.

Yet the book is so well written, I soon found myself reading all the chapters. Much to John's credit, he covered a wide spectrum of ghost researchers, and a wide variety of approaches. Not only is this book informative, it is entertaining and injected with humor.

I recommend this book to all interested in the topic!

Jeff Messenger, author of "The Shroud of Torrington."

John Kachuba takes you along on his quest to figure out what's up with ghost hunters in America today. He has a great way of bringing you into that quest. Love it. I'll look for more of John Kachuba.

John Kachuba is a wonderful writer that takes you to real places and introduces you to very real people that are involved in trying to find answers about the paranormal. John's style of writing grabs your attention immediately and never let's go. Ghosthunters is a book that will keep you hooked all the way to the back cover! A fine work of art that I highly recommend to everyone!

Informative, entertaining and well written. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the paranormal.

Rose Pressey
Author of "My Haunted Family"

I was thoroughly entertained by this book. At first, I thought that some of the chapters went nowhere, but it really was an inside look on what most ghost hunters go through. There were a few extremely fascinating chapters that made me want to read more on those subjects, such as "The Real Ghost Whisperer". I wished there was more additional information in the back, but overall I think this is an excellent starter book for anyone who is interested in reasearching the paranormal . . . it most certainly provides "Ghostology 101". There are also some very humorous aspects of the book and a cute quiz in the front. If you're nitpicky, you'll notice some editing problems. I think this book is a great one to keep around, suggests some helpful websites, and is definitely worth the buy.

GhostHunters, by John Kachuba (New Page books, Career Press) is a book one might find themselves engrossed in and not even know why...It's that kind of book.

From chapter 1 "Ghostology 101" through the final chapter the book is, if nothing at all, entertaining. John's ability to communicate his thoughts and experiences in such a candid and honest fashion is a breath of fresh air. It seems when it comes to books pertaining to the paranormal there are generally two categories, books that present information in a way as to only be believed if read in front of a campfire or books that are so jargon packed and bland you'd almost rather be a spirit yourself rather than try to understand them by it. Ghosthunters, on the other hand is the tastefully written story of "the ghosthunter" himself as he travels throughout Ohio and portions of Florida in search of answers.

With so many years of investigating beneath his belt, Kachuba discloses his experiences with prominent paranormal investigators such as Joshua P. Warren, and the Queen of Deliverance, acclaimed demonologist Lorraine Warren and a slew of others. Add to the mix the varied opinions of even more seasoned experts in a number of fields, the likes many a novice may have never heard of and you have a man with an '87 Buick Skyhawk painted to the T with ghosts, tombstones, demons you might yet take serious.

From the famed battlefields at Gettysburg and Shiloh to CBS's the Ghost Whisperer, John Kachuba, wit in tow, has been there asking the questions we wish we had the opportunity to ask!

In closing, I'll be adding Mr. Kachuba to my top 10 list of people I'd get a kick out of getting tanked and then sitting back to hear the stories. Whether you are a skeptic, a believer or someone in search of a great read, Ghosthunters delivers.

Be sure to check out the author's other works: Ghosthunting Illinois and Ghosthunting Ohio.