Customer Reviews

Historic Haunted America

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Written by Beth Scott and Michael Norman who also wrote Haunted Heartland, and Haunted America, HIstoric Haunted America documented, state by state, and a special section on Canada, alledged true ghostly hauntings.

Like their two previous ghostly efforts, Historic Haunted America described in more details than you'd like, the hauntings in question, and the stories behind it. Some are poignant, but most others are terrifying...with tales of curses, murder, revenge and lost souls.

The most interesting chapter is the one on Hawaii, where the legendary volanic goddess Pele is featured.

I read this book in my bed one night and was so creep out by it that I jumped at every small noise and nearly went into a panic attack when the phone rang.

This book is not for the squeamish.

This book offers an exciting look into an unknown world. With at least one, if not a few stories from each state and province in the US and Canada, you are bound to read about something close to home. Some stories are not about strange happenings and mysterious people, but about lost loves and broken hearts. I thought some were a little boring, and was tempted to skip to something more interesting. Some 'claimed' haunted houses discussed in the book are open to the public. Included with some stories is very general information on visiting them. I learned about Hampton House in Maryland through Historic Haunted America and visited it. The National Parks Service now maintains it. The government denied and stories of hauntings there. Overall, an excellent book and I can wait to read Haunted America and Haunted Heartland.

Michael Norman and Beth Scott have written several books about ghosts and they are all well written and fun to read. Sadly, Beth Scott has passed away and their collaboration has thus ended, but it was good while it lasted.

This book is very well researched and convincing. There is even a bibliography, which is unusual for this type of book. There are not however a lot of bone chilling, now I can't sleep type of stories in this book. That is because this is a book of historic hauntings. Some are still current and ongoing but many of the spooks found within these pages have long since vanished as have many of their haunts. Still, wherever eyewitnesses could be quoted, they were. That always adds to the validity of a ghost sighting.

There are stories to be found here from every state of the Union and every province of Canada, so chances are one of the locations mentioned will be near you. Most interestingly, some of the old stories are updated with new information. For example, most everyone has heard of the Bell Witch but assume it is gone. Norman and Scott have not only examined strange occurrences that are still happening in the Bell Witch Cave but also have talked to some descendants of John Bell. I knew of the happenings in the Cave but was not aware that some in the Bell family believe the Witch is still involved with their clan. Could the Bell family still be haunted? According to this book they just may be.

Unfortunately the authors can't resist putting a few old Indian legends in the book. Some phenomena like the humming river are still active and the legends are an interesting explanation of the cause. Still, many of the old Indian legends were never ghost tails to begin with and just do not belong in this type of book. I may harp on this topic a little too much but it is one of my pet peeves.

This is not the best of this duo's books but it is still well worth a read. This pair views their topic with a bit of skepticism, which if not overdone is a good thing. Their writing is clear and they don't ramble on with useless information just to fill up space. We owe quite a debt to Norman and Scott for all their work collecting ghost stories over the years and their books deserve to be on any ghost aficionado's bookshelf.

This is one of the best collections of real life ghost stories that I have ever read. The haunting entitled, "Night of Horrors" sent chills down my spine!! If you like reading about real life ghost stories, then I highly suggest this book. There are also 2 more books by the same authors. Just don't read these in the dark because when the lights go off....the rules change.....

I enjoyed this book a lot because of the intricate detail and extreme work that went into this book. Good use of the original sources. A must have for anyone interested in American History...

Norman and Scott's "Historic Haunted America" is a diverse collection of ghost stories culled from the folklore of the United States and Canada. The book rarely delivers a story that is as "shocking" as its jacket promises; most of the anecdotes are obviously legends that have been passed down from one generation to the next and, as a result, have lost much of their emotional impact. However, a few stories do provide the chills and thrills so necessary to a book of the nonfiction horror genre. Norman and Scott have extensively researched North America's famous hauntings and this quality and thoroughness shows up in their finished product. Although a few stories are rather dull and repetitive, as a whole "Haunted America" is entertaining reading for afficionados of folklore and horror alike.

This is one of the best collections of real life ghost stories that I have ever read. The haunting entitled, "Night of Horrors" sent chills down my spine!! If you like reading about real life ghost stories, then I highly suggest this book. There are also 2 more books by the same authors. Just don't read these in the dark because when the lights go off....the rules change.....

This book was my first ghost book i had ever bought about oh 10-12 years ago or so. I have an insatiable hunger for ghost books and everything paranormal and its because of this book. well written, great research, great story-telling and facts all mold into one hell of a historic ghost book. possibly the best ghost book ever id say..

i think both books are very good to read because they give you some good insight about real place's that are said to be haunted.I think the reader will enjoy this one or both books because not only will they get caught up in the book but might want to go visit to the place they are reading about.I definitley recommend all of the books.I love all ghost books,they rock!!!!! they get a big 2 thumb's up from me!!!!!!!

I first read this book on a rainy, stormy night in a Washingtin hotel room and I found it delightful. The real thing for a winter night.