Customer Reviews

A History of Ghosts: The True Story of Séances, Mediums, Ghosts, and Ghostbusters

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Peter Aykroyd (father of actor Dan Aykroyd) has gotten together with writer Angela Narth to produce a very informative yet compact book of the Spiritualist movement that swept across during the Victoria era. Combined with personal stories of childhood memories of when Mr. Aykroyd would sit and watch seances in his family's home, the book takes you back to the precursor of our current paranormal boom, and methodically explains where such interest came from. Written from a skeptical viewpoint (but not close-minded) the book takes you on a historical journey through what appeared to be legit paranormal encounters and the people who claimed to produce these paranormal effects, to their exposure as scam artists and their demise. The book will leave you with a better understanding of the importance of applied logic and skepticism, as well as a better understanding that science cannot explain all claims of the paranormal... [...].

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I found Ackroyd's history of the spiritualist movement and its seances fairly interesting until I read his endnote attached to a statement about a seance in which Charlotte Bronte was heard, apparently by the author, pronouncing the name of Jane Austen. The endnote reads, "Author Jane Austen, who was Charlotte Bronte's dear friend on earth, seems to have remained a close friend in the next life." In fact, Austen died in 1817 and Bronte was born in 1816, not much time for a friendship to develop. Thereafter, I couldn't help but regard the author's "facts" with a degree of suspicion.

A great study and reference for research and enjoyment. A lot of work went into this most interesting and enjoyable book. It also explains the history of spiritualism, what mediumship is and the different types of mediums, plus much more.

Hoping this would be an engrossing spine tingler, I have to say that halfway through the book I became bored. It is mostly about 19th and early 20th century spirit medium hoaxers, i.e., ladies with "stuff" rolling out of their mouths and floating horns. Because that is all fakery one's attention span drifts after a while. Heard it once, you've heard it all...
Unfortunately, the author commingles the fake stuff with what may or may not be real, so there is nothing to get all excited about. You can't pry it apart.
It is interesting to learn, though, that Spiritualists actually consider their beliefs to be a religion. Now that's kind of scary...

Mr. Aykroyd did a decent job for a 90-year-old who is going blind. Probably a great job, from that angle. But, the book didn't pull together. Lacked much cohesion. It was really a tribute to his ancestor who was a spiritualist plus a trail of stories about spiritiualism and mediums. Readable, but lacking. Still I salute Peter for his work and attempt.

PETER AYKROYD'S BOOK MAKES FOR VERY INTERESTING READING INTO THE WORLD OF THE UNSEEN: GHOSTS, PHANTOMS, SPIRITS, TRANCE MEDIUMS, SEANCES AND OTHER ASSORTED THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT. WITH THE ORIGINAL GHOST HUNTER AND PARANORMAL AUTHOR HANS HOLZER HAVING PASSED INTO THE WORLD OF SPIRIT IN APRIL OF 2009, IT IS GOOD TO KNOW THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE CONTINUING HIS LEGACY OF WRITING ABOUT THE INVISIBLE HORIZONS ABOUT US.

A total delight to read for me it goes much deeper personal accounts and experiences that the book totally brings together captivating me in memories thoughts wonderment and possiblities. Totally recommend reading and buying.

Heard about this book on Coast to Coast and thought I'd give it a try. I was very pleased with the subject matter and the way it was written. Easy to follow.

Great Book given along with a bottle of Crystal Head Vodka! Dan Akroid spurred our imagination and desire to own both products!

I have just started reading this fantastic book and am loving it.
I understand now how Dan Aykroyd was able to imagine all the
characters for his "Ghostbusters" movie. Very interesting book, he
comes from a very intelligent and open minded family.