Customer Reviews

Shadows of the Dark

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2 star:		(1)
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I first became interested in demonology when I saw Haunted In Connecticut on the Discovery channel a couple years ago. It had an interview with John Zaffis who I was not familiar with at that time. John, for those who don't know, is the nephew of paranormal investigator Ed Warren. He has also been on the Lou Gentile show several times. Since I saw Haunted In Connecticut I have read several books on hauntings and demonology. John's book focuses mostly on cases that involve the demonic. Most of the cases I had never heard about before. The book is well written and very fascinating. It serves as a lesson not to get involved with ouiji boards, satanism, witchcraft, seances or any other practices forbidden in the bible. They show great disrespect to God and can open doors that should not be opened. With countless testimonies by police officers, preachers, psychiatrists, and paranormal investigators, I am convinced that most of what I have read over the last two years is true. Other books I highly recommend are People Of The Lie (M. Scott Peck), The Demonologist (Ed & Lorraine Warren), An Exorcist Tells His Story (Gabriel Amorth), Beware The Night (Ralph Sarchie), Hostage To The Devil (Malachi Martin), and Demon Possession (C. Fred Dickason). God bless those who are genuinely trying to help people experiencing problems with the demonic. May they be in your prayers.

I just received my advanced order copy a few days, and find this book very informative as to what happens when people are tormented by the diabolical. As a paranormal researcher investigating spirits and hauntings, this would be on my list along with the Demonologist of recommending reading material.
Next to his Uncle and Aunt Ed & Lorraine Warren, John Zaffis is one of the most experinced in the field. This book will reveal the price one pays with the occult, and demonstrate what forms of spirituality these entities concede too.

This book is part text with lessons learned from each case being discussed. while we all may not agree in terms of our spiritual paths that we chose to follow, there is no question and no doubt that these entities have issues with God. For those that choose him through there free will they are set free as demonstrated. Not all the case stories have positive endings and that is a shame but a reality. The success of getting one freedom back is dependent on the person free will.

John does not get religous and sale anyone on spiritual beliefs in this book but the case studies and the results speak for themselves no doubt. I recommend this book to all researchers involved in spirits, those involved in spiritual warfare, and those who are clergy or studying to be clergy so one will have knowledge over what many are going through, how it happens,and what can be done about it.Researchers will learn the dangers they to may face and have knowledge about the power of these entities that we come face to face with as well. This is not a field to be ignorant in and Like John points out as well as his Uncle and Aunt pointed out to him, Once you cross that line your life is never the same again.

Glenn Baker
Jacksonville, Fl

Both my husband Larry and I have known John Zaffis and his uncle Ed Warren for many years. We have worked on many cases with John Zaffis and have found him to be very creditable and knowledgeable in this field of work. His empathy and desire to help a family in need go beyond that of the other paranormal researchers.

Shadow of the Dark brings to light the REAL problem of demonic possession and the problems associated with it and hopefully lessons that are learned from what the people had to endure in the cases.

This book also delves into the not so FUN side of paranormal research as it serves as a warning for the would be ghost hunters as to exactly what goes on in paranormal research and sometimes what you have to give up in order to help a family in need.

Both my husband and I are in the work, through our organization The Aware Foundation, recommend reading Shadows of the Dark hopefully through reading this many will become aware of the growing problem of demonic possession and the true need for creditable, honest, caring people, like John Zaffis, that will help someone that is trapped in the pit of possession.

Rev. Larry and Deborah Elward

www.angelfire.com/scifi/deliverances

John Zaffis is the real thing when it comes to supernatural investigations. His work with the Warrens and his experience brings about a very good book that is well worth reading if you are in to the supernatural. This is not fiction but true reality. From ivestigating spirits to exorcising demons, this man is incredible as he helps people to get their lives back in order. His book details some of the investigations he has encountered, ghosts, spirits, demons, how and why some of these hauntings came about and how they were dealt with. I found this book to be very well written by the author and I couldn't put it down until I was finished. If you like real hauntings and ghosts or have ever experienced "things that go bump in the night" you will love this book.

John Zaffis is the nephew of Ed Warren a renown demonologist who is now retired due to poor health. The book starts out explaining how his interest in the paranormal grew because of his uncle as a child and then leads into various cases.


The book gives us a small peak into cases, but really doesn't go very deep into them. The scientific and photographic evidence is also a bit lacking in this book. You get the feeling reading this book that he edited out many of the darker details of the cases, perhaps for the protection of his readers.


I like the fact that Zaffis calls himself a "Psychic Researcher." He states the term "Demonologist," is to easily used these days, and this is from an older man who has dedicated his entire life to this field. I agree. He also covers issues that season investigators learn from the school of "Hard Knocks." One such issue is the fact that before being contacted about a darker case he also has activity in his own home such as tapping, smells, and what-knot. This was something I learnt from trial and error.



If you are new to this field of study this is a great book, or if you simply have never had an experience with a non-human entity this is a good book to read.

Having read Malachi Martin's "Hostage to the Devil", Brittle/Warrens "The Demonologist" and "The Devil in Connecticut", Scott Peck's "Glimpses of the Devil", plus several books by Gabriel Amorth ("An Exorcist Tells His Story" and "An Exorcist: More Stories")[all good and highly recommended], I wondered what new information or viewpoint might be provided by this book on the issues of demonology, oppression, and possession. I was very pleasantly surprised- there are extremely honest personal insights, disappointments, and even some frank weariness that comes through in the writing that helped me better understand the sacrifices the authors and many others have to make to help both innocent and misguided people escape the demonic. I have no experience in this area (and have no desire for that to change), but if you or a family member are experiencing paranormal/demonic oppression, this would be an excellent book to read. The writing style is very clear, and the case reports are very well done, in my opinion. I guess I was naive, but it really surprised and sickened me when Mr. Zaffis cautioned in some detail that some "demonologists" have gone over to the dark side, and may show up pretending to help people with just the opposite intent in their hearts (the magnitude of the struggle suddenly seems more apparent). This realization alone is worth the price of the book. God bless the authors and everyone else who seek to free people suffering from the chains of the demonic, and God bless their families for the sacrifices they make as well. Not every author puts their contact information on the last page, just in case it's needed.

Johns book is a look at paranormal cases that you do not see in writing today about this subject. Johns book is an honest look at hauntings the causes and what really happens. Real hauntings are scarey enough you do not need to add anything. This is a well written book that at the end leaves you wanting more because the stories are that good. The book brings out the personality of John and you feel at the end that you know who he is and how hard he tries to help people. Also what the families go through before John and his team get involved.
I have given this book to some friends of mine and they loved it and cant wait for the next one. If you have someone that doesnt believe in the paranormal do them a favor and get them a copy of this book and they will be like the people that i gave it to. You will get a call saying thanks for having me sleep with the lights on last night.
Great Job John and Brian get the next one out soon I and the people that I have given this book too need another.
Scott Morrow Jenkintown Pa

BOOK REVIEW by Teddy Skyler
Director, Center for Paranormal Research and Investigaitons,





SHADOWS OF THE DARK

By John Zaffis and Brian McIntyre

Iuniverse, Inc 2004



SHADOW OF THE DARKNESS is the much-anticipated book written by John Zaffis and Brian McIntyer. The most unfortunate thing about this book is that you cannot yet buy it on the shelves of large, mainstream bookstores. As a researcher we spend time looking for paranormal activity. This book discusses the darker forces that we may come in contact with. After reading it, I think that it should be a staple for any paranormal researcher or ghost hunter, much like a gun safety course is essential to a game hunter. Ignorance is not bliss.



There are hundreds books on the subject of ghosts and hauntings. They tell us where to find ghost, how to photograph ghost, how to use ghost hunting equipment but, most leave out a very crucial topic. As ghost hunters we often put ourselves into situations where we are at risk for unwanted, unwelcome, and unsolicited negative energy. John and Brian explain how the powers of evil often work their way into people's lives with out them knowing it. Mr. Zaffis discusses the stages of possession and tells us ways we can recognize a non-human presence, even when it is surrounded by residual or classic human spirit hauntings. My favorite, and most personally relevant chapter is called The Banishment of an Oppressive Force. It deals with the experience of a paranormal researcher. It describes how she became oppressed and her battle with an unforeseen entity that plagued her life.



John Zaffis and Brian McIntyer share a sampling of their vast experience with the reader. John has participated in numerous exorcisms with a variety of clergy, catholic, native-American, Buddhist and other religions. This book is a retelling of the stories associated with some of the exorcisms minus the gross details and Hollywood hype you might find in books of fiction. Bear in mind that the stories and the pictures are real. I can't wait for the next one John. Get busy.



You can purchase the book on Johns website www.prsne.com or www.johnsaffis.com

I've had the privalege of working with Mr Zaffis on a few cases as well as taking part in several radio interviews(I am a member of DVDR and occasional Cohost of The Lou Gentile Show). I must say he is one of the most inteligent, down to earth and experienced investigators of the paranormal in the world. WIth this in mind I ordered his book and can say with out reservation its not a disappointment. Its a well written and inteligent look at some extremely remarkable cases of demonic attack. In a society that increasingly wants to pretend that any thing spiritual must be benign we need more books like this that remind people that evil is just as real.

I actually bought this through Barnes & Noble.com, this book is exceptionally great. John is one of very few who actually know what he is doing. It also helps that his aunt and uncle are Lorraine and the late Ed Warren. This book scared the hell out of me, and thats something thats hard to do. As a demonologist myself, I HIGHLY recommend this book and anythin Mr. Zaffis writes. He is accurate and sincere.