David Hufford's work deals with the so-called Old Hag experience, a psychologically disturbing event in which a victim claims to have encountered some form of malign entity while dreaming (or awake). Sufferers report feeling suffocated, held down by some "force," paralyzed, and extremely afraid.
The experience is surprisingly common: the author estimates that approximately 15 percent of people undergo this event at some point in their lives. Various cultures have their own name for the phenomenon and have constructed their own mythology around it; the supernatural tenor of many Old Hag stories is unavoidable. Hufford, as a folklorist, is well-placed to investigate this puzzling occurrence.
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"A provocative exploratory work."—Los Angeles Times
"A brilliant and exciting look at a misunderstood phenomenon."—Western Folklore
"Fascinating, original, and convincing, The Terror That Comes in the Night is one of the most significant books on the paranormal. . . . A classic."—Fate
"Anyone interested in folklore or dream research or bizarre and unexplained phenomena, which are here examined carefully and rationally, will enjoy this volume."—American Rationalist
From the Publisher
David Hufford's academic work, subtitled An Experience Centered Study of Supernatural Assault Traditions, deals with the so-called 'Old Hag' experience, a psychologically disturbing event in which a victim claims to have encountered some form of malign entity whilst dreaming (or awake). Sufferers report feeling suffocated, held down by some 'force', paralyzed-and extremely afraid. It is an experience which is surprisingly common, with Hufford estimating that approximately 15% of people undergo it at some point in their lives. Various cultures have their own name for the phenomenon, and have constructed their own mythology around it; the supernatural tenor of many Old Hag stories is unavoidable. Hufford, as a folklorist, is well-placed to investigate this puzzling occurrence.
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58 of 60 people found the following review helpful
If you have ever awoke to the sudden realization that you cannot move, and this experience has been accompanied by a convincing feeling that there is something with a sinister intention there with you in the room, or if you have felt, heard, or even seen something strange and haunting during this state of immobility, then this book is for you my unfortunate friend! I have suffered from sleep paralysis most my life, and this is the only book I have ever found that explores the subject. A very interesting read! Although I do not agree with some of the conclusions that the author suggests, it is nevertheless a well researched and informative book. By the way, if you do suffer from sleep paralysis or the "old hag" as Hufford calls it, it is completely harmless based upon my own experience, other than it can scare the bejeebers out of you. If you do suffer from the above mentioned symptoms, there are several BB's on the web where you can talk with others that suffer from SP, and don't get too worked up over it, it happens to a lot of us as this book skilfully demonstrates.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Well, if the title 'The Terror That Comes in the Night' doesn't immediately spark your interest how about that secondary subtitle, 'An Experience-Centered Study of Supernatural Assault Traditions.' Doesn't it sound like a book you'd like to have resting on your lap while riding the subway, or sitting in a busy doctor's office. I just love those weird looks people give you when they see what you're reading.
Being one of those people who have a long history of suffering from "Night Terrors" I had a personal interest in purchasing this book. I wanted to compare my own nightmarish encounters with what others had endured during those long and dreadful hours preceding dawn. For me it was a cathartic and affirming endeavor. Therapy you might say.
Since my primary attraction to this book was the first-hand accounts provided by the participants in this study, not the research or conclusions drawn by Mr. Hufford, it turned out to be a worthwhile read for me. However if you're looking for some world shattering conclusions or monumental breakthroughs you'll probably be disappointed.
An overall intriquing read for those fascinated by nightmares and the realm of dreams.
Being one of those people who have a long history of suffering from "Night Terrors" I had a personal interest in purchasing this book. I wanted to compare my own nightmarish encounters with what others had endured during those long and dreadful hours preceding dawn. For me it was a cathartic and affirming endeavor. Therapy you might say.
Since my primary attraction to this book was the first-hand accounts provided by the participants in this study, not the research or conclusions drawn by Mr. Hufford, it turned out to be a worthwhile read for me. However if you're looking for some world shattering conclusions or monumental breakthroughs you'll probably be disappointed.
An overall intriquing read for those fascinated by nightmares and the realm of dreams.
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By M. Packo
Amazon Verified Purchase
I applaud Professor Hufford for this ground-breaking analysis
of Night Hag (Phantomania) attacks. Nothing else quite like
it since its original publication over 20 years ago.
Though it begins, and occasionally bogs down, in typically tiresome academic prose, Hufford has the courage to allow the facts to speak for themselves - with the benefit of his methodical and objective reasoning. This eventually delivers his subject from the tediousness of too much jargon and equivocating.
And though he (wisely) resists arriving at any certain conclusions,his courage to at least acknowledge most of the possible correlatives associated with pavor nocturnus is to his credit.
of Night Hag (Phantomania) attacks. Nothing else quite like
it since its original publication over 20 years ago.
Though it begins, and occasionally bogs down, in typically tiresome academic prose, Hufford has the courage to allow the facts to speak for themselves - with the benefit of his methodical and objective reasoning. This eventually delivers his subject from the tediousness of too much jargon and equivocating.
And though he (wisely) resists arriving at any certain conclusions,his courage to at least acknowledge most of the possible correlatives associated with pavor nocturnus is to his credit.
Most of the eyewitness accounts (which, I think, could have been
improved by some editting), actually make for some scary and unnerving late night reading. If you have read Grave's End,
you will know what I mean - only multiple, and more believable, examples of the same sort of experience.
I only wish that the Professor had more thoroughly described the different stages of sleep, including brain wave Hz rates, length and periodicity of cycles and degress of REM activity.
It seems to me that an all inclusive scientific study of nightmares should result in some truly surprising insights into the nature of consiousness itself.
Likewise, Professor Hufford is way overdue for an update considering the limited sources his research was conducted
from and based upon.
In that regard, allow me to recommend to whomever might be
interested in pursuing an understanding of the Night Hag:
Carlos Castaneda's The Active Side of Infinity, particularly
the chapters on Inorganic Awareness and Mud Shadows.
Skeptical? Just take a look, you'll see what I mean.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Dry and academic, but interesting case studies and ideas
This was written by an academic with no attempt to make it fun or easy to read by regular people. In other words, it's dry, a bit boring, and there are many incomprehensible and/or... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Baron Von Cool
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent
an excellent exposition of the folklore and phenomenology of this unique and disturbing experience. i, too, have experienced the teror by night, and until i read this book i never... Read more
Published on November 16, 2010 by evilsgindsitributor
3.0 out of 5 stars
condition of book
Although the book said it was close to being new, when I received it there were many highlighted passages and earmarked pages. It was not close to being new. Read more
Published on August 25, 2010 by ali
5.0 out of 5 stars
A thorough investigation of a fascinating phenomenon
There are reports from people around the world that they have wakened in the night with a sense of terror, unable to move, and aware of the presence of a frightening old hag. Read more
Published on January 6, 2005 by Daniel J. Benor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Eye-opening Study
David Hufford looks at a phenomenon called "The Old Hag" in this remarkable study of folklore. Read more
Published on June 28, 2004 by grasshopper4
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 49
books:
See all 49 books this book cites
10
books
cite this book:
See all 10 books citing this book
- On the Nightmare by Ernest Jones on 8 pages
- Nightmares and Human Conflict by John E. Mack on 5 pages
- The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud on page 65, page 127, and Back Matter
- Dreams and Nightmares (Pelican) by J.A. Hadfield on page 130, page 138, and Back Matter
- The American Heritage Dictionary: Fourth Edition (American Heritage Dictionary (Mass Market Paper)) by Houghton Mifflin Company in Front Matter, page 54, and Back Matter
See all 49 books this book cites
- American Folklore Studies: An Intellectual History by Simon J. Bronner in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Legend and Belief: Dialectics of a Folklore Genre by Linda Dégh in Back Matter
- The Psychic Vampire Codex: A Manual of Magick and Energy Work by Michelle A Belanger in Back Matter
- Remembering Satan: A Tragic Case of Recovered Memory by Lawrence Wright in Back Matter
- Mormons and Mormonism: An Introduction to an American World Religion by Eric A. Eliason in Front Matter
See all 10 books citing this book
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