On the Track of the Poltergeist [Paperback]

D. Scott Rogo (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 193366505X | ISBN-13: 978-1933665054 | Publication Date: December 15, 2005

There is no mystery greater than that posed by the poltergeist. The "noisy ghosts" of legend and folklore represent some of the most complex phenomena known to-but generally ignored by-science. Psychological research indicates that poltergeists focus on unhappy families who tend to repress and sublimate massive amounts of inner aggression and anger. This anger tends to build within the mind of one of the family members until it explodes outward in the form of the poltergeist. But is that the whole answer? On the Track of the Poltergeist is D. Scott Rogo's autobiographical account of his search to witness and document these rare phenomena. Backed by this experience and research, he is able to present a critical reevaluation of what we think we know about the poltergeist. Rogo also explains how to respond when confronted with a poltergeist outbreak and how to carry out field investigations of the phenomenon. D. Scott Rogo (1950-1990) was one of the most widely respected writer-journalists covering the field of parapsychology, as well as an active scientific investigator. Educated at the University of Cincinnati and San Fernando Valley State College, Rogo held a unique position in parapsychology and made many contributions to the field that deserve recognition. He served as a visiting researcher at the Psychical Research Foundation, then in Durham, North Carolina, and at the Division of Parapsychology and Psychophysics of the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. He published papers on ESP in referred parapsychological journals and was active in field investigations of hauntings and poltergeists. Rogo was also a leading authority on the history of psychical research; the breadth of his historical knowledge of the field was unsurpassed. Over the course of more than two-dozen published books, Rogo sought to broaden the range of topics worthy of paranormal research.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

D. Scott Rogo (1950-1990) was one of the most widely respected writer-journalists covering the field of parapsychology, as well as an active scientific investigator. Educated at the University of Cincinnati and San Fernando Valley State College, Rogo held a unique position in parapsychology and made many contributions to the field that deserve recognition. He served as a visiting researcher at the Psychical Research Foundation, then in Durham, North Carolina, and at the Division of Parapsychology and Psychophysics of the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. He published papers on ESP in refereed parapsychological journals and was active in field investigations of hauntings and poltergeists. Rogo was also a leading authority on the history of psychical research; the breadth of his historical knowledge of the field was unsurpassed. Over the course of more than two-dozen published books, Rogo sought to broaden the range of topics worthy of paranormal research.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Anomalist Books (December 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193366505X
• ISBN-13: 978-1933665054
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,833,556 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprised I'm the first review!, August 14, 2008

By 

Nick Carr - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On the Track of the Poltergeist (Paperback)

Very surprised I'm the first review! This book is actually a reprint of a 1986 book by parapsychologist Rogo by a low budget publisher (hence the lame cover art), and is definitely worth a read for anyone looking for a serious analysis of the subject matter.

I've been reading a number of books recently on the paranormal and supernatural for a project I'm working on, and I should clarify my interests. First, I'm only interested in well-researched cases, as opposed to historical folklore about, say, a house that's said to have been haunted for hundreds of years by a former owner. I'm also interested in a scientific bent to the writing, as opposed to the spiritual. Rather than starting from a top down approach (there are ghosts!) I prefer to work my way up (strange disturbances...what could they be?).

I'm surprised there aren't more reviews of Rogo's book. I would recommend it as a serious look by a parapsychologist working in the field about 20 years ago. It actually acts as a great companion to a book I coincidentally happened to read before, The Poltergeist by William G. Roll. Written in the 1970s, I would highly recommend tracking down a used copy of this out of print book, as Rogo learned from Roll, and you can get an excellent feeling of what changed in the 16 years between both books.

Both Roll and Rogo prescribe to the belief that poltergeist activity stems from repressed psychological energy manifesting itself in the physical world. In other words, you're not going to find any spooks or specters in the pages of their books, but it's a very refreshing change for those that immediately jump at the idea of an invisible spirit being the culprit behind unexplained occurrences. I certainly don't rule out the possibility, but it seems as great a leap as early man thinking the sun is some sort of god to be worshiped.

I would recommend picking up this book, especially if you're looking for a serious study of the subject matter. There are about 8 cases detailed, and you'll probably have opinions on the legitimacy of each (one of the disappointing things about these cases is that, because of the cost of video cameras at the time, they went very undocumented by anything other than words). But they'll all make you wonder.