Our Ghost Ratings: = buy it! = worth reading = ho-hum

		The Complete Idiot's Guide to Ghosts and Hauntings, by Tom Ogden. New to ghost studies? This ghost hunting book has earned some horrible reviews for inaccurate details. However, I've yet to find a book that gives a more complete overview of ghost hunting. If you want a crash course in ghosts, this is a great place to start. Don't take it seriously. Don't rely on his location details. But, for a quick education in the various questions and conundrums of ghost hunting, this is a great book. or, click here to order in the UK
		Ghost Sightings (Strange but True Series), by Colin Wilson. This ghost book is a favorite. Don't let the corny/sensational cover fool you; this is one of the most informative and refreshing books for the serious investigator. Wilson's information about the relationship between water and poltergeists is worth the cover price alone. But, this book is out of print in the States. Find a copy and buy it, or ask your public library to locate it on inter-library loan. Wilson sneaks very important concepts into pages that are otherwise written for the popular audience. click here to order from the uk
		Haunted Places: The National Directory, by William Hauck. This is another indispensable book for ghost hunters. Although it includes UFOs hot spots and "supernatural" tales, if you're combing the major urban legends looking for potential research sites in the United States, this is the book to start with. Oh, double-check everything that Hauck lists. I've found more than one inaccurate listing. But, there is no more complete and general listing of ghostly locations in the US, in any book. Be sure to order the latest edition, too. or, click here to order this book in the UK
		The Haunting, VHS format movie, b&w, 1963, starring Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, and Russ Tamblyn. Yes, it's dated. Yes, it's in black & white. But, this remains one of the most authentic representations of what a true haunting can be like. Oh, you're not likely to experience that many kinds of manifestations in one location. Nevertheless, any and every element of the hauntings in this film can be experienced at a genuinely haunted site. Do not confuse this with the remake starring Liam Neeson; that one has a dazzling set with a nice acknowledgement of the original (same spiral staircase), but otherwise does not live up to the realism of this 1963 version. And, the original inspired many elements in the Disney theme park attraction, The Haunted Mansion. Watch this movie with the lights out, on a night when the floorboards are already creaking. It's a guaranteed good scare! Want to know more? Read our more complete review of The Haunting book and both DVD versions. Or, click here to order it in the UK, in PAL format.
		Do You Believe in Ghosts?, by John G. Sutton For pre-teens and younger teens who want a fact-based "good scare," this is a fun book. I enjoyed reading it, myself! Includes stories, helpful information, how-to for ghosthunters, a few photos, some quizzes, and more. Oh, it's not entirely accurate, in my opinion, but close enough to be a good introduction for children who are fascinated with the very real world of ghosts and ghosthunting. As with several books listed here, this book is out of print in the States but can be ordered from the UK. click here to order this book from the UK
		The Legend of Hell House, starring Roddy McDowell, Pamela Franklin, Clive Revill, and Gayle Hunnicutt. VHS & DVD formats, 1973. Another dated movie, and this one is less "real" than my favorite, The Haunting. (See above.) However, there are compelling elements in this film that accurately portray what goes on in a ghost investigation when a location is genuinely haunted. Ghost enthusiasts will want to own this movie. Everyone else can rent it from the video store to see what "ectoplasm" can look like. (My children advise me that it really is green, when I manifest it.) As in The Haunting, this movie accurately portrays what can happen to susceptible mediums in a profoundly haunted location. VHS format - DVD format - Or, click here to order a DVD in the UK, in PAL format
[no cover photo]		Haunted Happenings: With New Photos of Old Ghosts, by Robert Ellis Cahill Find some great stories of New England (USA) ghosts. If you're looking for urban legends as a starting point, or enjoy a good story, this book is better than the average. The author interviews people who've been around well-known ghosts, so you'll find plenty of helpful information in this book. (UK readers will need to order from Amazon.com as this is not available in the UK.)
		The Field Guide to Ghost and Other Apparitions, by Hilary Evans and Patrick Huyghe. This book is nicely organized with a page for each ghost, plus a sketch of the apparition. It's idea for a light read at night... if you want to fall asleep dreaming of spectres, that is! A clever set of categories helps you understand what kind of ghost it is, before you read the summary of the haunting. Because it covers international spirits, it could be a helpful source of urban legends to use as a starting point. However, this is mostly a light read for those who love "ghost stories." Suitable for most teens, as well. or, order it in the UK
		Ghost Encounters: Finding Phantoms and Understanding Them, by Cassandra Eason. (Available from Amazon.co.uk only) This is an interesting and sometimes challenging book that weaves alternative views of ghosts and paranormal encounters. If you're approaching ghosthunting from a Pagan or New Age viewpoint, I recommend this book for Eason's unusual concepts. click here to order from the uk