A History of Ghosts, Spirits and Other Supernatural Phenomena (DK A History of)

Discover the spine-chilling history of ghosts and the supernatural across the world in this illustrated guide. A History of Ghosts, Spirits and the Supernatural charts the extraordinary narrative of one of the most fascinating and controversial subjects in the world, covering everything from Neolithic ancestor worship and ancient necromancy to modern-day ghost-hunting and creepypasta tales and from the Japanese onryo to the La Llorona of Latin America. The perfect introduction to the subject, this spellbinding volume details the numerous ways in which spirits and the spirit world have been depicted in myth and religion, folklore, art, and literature. In this ghostly novel, you will find: Recounts of infamous tales of haunted houses and ghost ships, séances and mediumships, poltergeists, possessions, and demonic encounters. Feature profiles for other ghostly or undead beings, such as vampires and werewolves. The numerous reasons that ghost stories and tales of the uncanny are a common feature of cultures the world over. A serious but reader-friendly overview of a fascinating and controversial subject that explores the supernatural across the world and throughout history. The most holistic history of the subject available, A History of Ghosts, Spirits, and the Supernatural will shock and delight you in equal measure - whether you are a believer or a skeptic. Discover the spine-chilling history of ghosts and the supernatural throughout time and around the world in this stunningly illustrated guide. A History of Ghosts, Spirits, and Other Supernatural Phenomena explores stories from around the world, from the Japanese onryo ("vengeful spirit") to the Irish banshee, and the dybbuk of Jewish folklore to La Llorona ("the weeping woman") of Latin America.The perfect introduction to the subject, this fascinating volume charts the various ways in which spirits and the spirit world have been depicted in myth and religion, folklore, art, and literature, and recounts infamous real-life tales of haunted houses and ghost ships, sances and mediumship, poltergeists, possessions, and demonic encounters.Features profile other ghostly or "undead" beings such as succubi and incubi, vampires, and werewolves, as well as exploring the numerous reasons that ghost stories or tales of the uncanny have a place in cultures all over the world. Entries also explore scientific theories around ghosts and hauntings, such as stone-tape theory (the idea that spirits can leave a sound impression on audio tape) or Kirlian photography (images of electrical discharges at the point of death).The most comprehensive illustrated history of the subject available, A History of Ghosts, Spirits, and Other Supernatural Phenomena will shock and delight you in equal measurewhether you are a believer or a skeptic.