
Paranormal Britain
Belief in the Uncanny in England, Scotland, and Wales
Bloomsbury Academic (Publisher)
Published on 30. April 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
248 pages
978-1-350-56164-9 (ISBN)
Description
Paranormal Britain is the most systematic study available of the nature and scope of paranormal beliefs, experiences, and subcultures in contemporary Britain. Using original survey data from British citizens regarding their beliefs and experiences with UFOs, ghosts, psychics and other paranormal phenomena, this open access book details the prevalence and patterns of paranormalism in the U.K.
In addition to presenting original findings based on novel data, the authors also engaged in extensive ethnographic fieldwork with different paranormal subcultures. Among other adventures, readers get to ride along as they spend the night with the 'most violent poltergeist in history,' participate in the high ritual of a UFO cult, search for Nessie and werewolves, visit crop circles, learn to read Tarot, talk with alien abductees, and go on shamanic vision quests.
Authoritative and systematic, yet readable and entertaining, Paranormal Britain will be of interest to scholars researching the sociology of religion, science, and belief in late modernity.
The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by Chapman University.
In addition to presenting original findings based on novel data, the authors also engaged in extensive ethnographic fieldwork with different paranormal subcultures. Among other adventures, readers get to ride along as they spend the night with the 'most violent poltergeist in history,' participate in the high ritual of a UFO cult, search for Nessie and werewolves, visit crop circles, learn to read Tarot, talk with alien abductees, and go on shamanic vision quests.
Authoritative and systematic, yet readable and entertaining, Paranormal Britain will be of interest to scholars researching the sociology of religion, science, and belief in late modernity.
The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by Chapman University.
Reviews / Votes
Far from being a "normal island", Clark, Bader and Baker's excellent and entertaining new book demonstrates the ways in which modern Britain is a paranormal island. * Jamie Lewis, Cardiff University, UK * This important and timely book can help us understand why paranormal beliefs are so popular in Britain today. The authors combine results from their new belief survey CASPAR with original fieldwork to reveal the complex and fascinating relationship between paranormal beliefs and organised religious belief in Britain. You don't have to be a believer or a sceptic: Paranormal Britain is packed with facts and discoveries that will both amaze and entertain you. * David Clarke, The National Folklore Survey for England, and Sheffield Hallam University, UK * While it is a common assumption that British society is becoming increasingly secular, the evidence suggests otherwise. This fascinating, provocative, and enjoyable study of the social significance of the paranormal provides a compelling argument for the scholarly analysis of this important area of modern Western culture. * Christopher Partridge, University of Lancaster, UK * For some people ghosts, monsters, and aliens are not just creations of Hollywood entertainment. This book explains in accessible, even gripping prose who these people are, how prevalent paranormal belief is in Britain, and why people hold such beliefs in our supposedly scientific age. A brilliant sociological intervention. * Titus Hjelm, University of Helsinki, Finland * This is a hugely informative study of paranormal cultures in modern Britain. Based on a fascinating new national survey and boots on the ground field work, insights abound regarding belief in UFOs, ghost tourism, hauntings, crop circles, and much more. Written with a light touch, it is also a highly enjoyable read. * Owen Davies, University of Hertfordshire, UK *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
45 bw illus
Dimensions
Height: 233 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
390 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-56164-9 (9781350561649)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Christopher D. Bader is Professor, Department of Sociology & Anthropology, Chapman University, USA.
Tom Clark is Lecturer in Research Methods, Department of Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield, UK.
Joseph O. Baker is Professor, Department of Sociology & Anthropology, East Tennessee State University, USA.
Tom Clark is Lecturer in Research Methods, Department of Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield, UK.
Joseph O. Baker is Professor, Department of Sociology & Anthropology, East Tennessee State University, USA.
Author
University of Sheffield, UK
Chapman University, USA
East Tennessee State University, USA
Content
Acknowledgements
Introduction: I'm Nobody
Chapter 1: The Inner Light
Chapter 2: Into the Depths
Chapter 3: Most Haunted
Chapter 4: Mysterious World
Chapter 5: Around in Circles
Chapter 6: Mysterious Universe
Chapter 7: The Devil's Bargain
Conclusion: I'm Nobody, Pt II
Bibliography
Index
Introduction: I'm Nobody
Chapter 1: The Inner Light
Chapter 2: Into the Depths
Chapter 3: Most Haunted
Chapter 4: Mysterious World
Chapter 5: Around in Circles
Chapter 6: Mysterious Universe
Chapter 7: The Devil's Bargain
Conclusion: I'm Nobody, Pt II
Bibliography
Index