A Natural History of Ghosts
500 Years of Hunting for Proof
Published on 3. October 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-0-14-104808-6 (ISBN)
Description
The fascinating true history of ghosts - how we see them and why we believe in them, from Roger Clarke
What explains spectral sightings? Why do we fear the supernatural? What proof is there? Growing up in a haunted house, Roger Clarke spent much of his childhood trying to see a ghost. From the terrifying true events behind Henry James's The Turn of the Screw to the frenzy of the Cock Lane poltergeist, he takes us on a journey of belief with ghosts of every kind.
What explains spectral sightings? Why do we fear the supernatural? What proof is there? Growing up in a haunted house, Roger Clarke spent much of his childhood trying to see a ghost. From the terrifying true events behind Henry James's The Turn of the Screw to the frenzy of the Cock Lane poltergeist, he takes us on a journey of belief with ghosts of every kind.
Reviews / Votes
Beautifully written ... lithe, complicated and hugely rewarding -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times * Simmering as it is with personal reflections, this handsome volume ... is bursting with a giddy passion, buoyed further by an expert's thirst for abstruse facts. The main pleasure of reading this book is Clarke's own enthusiasm, intelligence and seriousness ... a deeply interesting, revealing read * Book Hugger * Splendid ... compelling ... Clarke manages to give goose-flesh and a giggle while informing the reader - an enviable feat * Scotsman * A highly enjoyable (and disturbing work) ... I am in awe of [Clarke's] intrepidity * Guardian * Outstanding ... Clarke's dissection of the shocks, sadnesses and sexiness of the seance tables from the late Victorian era is brilliantly done ... The book is deeply enjoyable, hugely informative and at times distinctly unsettling * Shade Point * Britain has over 500-years' worth of ghost stories in the cupboard and in The Natural History of Ghosts, Roger Clarke makes them dance ... the most original and readable book exploring our ghost-rich culture to appear for years ... fascinating * Fortean Times * Clarke's examination of the need people have to believe remains insightful and illuminating throughout * Observer * Roger Clarke explores the endlessly fascinating subject of the dead who won't lie down, the places they haunt, as well as the hysteria and panic they inspire. Why and how over 500 years their existence has never been scientifically proved - but at the same time, never disproved. Ghosts are masters of the elusive and ambiguous, but Clarke is a master investigator -- Fay Weldon * Daily Mail * An intriguing, shivers-down-the-spine book * The Lady * Lively and absorbing ... [Clarke] has proven himself an ideal guide to this troubled and disorderly realm * Literary Review *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Illustrations
20 integrated b/w
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 130 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
270 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-14-104808-6 (9780141048086)
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
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
11/2012
1st Edition
Penguin Books Ltd
€9.49
Available for download
Person
Raised in a haunted house, Roger Clarke is best known as a film-writer for the Independent newspaper and more recently Sight & Sound. He was the youngest person ever to join the Society for Psychical Research in the 1980s and was getting his ghost stories published by the The Pan & Fontana series of horror books aged only 15, when Roald Dahl asked his agent to take him on as a client. A published poet, his libretto for The Man with the Footsoles of Wind was performed at the Almeida Theatre in London in 1993. This is the book he always wanted to write.