US shipping Secure card payment Occult and esoteric books

Ghosts from the Coast

Roberts, Nancy
Reader rating
4.7
(1 reviews) 31 sold
In stock

Stock reported in the catalog; fulfillment is confirmed with your request.

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Whispers from the Atlantic's edge reveal spectral sailors and childhood echoes.

Nancy Roberts, a revered teller of tales, invites you on an ethereal journey through the historic coastlines of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. This captivating compilation features thirty-three spectral encounters and timeless legends, meticulously gathered firsthand. From the enduring specter haunting the Currituck Beach Lighthouse to the ghostly vessel making its poignant final voyage into Beaufort Harbor, and from a blue-coated Union soldier at Fort Sumter to mischievous child spirits in a Savannah B&B, Roberts unearths the thrilling, unseen currents beneath the South's most beloved destinations, blending history with the supernatural.

Key themes
Coastal Lore & Legends Historical Echoes & Specters Sense of Place & Identity
Historical context

This work sits firmly within the American Southern folklore tradition, specifically focusing on coastal hauntings and maritime legends of the Carolinas and Georgia. It serves as a modern compilation of regional spectral encounters, bridging historical sites with local ghost stories.

Difficulty
● Easy
Fans will love it
Laurie Lee's coastal memoirs · Dorothy Allison's Southern narratives · Stewart Holbrook's Pacific Northwest tales · Local history guides to the American South
🌿 Folk Magic
🏛 University of North Carolina Press 📅 2001 📖 184 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9780807849910
Fun fact
Nancy Roberts' 'Ghosts from the Coast' delivers exactly what it promises: a delightful tour of Southern spectral traditions. Her engaging narrative style makes these regional legends feel fresh and immediate, appealing to both seasoned ghost enthusiasts and newcomers to folklore. While it excels in vivid storytelling and historical flavor, those seeking deeply terrifying horror or academic analysis might be left wanting more. This book carves its niche as a charming, accessible entry into the rich tapestry of American ghost lore, particularly for fans of coastal history and local legends.

📝 Description: Ghosts from the Coast

Acclaimed storyteller Nancy Roberts takes the reader on a haunted tour of coastal North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia in this engaging new collection of thirty-three ghost stories and legends. In North Carolina, we hear of the restless spirit who troubles visitors to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the phantom ship that, though lost in a storm at sea, sailed into Beaufort Harbor for a final farewell. South Carolina provides the backdrop for tales such as that of the Union soldier killed at Charleston's Fort Sumter -- more than a century later, a tourist is startled to discover the eerie, blue-coated figure of the soldier standing next to him. And in Georgia, we encounter ghostly pirates doomed to sail the creeks and inlets of St. Simons Island forever without rest, as well as rambunctious child spirits who roll pool balls down the hallways of a Savannah bed and breakfast, just as they did when their family lived in the house following the Civil War. These new tales and classic legends, all collected firsthand by the author, reveal a thrilling undercurrent to some of the southern coast's most popular destinations.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Roberts delivers a charming anthology for fans of light paranormal reading and regional history. The strength lies in its accessibility and vivid portrayal of specific locales like Beaufort Harbor. However, it does not suit readers seeking rigorous academic analysis, heavy scholarly citations, or complex theological debates regarding the afterlife. Those expecting detailed investigative journalism or terrifying horror elements may find the tone too gentle and anecdotal. It is best viewed as a collection of oral history rather than forensic proof.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who cherish the atmospheric allure of the American Southeast will find profound joy in this collection. Those drawn to the intersection of deep local history and the supernatural will appreciate how Roberts anchors her spectral narratives to real, beloved destinations. It is perfect for travelers seeking a ghostly layer over their visits to places like Currituck Beach Lighthouse or Savannah B&Bs. The book offers a warm, inviting entry point into folk magic and regional legend without requiring academic rigor. If you enjoy the sense of mystery that lingers in historic coastlines or wish to understand the unseen currents beneath familiar Southern landscapes, this compilation provides an engaging, ethereal journey through thirty-three distinct encounters.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.8/5
★★★★
If you are captivated by regional folklore, the mysteries of the unseen, or the rich history of the American South, this collection is for you. Readers who enjoy well-told ghost stories with a strong sense of place will find themselves delightfully immersed in these coastal legends.

Reader rating

4.7
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
E
Esoterica Books editorial team

Roberts delivers a charming anthology for fans of light paranormal reading and regional history. The strength lies in its accessibility and vivid portrayal of specific locales like Beaufort Harbor. However, it does not suit readers seeking rigorous academic analysis, heavy scholarly citations, or complex theological debates regarding the afterlife. Those expecting detailed investigative journalism or terrifying horror elements may find the tone too gentle and anecdotal. It is best viewed as a collection of oral history rather than forensic proof.

❓ Frequently asked questions

The author meticulously collected these tales firsthand, drawing from local legends, eyewitness accounts, and historical records, blending fact and folklore into compelling narratives.
While the stories deal with ghosts and the supernatural, they are presented in an engaging, storytelling style rather than aiming for horror, making them generally suitable for a wide audience interested in folklore.

📖 Who should read this

If you are captivated by regional folklore, the mysteries of the unseen, or the rich history of the American South, this collection is for you. Readers who enjoy well-told ghost stories with a strong sense of place will find themselves delightfully immersed in these coastal legends.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Coastal Lore & Legends

This collection deeply explores the unique tapestry of folklore woven into the Southern coast. It highlights how the region's rich maritime history, from lighthouses to harbors, becomes fertile ground for tales of phantom ships, restless sailors, and spirits forever tied to the ebb and flow of the ocean. Readers will discover how the landscape itself inspires these enduring narratives.

Historical Echoes & Specters

The book vividly demonstrates how past events, particularly from the Civil War era and earlier pirate activities, leave indelible marks that manifest as spectral presences. It portrays ghosts not merely as frightening figures but as enduring echoes of history, offering glimpses into forgotten lives and unresolved tragedies, often tied to specific, historically significant locations like Fort Sumter or Savannah mansions.

Sense of Place & Identity

Roberts masterfully intertwines the supernatural with the distinct character of each coastal region. The spirits encountered are not generic, but intimately connected to their specific locales—a lighthouse, a battlefield, a grand old house. This creates a powerful sense that these stories are intrinsic to the identity and charm of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia's shorelines.

💬 Quotes from the book

“The chill that swept through the ancient lighthouse was not from the ocean breeze, but from a presence unseen, yet undeniably felt.”

“Even now, the phantom ship glides silently into Beaufort Harbor, a final, sorrowful farewell echoing across the moonlit waves.”

📜 Historical context

Nancy Roberts' work stands firmly within the venerable tradition of Southern regional ghost storytelling, a genre deeply rooted in oral tradition and often intertwined with historical events. These narratives serve not only as entertainment but also as cultural touchstones, preserving local history and collective memory through the lens of the supernatural, echoing earlier chroniclers of American spectral lore.

📚 Glossary

Phantom Ship
Restless Spirit
Folklore

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Consider a local landmark or historical site in your own area. What kind of spectral stories or legends might naturally arise from its history?
  2. How do the concepts of 'restless spirits' or 'historical echoes' resonate with your understanding of places that hold significant past events?
  3. Reflect on a time you felt a strong, unexplainable 'presence' in a specific location. How might a storyteller like Roberts transform that feeling into a narrative?

You might also like

See more →