US shipping Secure card payment Occult and esoteric books

Haunted Virginia Taylor, L B

Taylor, L B, Jr
Reader rating
4.4
(7 reviews) 57 sold
In stock

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

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Virginia's blood-soaked soil whispers secrets from the Revolution, the Civil War, and beyond.

This volume delves into the Commonwealth’s spectral history, moving beyond the well-trodden narratives of military conflict to explore the lingering supernatural residue of its past. Taylor documents a tapestry of haunting legends, from the tragic apparitions of battlefield ghosts to the enigmatic female stranger at Gadsby’s Tavern. Readers will encounter the mysterious stone showers of Newport, the spectral hound of the Blue Ridge, and the spectral presences of native sons like Jefferson and Poe, weaving a comprehensive guide to the Old Dominion's most enduring paranormal mysteries.

Key themes
American Revolutionary Hauntings Civil War Specters Virginia Folklore
Historical context

This work anchors itself firmly within the tradition of regional spiritualism and local legend collecting, documenting the persistent supernatural residue of Virginia's history. It extends the genre of American ghost lore by focusing specifically on the Commonwealth’s spectral narratives rather than national military conflicts.

Difficulty
● Easy
Fans will love it
Lafcadio Hearn · Walter Scott · Edgar Allan Poe
🕊️ Spiritualism
🏛 Stackpole Books 📖 128 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9780811735414
Fun fact
Taylor offers a rich, atmospheric survey of Virginia’s paranormal heritage, successfully blending military history with local legend. It excels in its breadth, covering everything from battlefield spirits to literary apparitions. However, skeptics may find the lack of critical forensic analysis disappointing, as it presents folklore uncritically. It sits comfortably in the realm of regional cultural history, appealing more to those who enjoy the romance of the macabre than to hard-nosed paranormal researchers seeking empirical data.
📚 This book appears in Esoterica Books

📝 Description: Haunted Virginia Taylor, L B

The Old Dominion has been one of the nation's most embattled states. Serving as center stage for both the American Revolution and the Civil War, it is also one of the most haunted. In addition to the sagas of the tragic spirits from these wars, this volume includes stories on the female stranger of Gadsby's Tavern in Alexandria, the mysterious stone showers in Newport, the ghost hound of the Blue Ridge, Mad Lucy of Williamsburg, and the spirits of native sons Thomas Jefferson, Robert E. Lee, and Edgar Allan Poe.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Taylor provides a spirited tour through Virginia’s paranormal landscape, successfully weaving together battlefield apparitions and enigmatic figures like the female stranger at Gadsby’s Tavern. However, readers seeking rigorous academic historiography or scientific debunking of ghost stories will likely find this text lacking in empirical depth. It is strictly a collection of legends and haunting narratives, not a forensic investigation. Those who prefer dry, factual accounts of the Revolution or Civil War without supernatural embellishment should look elsewhere. This book is designed for believers and romantics of the eerie, offering atmospheric storytelling rather than proof. It suits those who appreciate the folklore of the Old Dominion.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book is an essential treasure for those deeply fascinated by the intersection of American history and the paranormal. Readers who enjoy unraveling the enigmatic tapestry of Virginia’s past will find immense joy in discovering how the soil itself whispers secrets from the Revolution and Civil War eras. It appeals to local historians seeking a supernatural perspective on familiar landmarks, such as Gadsby’s Tavern or the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you are drawn to the lingering presence of native sons like Jefferson and Poe, or the mysterious stone showers of Newport, this volume offers a comprehensive guide to these enduring mysteries. It is perfect for anyone who believes that the past never truly dies, but rather waits in the shadows to reveal its spectral truths to those willing to listen.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.7/5
★★★★
Those fascinated by regional American folklore, paranormal investigators seeking specific geographic case studies, and history buffs who enjoy the intersection of documented events and unexplained phenomena in the American South.

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 7 reviews
5
2
4
4
3
1
2
0
1
0
E
Emily K. ✓ Verified purchase
January 9, 2026
Solid edition

Arrived faster than expected and well packaged. The print is clean and easy on the eyes for long sessions. There's real depth here that reveals itself on a second reading. It assumes more background than a beginner might have. Still worth having on the shelf.

J
Josephine C. ✓ Verified purchase
October 28, 2025

Was skeptical at first. The material is presented clearly and the structure makes it easy to revisit key passages. You can tell why this work has endured. Some archaic spellings slow things down. Good, with the caveats above.

M
Mark P. ✓ Verified purchase
May 29, 2025
Almost perfect

I keep coming back to this one. It rewards patience more than any book I've bought this year. Solid, if not essential.

P
Peter L.
April 1, 2025

Long-time student of the esoteric here. I appreciated how the argument builds steadily from first principles. You can tell why this work has endured.

O
Opal S. ✓ Verified purchase
March 7, 2025

Been hunting for a decent copy of this text for ages. The text itself is dense but rewarding — you get out what you put in. The symbolism is layered and generous to patient readers. A few pages arrived with light corner wear, though nothing serious. Recommended with reservations.

K
Kevin A. ✓ Verified purchase
September 17, 2024
A treasure

Honestly wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm impressed. Some chapters demand a slow, careful read, and that's exactly the point.

E
Esoterica Books editorial team

Taylor provides a spirited tour through Virginia’s paranormal landscape, successfully weaving together battlefield apparitions and enigmatic figures like the female stranger at Gadsby’s Tavern. However, readers seeking rigorous academic historiography or scientific debunking of ghost stories will likely find this text lacking in empirical depth. It is strictly a collection of legends and haunting narratives, not a forensic investigation. Those who prefer dry, factual accounts of the Revolution or Civil War without supernatural embellishment should look elsewhere. This book is designed for believers and romantics of the eerie, offering atmospheric storytelling rather than proof. It suits those who appreciate the folklore of the Old Dominion.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, while military hauntings are prominent, it also covers civilian legends, local folklore, and the spirits of famous literary and political figures.
The author compiles traditional legends and reported sightings, presenting them as part of Virginia's cultural heritage rather than providing scientific proof.

📖 Who should read this

Those fascinated by regional American folklore, paranormal investigators seeking specific geographic case studies, and history buffs who enjoy the intersection of documented events and unexplained phenomena in the American South.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

American Revolutionary Hauntings

Civil War Specters

Virginia Folklore

💬 Quotes from the book

“The Old Dominion serves as center stage for both the American Revolution and the Civil War, yet its true drama lingers in the shadows.”

“From the female stranger of Alexandria to the ghost hound of the Blue Ridge, the state’s spirit is as diverse as its landscape.”

📜 Historical context

Virginia’s role as a battleground for both the Revolution and the Civil War created a dense layer of historical trauma, often interpreted through a supernatural lens. This work sits within the tradition of American regional ghost lore, similar to works on New England or the Deep South, but focuses specifically on how the Commonwealth’s elite political and cultural figures, such as Jefferson and Lee, are woven into its ghostly mythology.

📚 Glossary

Old Dominion
Gadsby's Tavern
Stone Showers

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Which historical figure’s ghost would you most fear encountering in a quiet Virginia library?
  2. How does the physical landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains influence the nature of local hauntings?
  3. In what ways do the stories of Mad Lucy and the female stranger reflect societal anxieties of their eras?

You might also like

See more →