Paranormal America (Second Edition): Ghost Encounters, UFO Sightings, Bigfoot Hunts, and Other Curiosities in Religion and Culture

As someone who reads a lot in this field, I can be picky. Some chapters demand a slow, careful read, and that's exactly the point. A few pages arrived with light corner wear, though nothing serious. Good, with the caveats above.

Was skeptical at first. A text you study rather than simply read. The historical context alone makes it worth the price. Some archaic spellings slow things down. Still worth having on the shelf.

Arrived faster than expected and well packaged. Some sections stopped me cold in the best way. One of my better finds this year.

Was skeptical at first. The historical context alone makes it worth the price. I'd have loved an index, but that's on the original text. Good, with the caveats above.

Not my usual area but wanted to branch out. Plenty of passages worth underlining; my copy is already full of margin notes. The ideas are old but land with surprising force today. My only regret is not ordering it sooner.

Ordered this after seeing it referenced in another book I was studying. I found myself reading passages aloud just to sit with them. It reads better in small doses — a chapter at a time with notes. One of my better finds this year.

Bader’s revised edition offers a compelling sociological dismantle of the fringe myth, proving paranormal belief is mainstream spirituality. While the ethnographic depth is impressive, readers seeking pure ghost stories or scientific debunking will find little satisfaction here. This is an academic exploration of culture, not a field guide to hauntings. Those preferring hard evidence over cultural analysis may feel alienated by the focus on human psychology rather than physical proof. However, for those willing to engage with serious inquiry into religion and identity, it provides invaluable insight into the American psyche's love affair with the mysterious.