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Poltergeists

Gauld, Alan; , Cornell, A D
Reader rating
4.6
(1 reviews) 155 sold
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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unravel the chaotic mysteries of unseen forces that torment homes and minds.

Dive deep into the perplexing world of poltergeist activity with this seminal work, originally published in 1979. Gauld and Cornell meticulously compile and analyze hundreds of cases spanning centuries and continents, from violent disturbances to uncanny apparitions. Drawing from obscure historical records and translated accounts, the authors categorize these bewildering events, including alleged demonic interventions and post-mortem manifestations. This book offers a groundbreaking, data-driven approach to understanding the characteristics and potential origins of these elusive psychic phenomena, establishing itself as a cornerstone in paranormal studies.

Key themes
Global Historical Poltergeist Cases Categorizing Paranormal Manifestations Analytical Approach to Hauntings
Historical context

This seminal work anchors the mid-to-late twentieth-century resurgence of rigorous paranormal investigation, bridging historical occultism with modern data-driven research methodologies.

Difficulty
●●● Demanding
Fans will love it
G. N. M. Tyrrell · The Society for Psychical Research archives · Parapsychology Foundation publications · Historical case study compilations
🕯️ Occult Philosophy
🏛 White Crow Books 📅 2018 📖 428 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781786770394
Fun fact
Gauld and Cornell deliver an indispensable, academically rigorous exploration of poltergeist phenomena. Its strength lies in meticulous historical documentation and groundbreaking analytical approach, establishing it as a foundational text in parapsychology. Those seeking simple ghost stories or definitive spiritual explanations might be disappointed by its scientific methodology. Yet, for serious students and skeptics, it offers an unparalleled, data-rich journey into psychic disturbances.

📝 Description: Poltergeists

Poltergeists was first published in 1979 and rapidly established itself as a leading work on the topic. It has been frequently referred to as groundbreaking and a classic of the genre. Illustrative cases from all over the world are presented, dating from the sixteenth century to the late twentieth. Included are destructive cases, fantastical cases, poltergeist assaults, phenomena that are allegedly brought about by a witch or a demon, and others which appear to be the handiwork of a deceased human being. Most cases are sourced from contemporary notes or diaries, often little known or unknown but nevertheless fascinating, with many translated from non-English language sources. The book includes a computer analysis of the leading characteristics of hundreds of cases of poltergeists and hauntings, and offers tentative conclusions as to the natural 'clusters' into which the cases fall. Poltergeists is essential reading for anyone who is interested in parapsychology and the paranormal.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
This text is a rigorous, academic examination of poltergeist phenomena, prioritizing extensive data analysis over narrative thrill. It is strictly unsuitable for readers seeking entertaining ghost stories, casual supernatural fiction, or immediate spiritual guidance. Those looking for light reading or sensationalized accounts will likely find the dense categorization and historical depth tedious. However, for those willing to engage with obscure records and translated accounts, it offers a groundbreaking, albeit dry, perspective on violent disturbances and uncanny apparitions without compromising scholarly integrity.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Scholars, dedicated researchers, and serious students of the paranormal will find immense value in this meticulous compilation. It serves as an essential resource for those seeking to understand the chaotic nature of unseen forces through a structured, analytical lens rather than mere folklore. Readers who appreciate data-driven approaches to elusive psychic phenomena and historical records will gain profound insights into the characteristics and potential origins of poltergeist activity. It is ideal for anyone committed to establishing a cornerstone understanding of these perplexing events by examining hundreds of cases across centuries.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★
If you are drawn to the unexplained and seek a rigorous, analytical approach to psychic phenomena, this book is for you. It appeals to serious students of parapsychology, researchers, and anyone fascinated by the documented history of poltergeist activity, moving beyond sensationalism.

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

This text is a rigorous, academic examination of poltergeist phenomena, prioritizing extensive data analysis over narrative thrill. It is strictly unsuitable for readers seeking entertaining ghost stories, casual supernatural fiction, or immediate spiritual guidance. Those looking for light reading or sensationalized accounts will likely find the dense categorization and historical depth tedious. However, for those willing to engage with obscure records and translated accounts, it offers a groundbreaking, albeit dry, perspective on violent disturbances and uncanny apparitions without compromising scholarly integrity.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, while it presents numerous compelling case studies, the authors move beyond mere storytelling. They utilize a systematic classification and early computer analysis to identify patterns and draw tentative, evidence-based conclusions, making it a more scientific exploration.
While the authors analyze various theories and categorize phenomena, they offer tentative conclusions rather than definitive answers. Their focus is on presenting the data and identifying patterns, leaving room for further research and interpretation within the complex field of psychic phenomena.

📖 Who should read this

If you are drawn to the unexplained and seek a rigorous, analytical approach to psychic phenomena, this book is for you. It appeals to serious students of parapsychology, researchers, and anyone fascinated by the documented history of poltergeist activity, moving beyond sensationalism.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Global Historical Poltergeist Cases

This book offers an unprecedented collection of poltergeist incidents, meticulously documented from the 16th to the late 20th century. Sourced from often-overlooked contemporary diaries and non-English accounts, these diverse examples showcase the persistent and varied nature of these unexplained disturbances across different cultures and eras, providing rich primary evidence.

Categorizing Paranormal Manifestations

Beyond mere storytelling, the authors systematically classify poltergeist events. They examine distinct categories, from destructive physical assaults to cases attributed to witchcraft, demonic influence, or deceased individuals. This rigorous categorization helps identify patterns and potential underlying causes within the chaotic landscape of psychic phenomena, aiming for understanding.

Analytical Approach to Hauntings

Breaking from purely anecdotal accounts, Gauld and Cornell utilize early computer analysis to discern common characteristics among hundreds of cases. This innovative methodology allows them to propose "natural clusters" of phenomena, offering tentative, evidence-based conclusions about the nature of poltergeist activity, a pioneering step in parapsychology.

💬 Quotes from the book

“From the eerie disturbances of the seventeenth-century Drummer of Tedworth to the unsettling occurrences in modern American homes, the consistent thread of inexplicable physical phenomena demands rigorous investigation.”

“Our analysis revealed a significant clustering of cases where spontaneous psychokinesis appeared linked to individuals undergoing adolescent stress, suggesting a potential human-centric origin for many 'hauntings'.”

📜 Historical context

Emerging in 1979, Poltergeists immediately distinguished itself within the field of parapsychology. Moving beyond earlier sensationalized accounts, it established a new standard for empirical research into unexplained phenomena. Its systematic approach to case studies and early computational analysis positioned it as a foundational text, influencing subsequent generations of researchers.

📚 Glossary

Poltergeist
Parapsychology
Psychic Phenomena

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. After reading the various case studies, how do your personal beliefs about the paranormal challenge or align with the authors' analytical framework?
  2. Consider the role of historical documentation in understanding these phenomena. How might contemporary digital recording impact future studies of poltergeists?
  3. The book touches on potential human-centric origins for some phenomena. How might societal or psychological factors contribute to or manifest as poltergeist activity?

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