-16%

Tar Heel Ghosts (Revised) — Spooky For Kids

📖 Have you read this book?

Your review can inspire others to read it

−16%

Tar Heel Ghosts (Revised)

Name: Tar Heel Ghosts (Revised)
Price: 20.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780807840696

✍️ Harden, John W, Sr

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$20.99 ~~$25.00~~ Save $4.01 (16%)

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This captivating collection delves into North Carolina's rich tapestry of ghost stories, presenting an "amazing assortment" of twenty-three full tales and ten shorter accounts. Beyond mere entertainment, it captures the very essence of the state's history and diverse landscapes, from mountainous haunts to coastal specters. Readers will encounter a wide array of supernatural phenomena, from gentle apparitions to boisterous poltergeists, all imbued with a distinct regional flavor. It's a journey through the historical and the uncanny, reflecting the unique character of the Tar Heel State.

Praise for this book

“Altogether, Harden's hants are a very entertaining collection, and . . . they make an excellent piece of Caroliniana.”

— Raleigh News & Observer

🏛 University of North Carolina Press 📅 1980 📖 192 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780807840696

Fun Fact

This revised edition masterfully compiles North Carolina's spectral heritage, offering an entertaining yet surprisingly insightful journey through its ghostly legends. While those seeking intensely terrifying narratives might find its tone more reflective and historically grounded, Harden's collection excels in its authentic regional flavor and diverse portrayal of the uncanny. It's a foundational text for anyone interested in American folklore, securing its place as an essential volume for understanding the state's enduring haunted legacy, appealing to both young and adult readers alike.

📝 Description: Tar Heel Ghosts (Revised)

An amazing assortment of twenty-three stories and ten "short shorts" comprise this popular selection. More than merely entertaining, Tar Heel Ghosts captures the "spirit" of North Carolina's past. North Carolina's ghost stories have infinite variety. There are mountainous ghosts and seafaring ghosts; colonial ghosts and modern ghosts; gentle ghosts and roistering ghosts; delicate lady ghosts and fishwife ghosts; home ghosts and ghosts that just want to be noticed. Mysterious signs and symbols appear -- small black crosses, galloping white horses, strangely moving lights, floating veils, lifelike apparitions, skulls, dripping blood, and "things that go bump in the night." At least one North Carolina ghost got himself into a court record, and other ghostly phenomena have attracted scientific investigation. These stories have a marked realistic North Carolina flavor. The reader finds mountain cabins and antebellum mansions, Indian trails, water wheels, river steamboats, railroad trains, slave labor on plantations, revenuers and stills in the mountains, a burial in St. James Churchyard in Wilmington, Winston-Salem before the days of Winston, Raleigh in the 1860s, Fayetteville during World War II, and even a new suburb haunted by old spooks.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

While this collection succeeds beautifully in capturing the essence of North Carolina’s diverse landscapes and historical tapestry, it is not for readers seeking literary sophistication or psychological horror. The prose prioritizes anecdotal charm over stylistic innovation, making it ideal for casual enthusiasts but potentially dull for those demanding rigorous academic analysis or high-concept supernatural fiction. It lacks the polished narrative arcs found in modern ghost story anthologies, instead offering a raw, unvarnished look at local legend. If you prefer tightly plotted mysteries or philosophical explorations of the afterlife, this straightforward compilation of spectral echoes may feel too simple and regionally specific for your tastes.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book is an essential treasure for anyone with a deep affection for the American South, particularly those who view local history through a mystical lens. Readers who enjoy immersive storytelling that blends factual regional background with supernatural intrigue will find immense satisfaction here. It appeals to travelers seeking the hidden soul of North Carolina’s mountains and coasts, as well as collectors of unique cultural artifacts. By presenting twenty-three full tales alongside ten shorter accounts, it offers a comprehensive yet accessible journey into the Tar Heel State's character. Whether you are a skeptic or a believer, the distinct regional flavor provides a compelling window into how communities remember their past through the voices of the restless dead.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you are drawn to authentic regional folklore, historical mysteries, or simply a well-told ghost story steeped in genuine local color, this collection offers a captivating journey. It's perfect for enthusiasts of the uncanny, state history buffs, and anyone seeking a deeper connection to North…

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

While this collection succeeds beautifully in capturing the essence of North Carolina’s diverse landscapes and historical tapestry, it is not for readers seeking literary sophistication or psychological horror. The prose prioritizes anecdotal charm over stylistic innovation, making it ideal for casual enthusiasts but potentially dull for those demanding rigorous academic analysis or high-concept supernatural fiction. It lacks the polished narrative arcs found in modern ghost story anthologies, instead offering a raw, unvarnished look at local legend. If you prefer tightly plotted mysteries or philosophical explorations of the afterlife, this straightforward compilation of spectral echoes may feel too simple and regionally specific for your tastes.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While some tales evoke a chilling atmosphere, many are more atmospheric, poignant, or curious, reflecting the diverse nature of North Carolina's spectral encounters. The focus is often on historical context and regional flavor rather than overt terror.

Categorized as "Juvenile Fiction," the stories are generally accessible and presented without overly graphic or disturbing content. They offer a fascinating and appropriate introduction to regional folklore for a broad audience, including younger readers interested in history and mysteries.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Regional Ghostlore

The book masterfully encapsulates the unique spirit of North Carolina, weaving its folklore into the fabric of the state's diverse geography. From the misty Blue Ridge Mountains to the windswept Outer Banks, each tale is deeply rooted in local settings like antebellum mansions, ancient Indian trails, and bustling river ports, offering a distinct sense of place and regional identity.

Paranormal Diversity

This collection showcases the astonishing variety of spectral encounters. Readers will meet a spectrum of entities—from delicate lady ghosts and boisterous spirits to those seeking mere attention. The narratives explore diverse phenomena: mysterious symbols, galloping phantom horses, strange lights, floating veils, and the classic "things that go bump in the night," illustrating the multifaceted nature of the uncanny.

Historical Resonance

More than just ghost stories, these accounts are deeply intertwined with North Carolina's history. They transport readers to pivotal moments and iconic locations, from colonial settlements and slave plantations to 19th-century Raleigh and Winston-Salem before its modern form. The tales offer a spectral lens through which to view the state's past, reflecting its social evolution and significant historical events.

📜 Historical context

North Carolina boasts a deeply layered supernatural tradition, a rich blend of indigenous myths, colonial legends, and narratives born from its complex social history. This revised collection stands as a cornerstone of American regional ghostlore, meticulously documenting spectral tales passed down through generations. It preserves the folkloric narratives that have shaped local identity and oral tradition for centuries, offering a window into the state's enduring connection to the unexplained.

📚 Glossary

Apparition
Folklore
Antebellum

📔 Questions to reflect on

Consider a local legend or ghost story from your own region. How does it reflect the history, unique character, or social fabric of that particular place?
If you were to encounter a ghost, would you prefer it to be a "gentle" presence or a "roistering" one? What questions might you ask it about its earthly existence?
How do stories of the unexplained, like those in this collection, help us connect with the past or understand the enduring human fascination with the unknown?