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The Book of Dreams and Ghosts — Dreams Astral

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The Book of Dreams and Ghosts

Name: The Book of Dreams and Ghosts
Price: 15.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781596054073

✍️ Lang, Andrew

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This seminal 1897 volume transcends mere Halloween spookiness by treating the ghost story as a serious anthropological artifact. Lang compiles meticulously documented cases from across history, examining phenomena like the deathbed apparition of Louis XIV and the wraith of the czarina. It stands as an early scientific inquiry into the occult, offering readers a collection of well-researched, eerie narratives that bridge folklore, mythology, and the unexplained, proving that the supernatural has always been a vital part of the human experience.

Lang, Andrew

📚 all books by this author (4) →

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Dreams & Astral

🏛 Cosimo Classics 📖 328 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781596054073

Fun Fact

Lang’s work excels in its scholarly detachment, offering a rare, evidence-based look at the supernatural that feels both antiquated and insightful. It will disappoint readers seeking quick, fictional thrills, as it demands patience for historical analysis. Situated firmly in the canon of early occult studies, it is indispensable for serious collectors of folklore and history of religion.

📚 This Book in Collections

🕯 Occultism 👻 Ghosts & Hauntings

📝 Description: The Book of Dreams and Ghosts

A bocan was not the only inhabitant of the spirit-world that Donald Ban encountered during his lifetime. A cousin of his mother was said to have been carried off by the fairies, and one night Donald saw him among them, dancing away with all his might. -from "Donald's Hymn" Not merely an assortment of spooky ghost stories suitable for a foggy Halloween night-though it is certainly that as well-this is a history of the ghost story told from the perspectives of mythology and anthropology. Written by one of the late 19th century's foremost experts on folklore and first published in 1897, this is an early scientific study of the occult that features some of the best-documented ghost stories from the history of humanity. The chilling case studies examine: . the deathbed of Louis XIV . the restraining hand . the wraith of the czarina . Sir George Villiers' ghost . the slaying of Sergeant Davies . the dream that knocked at the door . the lady in black . the dancing devil . and many, many more. Also available from Cosimo Classics: Lang's two-volume Myth, Ritual & Religion. Scottish journalist and author ANDREW LANG (1844-1912), the son of the sheriff-clerk of rural Selkirkshire, was educated at Edinburgh Academy, the Universities of St. Andrews and Glasgow, and Balliol College, Oxford. A contemporary and friend of Robert Louis Stevenson, he produced a stunning variety and number of volumes, including books of poetry, novels, children's books, histories, and biographies, as well as criticism, essays, scholarly works of anthropology, and translations of classical literature.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Andrew Lang’s volume stands out by treating the ghost story with anthropological rigor rather than dismissing it as mere superstition. The collection offers fascinating insights into phenomena like deathbed apparitions, grounding the eerie in historical context. However, this approach may not suit readers looking for pure fictional horror or sensationalist thrillers. Those expecting light entertainment might find the academic tone dry. It is best suited for serious students of folklore and history who enjoy analyzing the cultural significance of the supernatural. While some narratives are undeniably chilling, the primary appeal lies in its scholarly examination of belief systems rather than providing jump scares or complex fictional plots.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This anthology is ideal for readers who appreciate the intersection of history, anthropology, and the unexplained. It offers a unique perspective on the supernatural by presenting meticulously documented cases from across history, such as the apparitions surrounding Louis XIV and the czarina. Those interested in how folklore and mythology have always been vital parts of the human experience will find value in this collection. It appeals to those seeking well-researched, eerie narratives that transcend simple frights, providing a deeper understanding of why ghost stories persist as cultural artifacts. It is perfect for anyone wanting to explore the serious side of paranormal inquiry without sacrificing the chilling atmosphere of traditional ghost tales.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Readers fascinated by the intersection of psychology and the paranormal will find this essential. It suits scholars of folklore and those seeking authentic, historically grounded ghost stories rather than fictional horror.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Andrew Lang’s volume stands out by treating the ghost story with anthropological rigor rather than dismissing it as mere superstition. The collection offers fascinating insights into phenomena like deathbed apparitions, grounding the eerie in historical context. However, this approach may not suit readers looking for pure fictional horror or sensationalist thrillers. Those expecting light entertainment might find the academic tone dry. It is best suited for serious students of folklore and history who enjoy analyzing the cultural significance of the supernatural. While some narratives are undeniably chilling, the primary appeal lies in its scholarly examination of belief systems rather than providing jump scares or complex fictional plots.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No. Lang presents these as documented case studies and historical accounts, analyzing them through an anthropological lens rather than writing them as works of fiction.

It remains a foundational text for understanding how pre-modern societies interpreted the unknown, offering a rare glimpse into late-Victorian scientific approaches to the occult.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Anthropological Folklore

Historical Apparitions

Occult Documentation

📜 Historical context

Published in 1897, during the peak of the Spiritualist movement, this work reflects the era’s attempt to rationalize the supernatural through emerging fields like anthropology. Lang, a preeminent folklorist, positioned the text as a serious academic study rather than mere entertainment, influencing how subsequent generations approached the documentation of hauntings and myth.

📚 Glossary

Boacan
Anthropology
Mythology

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does the historical context of a ghost story influence its perceived truth?
In what ways do modern interpretations of hauntings differ from Lang’s anthropological approach?
What psychological needs might drive the persistence of spirit narratives across cultures?