This House is Haunted: The True Story of the Enfield Poltergeist by Playfair, Guy Lyon

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Spiritualism

This House is Haunted: The True Story of the Enfield Poltergeist

Name: This House is Haunted: The True Story of the Enfield Poltergeist
Price: 20.00 USD
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Rating: 4.6 (2 reviews)
Author: Playfair, Guy Lyon
ISBN: 9781907661785

Playfair, Guy Lyon

Reader rating

4.6

(1 reviews) 79 sold

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Witness the chilling true story of the Enfield Poltergeist and its terrifying reign.

In 1977, a quiet North London council house became the epicenter of bewildering terror for the Harper family. This gripping account, penned by investigator Guy Lyon Playfair, meticulously details the inexplicable events that began with subtle knockings and shifting furniture, rapidly escalating into full-blown poltergeist activity. Dozens witnessed shocking phenomena: objects flying, beds levitating, and a young girl speaking in an elderly man's voice. Playfair, from the Society for Psychical Research, documented much of this activity on tape and film, presenting a compelling, first-hand record of one of history's most controversial and terrifying supernatural hauntings.

Key themes

The Nature of Poltergeists Investigating the Unseen Family Under Siege

Historical context

This work anchors the modern resurgence of interest in psychical research within the late 20th century, bridging traditional spiritualism with contemporary investigative journalism. It stands as a seminal text in the genre of documented paranormal phenomena, reflecting the era's fascination with validating supernatural claims through empirical evidence.

Difficulty

● Easy

Fans will love it

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · Raymond Moody · Erich von Däniken

🕊️ Spiritualism

🏛 White Crow Books 📅 2011 📖 296 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781907661785

Fun fact

Playfair’s "This House is Haunted" remains a foundational text for anyone serious about paranormal investigation. Its meticulous recounting of the Enfield Poltergeist offers compelling, first-hand evidence that few other cases can match. While skeptics may remain unconvinced, those seeking a deeply researched, terrifying true haunting will find it indispensable. This is not a sensationalized account, but a sober, detailed report that stands as a testament to the enduring mystery of the unexplained.

📝 Description: This House is Haunted: The True Story of the Enfield Poltergeist

This is the Amazing Story of the Enfield Poltergeist On August 31st 1977, normal life ended for Mrs Harper and her four children in their modest council house in a hitherto quiet corner of the north London suburb of Enfield. Compared to what was to come, the initial phenomena were relatively minor - knockings on the walls, and pieces of furniture moving in ways that did not seem normal. The neighbours came in and searched the house, finding all in order, though they too heard the knocking. The police were called, and were able to witness a chair sliding along the floor. The disturbances went on, getting more intense and more frightening. They were eventually witnessed by at least thirty people. They included examples of everything a poltergeist can do - overturning chairs and tables, flinging things about, whipping off bedclothes, levitating one of the girls in full view of passers-by, making her speak with the voice of an old man and defying the laws of physics by passing matter through solid matter. Much of this bewildering and often terrifying activity was captured on tape and film by Maurice Grosse of the Society for Psychical Research and his colleague Guy Lyon Playfair, who were on the case within days of its outbreak stayed on it until it finally came to an end, with a twist as unexpected and surprising as in any detective story. No other case of its kind has been so well witnessed from start to finish or so thoroughly documented. Incidents are described as they happened, without embellishment, from some six hundred pages of transcripts of live tape recordings. The story of the Enfield poltergeist is already regarded as a classic in the annals of psychical research. It has been the subject of worldwide press coverage and several radio and television documentaries.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

This account serves as a crucial primary source for enthusiasts of the paranormal, offering a detailed chronology of events that defy natural explanation. However, readers seeking traditional ghost stories with atmospheric prose or fictionalized drama will likely find this dry and repetitive. It is not suited for those who prefer definitive debunking or those easily unsettled by reports of physical violence without resolution. The text demands patience for its clinical tone, rewarding only those interested in the mechanics of psychical investigation rather than emotional storytelling.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers deeply fascinated by the intersection of genuine spiritualism and rigorous scientific inquiry will find this book essential. It offers a rare, unvarnished look at how one investigator approached the most controversial hauntings of his time with both skepticism and open-mindedness. Those who enjoy true crime narratives but crave a supernatural twist will appreciate the meticulous documentation provided. It is ideal for skeptics willing to be challenged by evidence that defies easy explanation. The narrative does not rely on cheap scares but rather on the bewildering reality faced by the Harper family, making it a compelling study of human endurance amidst inexplicable terror.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're captivated by real-life ghost stories, seek compelling evidence of the supernatural, or wish to explore one of the most thoroughly documented poltergeist cases ever, this book is essential. Prepare to question everything you thought you knew about the boundaries of reality.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

This account serves as a crucial primary source for enthusiasts of the paranormal, offering a detailed chronology of events that defy natural explanation. However, readers seeking traditional ghost stories with atmospheric prose or fictionalized drama will likely find this dry and repetitive. It is not suited for those who prefer definitive debunking or those easily unsettled by reports of physical violence without resolution. The text demands patience for its clinical tone, rewarding only those interested in the mechanics of psychical investigation rather than emotional storytelling.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While opinions remain divided, the book presents extensive documentation, including police reports, witness accounts from dozens of individuals, and the author's own first-hand observations, making it one of the most heavily scrutinized cases in paranormal history.

Readers will encounter a wide spectrum of poltergeist activity: furniture moving spontaneously, objects being thrown, mysterious knocks, levitations, disembodied voices, and even a child speaking in a deep, elderly male voice.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

The Nature of Poltergeists

This book provides an unparalleled catalog of poltergeist manifestations, from the classic raps and thrown objects to levitations and vocalizations through a human host. It explores the sheer breadth of phenomena attributed to these disruptive entities, pushing the boundaries of what is considered physically possible and offering a deep dive into their unpredictable, often terrifying, behavior.

Investigating the Unseen

Playfair's narrative offers an inside look at the meticulous, often frustrating, process of investigating supernatural claims. It details the challenges of documenting fleeting phenomena, interviewing witnesses, and attempting to apply scientific rigor to events that defy conventional explanation. The book highlights the dedication required to pursue truth in the face of skepticism and overwhelming mystery.

Family Under Siege

At its heart, this is a deeply human story about a family thrust into an unimaginable nightmare. The book portrays the psychological and emotional toll exacted by relentless supernatural assault, exploring themes of fear, resilience, and the desperate search for answers when one's home becomes a battleground against an invisible, malevolent force.

💬 Quotes from the book

“The armchair, heavy and solid, glided across the room as if on invisible casters, coming to rest precisely where it had been moments before, yet no one had touched it.”

“From the young girl's throat emerged a gruff, elderly male voice, distinct and clear, uttering phrases that chilled observers to the bone – a voice that simply could not have been hers.”

📜 Historical context

Published shortly after the events, Playfair's work became a cornerstone of modern paranormal literature, cementing its place among classic documented hauntings. It represents a pivotal moment in psychical research, moving beyond mere anecdote to integrate detailed observation, witness testimony, and early attempts at scientific recording. This book set a high standard for subsequent investigations into unexplained phenomena.

📚 Glossary

Poltergeist
Psychical Research
Enfield Poltergeist

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does the detailed documentation in this book challenge or reinforce your existing beliefs about the supernatural?
If you were a member of the Harper family, how do you imagine you would cope with such relentless, inexplicable disturbances in your own home?
Consider the role of the investigators in this case. What are the ethical and practical challenges of researching phenomena that defy scientific explanation?