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True Haunting

Becker, Edwin F
Reader rating
4.4
(1 reviews) 103 sold
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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Witness the chilling, documented account of a house where the dead refused to depart.

This compelling narrative unveils the harrowing experience of a young couple who unknowingly purchased a property still fiercely claimed by its deceased former residents. Prior to the widespread understanding of 'paranormal' events, they confronted relentless spectral activity, turning their home into a crucible of fear. The book chronicles their desperate search for assistance, culminating in a pioneering, televised investigation by NBC, involving a renowned psychic and an exorcist. It offers an unsettling, authentic glimpse into a truly disruptive haunting, far removed from fictionalized horror.

Key themes
Documented Paranormal Activity The Desperate Search for Help Pre-Disclosure Realities
Historical context

This work emerges from the mid-to-late twentieth century era of early paranormal investigation, predating modern digital ghost hunting trends by focusing on foundational media exposure and traditional spiritual intervention.

Difficulty
● Easy
Fans will love it
Edwin F. Becker · The Amityville Horror · Paranormal Investigations · True Crime Memoirs
🕯️ Occult Philosophy
🏛 Authorhouse 📅 2011 📖 184 pages 📔 Hardcover 📐 Hardcover ISBN: 9781463408619
Fun fact
Becker's 'True Haunting' is a compelling entry into the non-fiction paranormal canon, distinguished by its early media documentation. It excels at conveying the raw terror and isolation of a genuine haunting, offering a stark contrast to fictionalized accounts. While it may disappoint those seeking sensationalized horror, it will resonate deeply with readers who appreciate meticulous, verified investigations into inexplicable phenomena. A foundational text for understanding the evolution of paranormal research and real-life spectral encounters.

📝 Description: True Haunting

This is the story of a true haunting. It was the first ever filmed and televised by NBC in 1971. A young couple purchases a building that was built and occupied by a single family that refused to relinquish their hold, even after death. Investigated and verified by experts, this residence brought chaos to the lives of those who chose to reside there. Unlike a horror novel, this chronicles what a real ghostly experience would resemble. Long before the laws of disclosure, a young couple winds up in the midst of strange occurrences prior to the term 'paranormal' becoming a common description. Searching for help at time when supernatural events were a taboo subject and being ignored by the Church, sent them into a desperate search for any assistance. Only a little known organization came to their aid. Author Tom Valentine, brought in a nationally known psychic, Joseph DeLouise, who then asked assistance of an exorcist from England, Reverend William Derl-Davis. Together, they gave their best effort at exorcising the multiple spirits inhabiting the building and disrupting the lives of the living. Events were filmed by NBC, who sent their most prominent Chicago journalist, Carole Simpson, to cover the event. Follow a young couple with a newborn as they attempt to cope with inexplicable events, experience denial, plead for help from their Church, and step into the world of the paranormal. Understand why ghosts cannot be exorcised and a true example of their strong sense of domain, even after death. Learn what experts and gifted people did in a failed attempt to assist this desperate couple. There is no happy ending, as the young couple suffers emotionally, are physically threatened, have their pets terrorized, and eventually suffer financially by actually "giving" their building away. What was intended as a financial answer to their prayers became, instead, a curse to be abolished. Learn many of the various manifestations that can be common in haunting. Ghosts can be seen and heard. They can propel objects and interrupt utilities. They can affect your moods and feed off of your emotions. They can appear as solid as you and me. They can react and become hostile if threatened or violated. Most important, as this young couple learned, they can harm you and cannot be removed. This is a firsthand accounting of what a true haunting is like. There are certain subtle occurrences you may find the most frightening, because you just might relate and recognize them. If so, guess what? You may have a ghost!

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
While 'True Haunting' offers a compelling look at early paranormal media coverage, it may not suit readers seeking complex literary prose or deep philosophical analysis. Those expecting scientific debunking or highly technical ghost hunting methodologies might find the narrative too anecdotal and emotionally driven. The book is best enjoyed by individuals who prioritize immersive storytelling and historical context over critical skepticism. Readers looking for fictionalized horror with elaborate plot twists will likely be disappointed by its straightforward, documentary-style approach. However, for those willing to engage with a raw, first-hand account of supernatural disruption, it remains a valuable, if somewhat dated, contribution to the genre.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers with a deep fascination for authentic, non-fictional paranormal encounters will find this account particularly gripping. It appeals to those who appreciate the historical evolution of ghost hunting, especially those interested in how media played a pivotal role in validating such claims during earlier decades. Fans of true horror stories that rely on documented events rather than fictional tropes will enjoy the raw, unfiltered narrative of a family’s desperate struggle against persistent spectral forces. The inclusion of a televised investigation adds a unique layer of historical significance, offering insight into how society perceived and investigated the supernatural before modern technology became ubiquitous. This book serves as both a chilling tale and a sociological artifact for enthusiasts of the occult genre.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5
★★★★
If you seek a chilling, authentic account of spectral encounters, far removed from fictional horror, this book is for you. Readers fascinated by early paranormal investigations and the human struggle against unseen forces will find this a compelling, unsettling read that challenges perceptions of…

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

While 'True Haunting' offers a compelling look at early paranormal media coverage, it may not suit readers seeking complex literary prose or deep philosophical analysis. Those expecting scientific debunking or highly technical ghost hunting methodologies might find the narrative too anecdotal and emotionally driven. The book is best enjoyed by individuals who prioritize immersive storytelling and historical context over critical skepticism. Readers looking for fictionalized horror with elaborate plot twists will likely be disappointed by its straightforward, documentary-style approach. However, for those willing to engage with a raw, first-hand account of supernatural disruption, it remains a valuable, if somewhat dated, contribution to the genre.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, the author meticulously presents this as a factual recounting of events, supported by the involvement of experts and contemporary media documentation, including NBC's filmed investigation, asserting its basis in real-life occurrences.
The book details a full spectrum of activity, from unsettling presences and inexplicable noises to significant physical disruptions, all attributed to the lingering spirits of previous occupants who adamantly refused to cede their home.

📖 Who should read this

If you seek a chilling, authentic account of spectral encounters, far removed from fictional horror, this book is for you. Readers fascinated by early paranormal investigations and the human struggle against unseen forces will find this a compelling, unsettling read that challenges perceptions of reality.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Documented Paranormal Activity

This account distinguishes itself through its unprecedented documentation. It details how professional investigators, including psychics and clergy, meticulously explored inexplicable events, culminating in a groundbreaking televised exposé. The book emphasizes the verifiable nature of the phenomena, offering a rare look at a haunting through the lens of early media scrutiny, setting a precedent for future investigations.

The Desperate Search for Help

Delve into the profound isolation experienced by those confronting the supernatural before mainstream acceptance. The narrative highlights the couple's arduous quest for assistance, navigating societal skepticism and institutional neglect. It underscores the challenges faced when seeking aid for phenomena deemed beyond conventional understanding, revealing the solace found in unexpected corners and the lengths people go to reclaim their peace.

Pre-Disclosure Realities

Explore the legal and social landscape surrounding property sales and inexplicable events in an era predating modern disclosure laws. This theme examines the vulnerability of homeowners who unwittingly purchased properties with pre-existing, non-material inhabitants. It contextualizes the couple's struggle within a time when supernatural disturbances were not yet a recognized or legally actionable concern, adding another layer to their predicament.

💬 Quotes from the book

“The oppressive chill was not of winter's making; it was a presence, watching, waiting, and profoundly unwelcoming to living souls.”

“To be dismissed by the very institutions meant to offer solace, forced us to confront the terrifying reality that we were utterly alone against the unseen.”

📜 Historical context

This work emerges from a pivotal moment in paranormal studies, predating the widespread popularization of the term 'paranormal.' It represents an early, groundbreaking effort to document and investigate spectral activity through emerging media—television—setting a precedent for future reality-based ghost programs and solidifying the public's fascination with verified supernatural occurrences.

📚 Glossary

Psychic Phenomena
Exorcism
Disclosure Laws

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How might your own perception of your home change if you discovered it was shared with unseen, uninvited entities?
  2. In an age before widespread paranormal understanding, how would you have sought help for inexplicable and terrifying occurrences?
  3. What ethical responsibilities do sellers have regarding a property's history, both tangible and intangible, especially concerning lingering presences?

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