Ghost Books

Ok, no one is going to believe me, but I actually worked late one night for an Oil Tools Company that had purchased one of the properties in one of the stories. And, as a Computer Programmer was working there late one night. At about 1:00am? I went into the bathroom and the janitor came in and walked behind me exiting through another door. I thought that was the way out to the kitchen where the coke machine was...Empty toilet room. I searched the entire building thinking we had an intruder. No one around...but all the lights were on. (read the story)

I asked the other engineers the next day, 'Say, you guys ever see anything funny here at night?'. The room went silent, then one engineer asked me what happened. I explained. Then another engineer asked me, 'Mike? Didn't you know that this is one of the most haunted places in Louisiana?'. They told me about this book, and I ordered it, and afterward corresponded with the author. I knew the address which is not mentioned in the book, so maybe she believed me.

I never believed in Ghosts till that night...and I never again stayed there after 9:00pm, when the 'real' janitors went home.

I give this book 5 stars, cause at least one story? I KNOW is true!

MNeese
Houston, Texas

The way that this book it written is kindof hard to follow. It is a good book, though. Some stories are a bit "tall." A good addition to your paranormal library if you collect ghost stories of Louisiana.

These are no ordinary fictional stories that Ms. Word has made up. Each is real as told to her by people she interviewed in getting ready to write the book. Having been lucky enough to not only grow up in southern Louisiana but to have had the chance to see and visit some of the places she spoke of as well I know the stories to be true. It's worth your time to read this book. If you're a skeptic you won't be anymore by the time you're done with it.

Allright. Ghosts right? Not me, no way. There is no reason why any of us should belive in ghosts right? Wrong. In this book by Ms. Word, you do belive. The reason you do is because this book is REAL. There are no made up stories and like Ms. Word said, all stories she has recorded have been told by the good ol' folks of south Louisiana. I had the good fortune for Ms. Word to visit my elementary school when I lived in So. Louisiana and I was one of the few who bought a copy and had her sign it. Almost 8 years later, I still have this book and as I go through college, these stories still have a firm place in my mind. Even though I no longer live in Louisiana, I can still go back with her book.

I am always worried where I send for little reflective books that the writing will be flat and the thoughts dull. This one shimmers on the page and the simple, wise writing is pure poetry. I also walked in the garden through the pages and found that, as the author learned and grew with the seasons and her brief encounters with others, so did I. I am keeping this one on my night table to dip into often.

Kephart again uses her beautiful gift of prose to bring us these reflections from Chanticleer. I deliberately took my time with this book, for I wanted to savor each page. The accompanying images add to the peaceful feeling of the book. I highly recommend this book.

This book is lovely. It is beautifully written, reflective - you want to take your time and savor it. The photos are a wonderful complement to the book. I think it would be a perfect Mothers Day gift. Make a cup of tea and read this book. I loved it.

The author of this small book, that would so easily fit the hands while walking a garden, ready to open while perhaps sitting on a fallen log or stump or among flowerbeds, is a poet in prose. Kephart has written an ongoing essay, covering the seasons of a garden as she covers the changing seasons of her own life. On her 41st birthday, she has a sobering moment of realization. She is about to enter midlife with all its reassessments and transformation and growth, all the realizations of changing roles as wife, mother, woman, writer. Discovering the garden called Chanticleer near her Philadelphia home gives her contemplations a beautiful backdrop, if not a solid grounding to view herself as she views the natural world around her.

Kephart walks the paths of the public garden and observes, then translates poetically to us, her readers, how she gradually learns to accept the changes inevitable in life. She observes nature as she observes the gardeners themselves. On occasion, she takes with her on her walks her young son, other times her husband, who captures Chanticleer in his own art medium - photography - adding his black and white images to Kephart's text.

Perhaps one moment so captured that might sum up Kephart's process of midlife transformation is a short essay about the garden after a storm:

"The garden had been put in its place by weather, and so had the rest of us; we are so entirely miniscule in comparison to wind and rain and hail. We were aware of how everything was angled newly. Made jagged or raw. Thinned out. We were reminded of other storms that had blown in, then turned and vanished.

"On that day only the gardeners seem brave - hauling broken branches and clumps of errant leaves from wherever they had gotten to, straightening the stakes and invisible ties, suggesting, by the way they carried things, that the world would be made right again. The gardeners were muddy and burdened and resilient because love is the only chance a garden's got. For the moment, and in the moment. Now because of then."

The walk through Kephart's garden of words is a path well worth taking.

Rarely can a book change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but everyone who reads Craig Barber's text and looks at his magnificent photographs will never look on Vietnam the same way again.

With gentle intensity, great compassion, a brilliant eye, and great skill and talent to realize his vision, Barber returned to Vietnam 28 years after having served as a US Marine at the age of 18 and photographed what he saw.

Thank you Craig Barber for letting us in on your very personal journey. Each photograph is like a little movie that grows and becomes richer and deeper every time I turn the page and return again.

Barber's photographs are masterpieces.

This book is exquisitely printed and put together, bravo to the publisher, Umbrage.

A must have and the perfect gift for lovers of travel, history, or just beautiful photography.

Craig Barber reminds us of the magic and importance of documentary photography. After all, it is real! What a gift.

This is an incredible book! The photographs are not only sensual and beautiful, but they are incredibly powerful, coming from a place of depth... I highly recommend this book.

Mr. Barber has spent many years developing his artistic vision with the two-lens, large format pinhole camera. In reviewing his first book, "Ghosts In The Landscape", I am moved by the personal depth of his aesthetic investment in creating a contemporary view of Viet Nam that borders on the mystical. I believe that if this view had been available in the 1960's, we, as a country, may have been unwilling to cause so much death and destruction. This is one of the most important post-Viet Nam era accounts I have encountered. I strongly recommend this book of deeply felt photographs.

I came of age during the Vietnam war and so have had many preconceptions about Vietnam and how it might be depicted. Craig Barber's images and words, and Alison Nordstrom's essay replaced any old memeories and preconceptions with evocative elegaic landscapes that one lingers over and remembers. A beautifully wrought landscape of the mind. A stunning book in every way. Thank you, Craig and Alison.

This book is one of the reasons why I love Storm Constantine's work. She manages to take everything she built up in the first two books of the trilogy, and bring it all together. There's no stretching the text or trying desperately to fill pages; the pacing is wonderful, and it's a page turner right to the end.

And it gets complex! All the hints from the first book, as well as some from the original Wraeththu trilogy, are brought together here in a plot that's more bizarre and fascinating than I'd imagined. Ancient angelic lore, occultism and interplanar travel are featured as Wraeththu work through a truly monumental period of growth in their history. The story is full of suspense, with an incredibly satisfying ending.

As is Constantine's style, we get to see some really interesting sides of various characters; I was particularly surprised to see what happened to Ponclast in this book. She has a good sense of balance for switching from one set of characters to the next, not letting us go too long without checking on everyone.

This book really brought the trilogy together, and it's going to be a favorite read of mine for years to come.

Darquiel was raised amidst the Olopade tribe, but though he has no idea who his parents are he believes he is the offspring of humiliated, dead or both Wraeththu of renown. As he grows up he realizes he is different from his tribesmen as he has magical prowess that no other seems to have. He experiments trying to "incept" his best friend, the human Amelza, but that fails tragically; Thiede the powerful detects Darq's magical effort especially his psychic plea to help his friend and realizes how different this har is from his tribesmen.

Loki, the son of the mighty Tigron, has a well earned reputation in the use of magic and diplomacy. However, Geburael and his half-brother Diablo, believing that the hold on society by their grandfather Tigron must end must kidnap Loki, whose attempts to escape fail. As Darq learns how to control his magic and who his parents are, his path will intersect with Geburael, Diablo, and Loki.

Though action saga fantasy fans will want to pass as the story line moves at a moderate pace, readers who appreciate a deep look at a future evolved species of humanity will fully relish this Wraeththu entry. Darq is the fascinating character though he shares top billing with the more accomplished Loki as the former's coming of age in the realm of magic brings deep insight into the abilities of his race. Storm Constantine provides a fine tale that shines a powerful light on the Wraeththu.

Harriet Klausner

Seldom you see a fantasy trilogy conclding itself in a manner so rich and satisfying. All the threads come to end in a stunning yet convincing way, and the plot unfurls in an intriguing, fascinating way. Seven years after the war on Fulminir, we witness the predicaments of three second-generation hara conceived during the fateful eventsin Shades: the proud and troubled Darquiel, growing in the far nothern realm of Olopade, the pampered and naive Loki, the favoured son of the Tigrons Calanthe and Pellaz,and the devious Geburael, son of the enemy of the Tigrons, Ponclast, andof the traitorous son of Pellaz, Abrimel. Geburael lives in the dark dimension of Thanatep with his brother Diablo, that teached him only hate and desires of revenge. The lives of Geburael, Loki and Darquiel will come at a crucial point in the magic land of Anakhai. Meanwhuile, the Kamagrian Lileem, in the realm of the Multiversal Library (in which one hears the echo of the Infinite Library of Jorge Luis Borges), will discover the very secret of the birth and meaning of Wraeththu. And even the all-powerful Thiede will have a part in this final disclosure.
Magnificently narrated, rich in details of strange and arcane realms, with charachters described in a so vivid and superbly detailed manner, that the reader will never forget them, this novel is a worthy conclusion of a trilogy that I think is no less magical and beautiful than the first Wraeththu Trilogy.

This is not just a finale for this trilogy, it's a satisfying conclusion to the entire Wraeththu arc. Characters you haven't even though of since the first book show up, and there are new revelations about other longtime characters that will surprise you.

Pell is still his ornery self, and he gets much more "screen time" than he's had in a while in the series.

Everything left hanging since the beginning of the series is answered here: Do you want to finally know where Wraeththu and Kamagrian come from? It's here. Do you want to know what happens when a harling is conceived by three, rather than two, hara? It's here. What of Lileem and her library? Yup, that's here too.

If the above confuses you, it's meant to. If you don't understand that, you really shouldn't read this book yet. Some books in some trilogies or series can be read as a standalone novel. While I suppose you might get some enjoyment if you tried it with this one, you'd also be immune to many of the surprises here... if you don't remember Velaxis, for instance, you're going to miss something big. Go get the Tor Omnibus book of the first trilogy (Wraeththu) and start there.

For the rest of you, though, those who want to know what Theide's been up to and whatever became of Ponclast, this conclusion does not disappoint.

Crafted in an in-your-face style that keeps you turning pages long past a prudent bedtime, Kay Jefferson's gritty tale of a tragic, bitter childhood that evolves into an adult's incredible battle to survive is one that every reader should have in his/her library.

Yes, despite what appears to be a story aimed primarily at a traditional female readership, Mrs. Jefferson's book is one read that every man (regardless of how 'emotionally sophisticated' he may think he is) should read. It doesn't demonize men, nor does it anoint women with sainthood. It does, however, smack the reader in the face with what most of us suspect happened (and still does!) in far too many families. Cross-breed ignorance and alcoholism, liberally fertilize with fundamentalist religion, raging hormones, drugs and poverty, and you get a recipe (and a person) destined for destruction.

But we humans, with all our warts and features we'd like to pretend don't exist, can sometimes (though all too rarely) rise above our worst enemies.

Especially when those enemies are ourselves.

Read "The Ghosts of Christmas Past". Do it for the one you love. Failing that, be selfish and do it for yourself.

You won't regret it.

"If you are at the end of your rope, don't tie a knot to hold on. Instead, read Kay Jefferson's great help, THE GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST.

In this well documented, fast paced and straight to the facts epic, you will find courage to face any addiction that you may face. Never again will you say there's no hope for your condition, however serious it may be. Jefferson gives proof that no obstacle is hopeless."

This book is truly enjoyable. From the time I started reading it, I found it very hard to put down. Kay Jefferson has a good writing style, good language and she brought her characters to life. This book will be a help to others who have had or are having traumatic lives to see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Ms. Jefferson takes the reader on quite a ride with this first novel of hers. I look forward to reading more of her work. This book is a delicacy for readers, it's ingredients spiced with a healthy variety of comedy and trauma as the reader is taken on a wild ride through time with Ms. Jefferson's lead character, Callie. Callie was born two days before Christmas, creating an automatic and generally unwanted link to the holiday. Callie deals with an emotionally, verbally and physically abusive tryant of a father and soon falls into the depths of hell at an extremely young age created by her addictions to drugs, alcohol and sex; a direct result of the abuse at her father's hands. "The Ghosts of Christmas Past" is a nice dose of reality for those who feel addictions receive too much attention and/or addicts are not worth saving because they "cause their own problems". It also brings to the forefront the incredible affect that abuse and poverty have on human beings. I recommend this book to everyone, no matter what genre they generally read. "The Ghosts of Christmas Past" can be enjoyed by all.

Robbie and Dora are the spookiest ghosts on Fear Street. At least, they think they are. Until Oliver Bowen moves into their house. Oliver can't be scared! The kid has an explanation for everything. The sheet rising off a chair all by itself? Only the wind. The howls and moans at midnight? His sister having a nightmare. The horrible face in the attic window? Just a weird reflection. But Robbie and Dora have a plan. A plan to scare Oliver out of his socks-and out of their hosue for good.

this is a good book.oliver is not a bit afraid of ghosts.he cant be scared.but 2 ghost named robbie and dora are planing to scare the hell out of oliver but they always fail. but after all this they have a master plan.

It's about Oliver Bowen who is haunted by a ghost. My favourite part was when the ghost possessed the computer, it created a startling scene. Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. A must read for anyone who is brave enough.

This book is about Oliver Bowen. Oliver Bowen is not scared of anything, Even though he lives in a haunted house. There are even ghosts there, Robbie and Dora, two of the ghosts are trying to scare him. Next comes the funny part, Robbie and Dora followed Oliver to school. Dora's plan was to make his tools float but that did not work. Now they will have their master plan. But will the master plan scare Oliver? Thee's only one way to find out.

This is an amazing book.

I bought two others on this subject that came out recently and was very disapointed that they were essentially tales told by old soldiers. This one doesn't just talk about the operations, it shows where, when and what each secret operation was.

Period photos and paperwork are also pictured to back up the claims about what this unit did. Also are organizational charts, roster of officers, and my favorite, an essay about possible connections between Patton and decption. Now there's a book I want someone to write!

Everyone always advertises their books as 'never before seen' and "unknown stories" and all that hooey. This book delivers. Possibly the most important new book on WW2 I have read in the past few years.

Jonathan Gawne is without a doubt one of America's leading military historians and is the author of many amazing books. The research done for this book was clearly extensive, and there is no doubt in your mind that when you're done reading this, you know the whole story.

Just when you think everything has been written on the US Army in WW2, Jon Gawne does it again by not only writing on a previously unreported subject, but doing so in a very interesting way!

"Ghosts of the ETO" outlines a unique unit dedicated to fooling the Germans on the battlefield. Now a recognized part of Army Psychological warfare (PSYOP) tactics, the idea was unheard of with the Army in the 1940s. These PSYOP pioneers had among their numbers the most creative and intelligent people the Army could find. For once, "Military Intelligence" was NOT a contradiction in terms. In true Army fashion, these troops were used for duties that were a waste of their talents, such as broadcasting propaganda. But in the end, the Army realized the usefulness that deception troops could play on a mechanized battlefield. Their ability to mislead the enemy into thinking certain units were either there or not there (the opposite of wherever they really were) cannot be underestimated today. The truly sad thing is that until recently, few had ever heard of these pioneers in strategic deception.

Oddly, several books have come out at the same time on this subject. I have read them all, and "Ghosts of the ETO" is far and clear the best of these. Gawne's writing style is unique among many of his peers; he's actually interesting to read. He doesn't get bogged down into what color the loudspeakers were or other trivial facts that most readers couldn't care less about. He has the ability to know when to delve into details of equipment and such, and more importantly, when NOT to. My only complaint is that Gawne couldn't locate more information in the archives when he researched this book, but due to the secrative nature of the unit's operations, this comes as no surprise. "Ghosts of the ETO" provides a fresh, new look at a subject I would have thought had been written to death. And it also will illustrate to future generations that the Army of 1944 was no slow, plodding green monster with no regard for intelligent actions. Far from it. WW2 was the opening stages of what we today consider the "modern" Army. And I for one am glad that Gawne decided to write what is, to date, the best history of this fine unit.

Ghosts Of The Eto: American Tactical Deception Units In The European Theater 1944-1945 by military historian and expert Jonathan Gawne, provides the reader with an informed and informative look at the 23rd Special Troops, who fought the German army at the end of World War II using deception as an effective military tactic. Telling the compelling story of courageous and cunning soldiers through declassified memos and the testimony of survivors, Ghosts Of The Eto is highly recommended reading as being a simply fascinating military history of a hidden aspect of World War II that would have a profound and lasting influence on military strategy and tactics.

Let me start by saying I just came home from Paris where Ipicked up this book in French at Versailles and read it late everysingle night! If you want it in English, amazon.uk will special order it. I first saw this as a movie on PBS, "Mrs. Morison's Ghosts," about 20 years ago and never forgot it. At the time I didnt know if it was fiction or nonfiction and couldn't find the book because the title was different and the authors did not use their real names for the first edition. This book, published first in 1911 and many times since, was a best seller in England and France. "les Fantomes de Trianon" or "Ghosts of the Trianon" not only includes the original story, but the painstakingly detailed research the authors did to track down and authenticate everything they had seen, their three subsequent visits to Versailles, and various analyses of their experience, which amounted to stepping across a time warp. As my version points out, mankind has conquered the speed of sound and the speed of light, so why shouldn't we someday be able to break through the barrier of time? I found both the book and the movie thrilling and thought-provoking. This story has not had the publicity it deserves.

By the way, I've hung out in the gardens of Versailles on two occasions so far, and both times there were repairs in the area of the Petit Trianon, so I wasn't able to see if I could duplicate their experience. If I ever do, I'll let you all know!

This fall (10/5, I believe) it will be one hundred years to the day that Moberly and Jourdain saw the Ghosts of Versailles. I expect to be there around then and if I get a chance to lurk around the Petit Trianon and see anything, I'll add to this review. I thought I'd point this out to anyone else planning to be in Paris at the time. Ghosts seem to like me, the chances are good. Watch for my next review on The Days of the French Revolution, another 5-star.

A magical walk in the castle's park, where two English spinsters, schoolmistresses, discovered an incredible view of what Versailles was before the French Revolution. Amazingly authentic and truthful. I loved it and I think everyone who loves France should read it, if you can find it!

A thorough and absorbing re-examination of the curious story of two proper English ladies - Miss Moberly and Miss Jordaine - who went for a stroll one hot summer day in 1900 and came back convinced that they had traveled through time and seen Marie Antoinette. This is one of the world's great, unresolved ghost stories, and this slim volume does a very in-depth examination of exactly what these ladies may have seen and exactly how their story has been dealt with down through the decades. Thought provoking and very satisfying for the reader of true life ghost stories. I literally searched for this book for years and finally finding it was well worth my long, long anticipation. Highly recommended.

I am a Board Member of the Military Writers Society of America, and author of The Angel From Vietnam.

I spent four years in Vietnam and hope I know more about the war, the troops, the Vietnamese, than the average person who was there for a one year tour of duty and just wanted out. I've read many books on the war and must truthfully say that I was not really looking forward to reviewing another "war book". Too many of them, to me, have been repetitive, predictable, and full of clichés.

The cover of the book features a photo of a combat assault somewhere near the DMZ (demilitarized zone). I thought to myself, `here we go again'.

I was blown away by this book. Finally something noticeably different. John Nesser was no hero in his eyes, but did heroic things. He was absolutely able to capture the truth about this most understood of wars. John had reservations about the war, but conducted himself as a true patriot and soldier of the highest commendation; and he did so humbly, and with compassion. Too many books portray endless day-to-day combat, and that was just not what happened. The author skillfully details the boredom, the day-to-day drudgery, the missteps and the Peter Principle that, if we could reach a certain level of incompetence, Vietnam was no different.

The American soldier is portrayed as he was, the good, bad, and the ugly, but certainly soldiers who redeemed themselves when they needed to be counted on. Certainly far more commendable soldiers who were so much different than portrayed in today's movies and stereotypes.

There are personal photos and a few maps, but the glory of this read is in the author's wonderful writing. I will be submitting this wonderful book for top honors in its category for 2008.

I served in another battalion of the 101st Airborne at the same time and area as John Nesser, and I can testify to the realistic picture he describes of the daily life of a grunt. The A Shau Valley and DMZ were particularly rough and dangerous areas, and John captures the feeling of these places. His description of the day-to-day details of a grunt's life is one of the best I've read.

I have known John for over 30 years, as a good friend and neighbor. After reading this excellent book i realized that i didn't really know John and what he went through in Vietnam. Once i started reading The Ghosts of Thua Thien i found it hard to put down. It is one of the best written books about a soldier's experience from growing up in Central Wisconsin,college,a new family man and being drafted in the Army. His experiences in basic training,to combat in Vietnam and his returning home to live a normal life. John is a very quiet person I know it must have been difficult to relive these good and bad experiences. He brings them to life in this book for you to relive with him. Thanks John for writing this book! Terry

John Nessser takes the reader on a journey through hell as he tells of his personal experience as a soldier in the infamous 101st Airborne Division which suffered the 3rd highest mortality rates during the Vietnam War. Nesser brings his mid-Western upbringing to Vietnam... duty, Country and values that were instilled in him as a young boy growing up in Wisconisn. He loses part of himself in Vietnam as he faces the harsh realities of this War. This is a remarkable journey to hell and back told with honesty and great courage. Nesser is a hero but probably would not look at himself this way. This is a struggle for the soul of the Author and is a must read if you want to experience daily life in Vietnam during that terrible war. I could not put this book down.

I bought this book to send to Harry's daughter. I have just recently, for the first time, made contact with her. My husband and I built the house that Harry has occupied for the past 30 years. Harry is less mischievous than he used to be, but we still hear from him from time to time. My husband died recently and I am building a smaller house for myself. However, it is on the same property and I am hoping Harry will move into the new house with me. My daughter-in-law hopes so also as she and my son will be moving into the house I am presently living in. She is a little scared of Harry. However, I am very fond of him.

I know you want an rating of the entire book and not just about my story. For someone who does not really believe in ghosts, I would say that the entire book is very interesting, to say the least.

The key word in the title of this book is "Modern" for the haunts described in this book are all of an ongoing nature. This is not to say that some of these hauntings haven't been going on for quite some time because they have been, but these are not old legends that deal with purported events that no living person has witnessed. Each and every story in this book is backed up by eyewitness testimonials and all of these ghosts were still haunting their chosen haunt. In other words, this is what all ghost books should be like.

The author of this book is herself the owner of a haunted building and is one of those people who never believed in ghosts until she and her husband bought the building in question. Most of the people who appear in this book were just like her and didn't believe until events forced them to change their minds. Many of the witnesses in this book are the sweet little ladies who lead tours through old antebellum homes and are just not the type to make this kind of thing up. On the contrary, I would imagine that they made excuses for the disturbances for a long time before finally having to admit that they might have a ghost on their hands.

This author does an excellent job of giving the reader the history of the location and the haunt itself without going into such detail that she looses the reader's interest. Most of each story deals with recent activity and the eyewitness accounts of the activity. She makes a particularly insightful observation in noting that some phenomena such as phantom footsteps and lights that turn off and on by themselves are common to most haunts whereas the popular idea of rattling chains and weary moans are almost never present. Over many years of reading ghost books I've noticed the same thing.

The photographs taken by the author's husband add to the eerie feel of the book and the author has a very nice writing style. These stories aren't all that scary but they do give you a feel for the haunted location and it's spooks. This would be a terrific book for planning a nice October ghost tour of Mississippi and with this book in hand I may just do that someday.

This is an outstanding book. I was hooked on the first page and couldn't stop reading until I was finished. The photography is every bit as exceptional as the writing. I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever had even the slightest interest in ghosts. If you are from the south it is a must!

A wonderful book -- low key and well written. The stories speak for themselves without author intrusion or fictionalized "oo-wee-spooky" add-ins. The Hubbards obviously enjoyed this project, and it shows. If you want ectoplasm dripping from the walls and bloody apparitions, you won't find them here; but you will meet real ghosts and the people who live with them discussing the subtle, cumulatively unsettling experience of being haunted.

I own 300 or so nonfiction ghost collections, and wrote my own ("Mobile Ghosts, Alabama's Haunted Port City.")I've sent an awful lot of ghost books on to the library, but this is one I enjoy rereading, and have it on the "keeper" shelf. --Elizabeth Parker