'Spookiness is the real purpose of the ghost story. It should give you the creeps and disturb your thoughts…' – Roald Dahl
Whether considered the souls of the dead, windows in time or interdimensional beings, cultures throughout the centuries have reacted with fear and fascination to their horrific haunts and eerie appearances. In Ghosts, discover the intriguing stories behind one some of the most infamous and terrifying spectres ever seen. This enchanting collection uncovers the mysteries of historic ghost sightings, delving into the past. Alongside traditional tales, learn how ghosts continue to be prevalent in our contemporary lives and popular culture. Accompanied by intricate images, delve into the life and origins of every spectre featured in this riveting read. Discover fascinating facts about historical ghostly happenings of figures such as the Grey Lady, learn which of Henry VIII's infamous wives haunts the Bloody Tower, read more about friendly, beloved ghosts created by Charles Dickens and Daphne du Maurier and explore the disappearances surrounding the St Louis Cemetery in New Orleans, USA. Ghosts is beautifully illustrated, packed with stunning images and full of haunting tales.
Contents: Introduction
Ghosts from Literature • The ghost of Beloved from Beloved by Toni Morrison • Miss Jessel and Peter Quint, the ghosts in The Turn of the Screw by Henry James • The ghost of Hamlet's father from Hamlet by William Shakespeare • The Headless Horseman from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving • Susie Salmon from The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold • The King of the Dead and the Dead Men of Dunharrow from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien • The ghosts from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, and Jacob Marley. • The Canterville Ghost from The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde • The Hogwarts ghosts from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Each Hogwarts house has a ghost (Nearly-Headless Nick for Gryffindor, Fat Friar for Hufflepuff, the Bloody Baron for Slytherin and the Grey Lady for Ravenclaw) • Banquo the ghost from Macbeth by William Shakespeare • The hotel ghosts from The Shining by Stephen King • The "ghost" of Rebecca in Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Ghosts from (pop) Culture • Caspar the Friendly Ghost • Bloody Mary • The Cheltenham Ghost • The Drury Lane ghost • Slimer from Ghostbusters
Ghosts from Folklore • The flying Dutchman • Adze, Ewe vampiric being • Amadlozi, Nguni spiritual figures • Asanbosam, Akan vampire • Egbere, Yoruban malevolent spirit • Kishi, Angolan two-faced demon • Madam Koi Koi, Nigerian ghost • Mbwiri, Central African demon • Obambo, Central African supernatural being • Obayifo, Ashanti vampire • Obia, West African monster • Ogbanje, Igbo evil spirit • Tikoloshe, spirit from Zulu cultures • Zar, Ethiopian demon • Wangliang, Chinese ghost • Ayakashi, Japanese ghost • Raakebhoot, Bangladeshi ghost • Phillipines ghosts: Aswang, Kapre, Manananggal, Tiyanak • The Wild Hunt • White Lady • Genius loci, Greek • Shade, Greek/Roman • Vrykolakas, Greek/Roman • Agnes Sampson, known as Bloody Agnes, believed to haunt Holyrood Palace • The Brown Lady • Cock Lane ghost (called "Scratching Fanny") received massive public attention in 18th- century England • Drummer of Tedworth • Dullahan, similar to the headless horseman • The ghost nun of Borley Rectory • The ghost of Anne Boleyn, reportedly seen at the Tower of London • Grey Lady, a ghost believed to haunt Glamis Castle • Man in Grey of the Theatre Royal • Nan Tuck's Ghost, believed to haunt Nan Tuck's Lane, one mile from Buxted • Fisher's ghost The legend of Fisher's ghost is a popular Australian ghost story or folk tale dating to the early 19th century. • Frederick Baker ("Frederick Federici") of Princess Theatre, Melbourne • Monte Cristo Homestead of Junee, New South Wales; allegedly Australia's most haunted house • La Llorona, a ghost of Latin American folklore who is said to have murdered her children • Sayona, a Venezuelan vengeful spirit who appears to unfaithful husbands • The ghost of Resurrection Mary allegedly haunts roads and buildings around Resurrection Cemetery near Justice, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. • Ghost of Queen Esther, the ghost of an Iroquois woman who allegedly mourns the massacre of her village in Pennsylvania. • Ghosts of the American Civil War
Ghosts from Castles • Grey Lady – Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire, UK • Green Lady – Château de Brissac, Angers, France • The Blue Boy – Chillingham Castle, Northumberland, UK • Alice and Felix – Château de Fougeret, Queaux, France • Yellow Boy and Spinning Jenny –Knebworth House, Hertfordshire, UK • The Red Lady – Bodiam Castle, East Sussex, UK • The Voodoo Queen – St Louis Cemetery No 1, New Orleans, USA • Edward Clark, Little Girl and Young Man – Dakota Building, New York, USA
Height:176
Width:146
Spine:16
Weight:270.00