Rating: 
Summary: Chock full of paranormal encounters.
Review: "The Ghost Next Door: True Stories of Paranormal Encounters from Everyday People" is chock full of what you expect from the title...paranormal encounters. Who hasn't been at a gathering at some time when the conversation turns to eerie happenings and stories about apparitions or things that go bump in the night? Mr. Morris has obviously been to many in his day. What he presents here is 100 pages of stories of haunted hotels, spirited houses and energies not yet ready to leave our realm. The book jacket reports that Mr. Morris has studied the paranormal for many years and he comes across as quite an expert with an astonishing depth of knowledge. Mr. Morris leaves each yarn with a number of questions that no one of this world can answer. They are thought provoking yet impossible to definitively answer. That is the true interest of his book.
Rating:
Summary: Boooteful Stories of paranormal evidence
Review: After reading many books by several empowering authors such as Betty Eadie, John Edward, Sylvia Browne, and Tiffany Snow, that I am still reading, my life has opened up to me in such a compelling and wonderful way. This new book is well written, and thought provoking. There are great transforming authors, who shift the consciousness of humankind in a way never known before, and have the courage to reveal their paranormal experiences. The Ghost Next door is one of these.
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Summary: Very strongly recommended for students of the occult
Review: Compiled by Mark Alan Morris, The Ghost Next Door is a collection of chilling stories of paranormal encounters, as told by everyday men and women. Careful description and attention to detail make these tales eerily believable and truly spooky. From the woman who was visited by her grandfather on the night of the old man's funeral; to the playground where one particular swing is always occupied by a ghost; to the home in Texas that was visited by a ghost who came all the way from Gettysburg, the tales comprising The Ghost Next Door are very strongly recommended for students of the occult.
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Summary: EXCELLENT COLLECTION OF TRUE GHOST STORIES
Review: Having been involved in the paranormal for many years, I have picked up, flipped through and subsequently replaced many books that have been written on this subject. I am not a regular reader of books; I do enjoy them, but I rarely have enough spare time to sit down and really get into them. I do own many ghost books, most of which have to do with famous buildings that house famous ghosts. The accounts tend to read more like local urban myths, however, and I rarely read them properly but refer back to them if I ever need to review information on a particular location. A coworker handed me "The Ghost Next Door" and asked me to write a review of it. As soon as the book landed in my hands, I flipped it over to read the back cover. I had only to read the first paragraph to understand how interesting this book was going to be... I'd made a decision before arriving home that I WOULD find the time to read this book and write a short review--but I also decided to be honest and not write a great review simply to be nice to the author. I was so keen by the time I got home that, despite the hour being late and myself tired, I jumped onto the sofa and kicked off my shoes, thinking, "I shall just read a few pages to see what it's about..." The author's introduction was excellent, and I found myself in agreement with many of his theories and ideas. I also found myself launching straight into the first story...then the second. I was captivated, only eventually closing the book due to a desperate need for sleep, which was definitely not brought about by the book itself! I was actually rather surprised at how much of the book I'd already read. As I lay in bed drifting off to sleep, I thought about the book and the stories within it; these were REAL stories from everyday people. It was that which made it so interesting--and so chilling! What I really like about this book is its simplicity. As you read, you genuinely feel as if these people are speaking directly to you. There are no long paragraphs designed solely to aid in imagining the scenery; there is simply no need for it. From the first sentence, you are there with them--these everyday people; you are in their homes, in their workplaces and, in some cases, you can sense their fear. Having spent a night completely alone in one of the UK's most haunted houses, it's safe to say I am not easily spooked; in fact, I enjoyed it a great deal. When I hear about others' experiences with the paranormal, I sometimes think, "I wish I could have been there and witnessed it myself." In THIS book, however, (although it was my favorite story) "The Thing in the Cabin" was one encounter that I would prefer to avoid having, especially after reminding myself these are REAL people and REAL stories...so this actually happened to someone! Having read this book twice now, the ONLY somewhat negative point I can make is that it should have been thicker; this is taking nothing away from what IS in the book, but when I reached the end, I simply wanted more. Mark Alan Morris has gone some way to demonstrate that these "rare and elusive creatures" (ghosts) might not be so rare as we think, and that people just like you and me can (and do) suddenly and unexpectedly find themselves face to face with the unknown...
Rating:
Summary: A nice collection of true ghost stories
Review: I found this book to be enjoyable and quite worth the asking price. If you like ghost stories--especially true ghost stories--I recommend this title. And a note to Shallard from Virginia and Carolyn from Florida: Everyone's entitled to their opinion. But let's not make this review page a personal debate forum, okay?
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Summary: A Must-Have for Ghost Story Fans!
Review: I have a fairly extensive collection of books on true ghost experiences, and The Ghost Next Door is written just the way I like them. The author prefaces each story with some interesting (and sometimes eerie) commentary. He wraps each of them up with commentary, as well. I also like that the stories come straight from the source--the person who actually had the encounter with a ghost. I couldn't put this book down, and I read most of it in one night (I was up until two in the morning, and didn't want to go to sleep because I was so creeped out!). If you're interested in ghosts and paranormal phenomena, this book is a must-have!
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Summary: Fascinating reading...from a fresh perspective!
Review: I just finished reading this book for the second time, and I feel compelled to write a review. I purchased THE GHOST NEXT DOOR several months ago and devoured it within the first few days I had it. I really enjoyed it. One night, recently, the weather was nasty outside and I was home alone. I was in the mood for some ghost stories, so I pulled THE GHOST NEXT DOOR off the shelf and made myself comfy in my Lazyboy. It was just as good the second time around! I found myself continuing to read through it over the next few days, until I had finished it once again. This book does something not many books of its kind can lay claim to: It holds my interest from cover to cover. Maybe it's the author's wonderful writing style; maybe it's the fact that the stories are new and original; maybe it's because the book describes ghostly activity as experienced by ordinary people; heck, maybe it's the oh-so-creepy picture on the cover of the book! The fact is that it's all of these things that make this book so eerily entertaining. I look forward eagerly to Mr. Morris' next book. Until then, I'll probably read this one a few more times!
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Summary: Perfect for Stormy Nights!
Review: I just finished this book and I have to say it is a keeper! If you like to settle down in the evening with a good book about hauntings, this is for you. The stories keep you on the edge of your seat, and the really creepy thing is that they are all true. I love the way the author sets up each story with a little bit of commentary. It really sets the mood for the spooky stories that follow! This is a great little book for anyone who likes ghost stories. Be sure to add this one to your collection.
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Summary: Reading for the Midnight Hour...
Review: I just love to read ghost stories. This book has some really good ones. Not just the usual creaking doors and rattling chains, but unique, interesting and sometimes chilling tales of supernatural events that happened to real people in modern times. Anyone who enjoys settling down with a good book of ghost stories will enjoy this one. I highly recommend it. A word of caution, though--make sure all your doors are locked before you start reading!
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Summary: "Timeslipped" should change name to "Whine-lipped"
Review: I just read this book, and I take issue with the things that this "Timeslipped" person wrote in an earlier review. First of all, there are way more than just TWO stories in it that are genuinely interesting/creepy. The few that aren't necessarily "creepy" are actually touching, or otherwise moving.
And the author's commentary is most certainly not "totally useless" as you say...anyone with an ounce of sensitivity would realize that. The author's commentary introduces each story in an engaging, mood-setting "Rod Serling"-type manner, then wraps up each story with touching prose or thought-provoking questions.
Frankly, after taking a look at the other book reviews that "Timeslipped" has written, I don't understand why he/she continues to read books, as he/she seems to hate everything.
This book is obviously over your head, "Timeslipped". Maybe you should stick to comic books. Just take a look at the other reviews of "The Ghost Next Door" on this page. You're way outnumbered...by folks who actually know a good book when they read it.
ADDENDUM, 9/24/04, in response to "timeslipped":
<<JT Gentry, aka "Jon," aka probable cousin of the author:>>
"Probable cousin of the author"? Because I happen to like the book, and happen to dislike overly critical, frustrated wannabe writers like you? Puh-leeze.
<<...should the top Nielsen-rated shows, which feature people scarfing down bugs and trying to out-Jerry Springer one another, be deemed masterworks?>>
I never referred to this book as a "masterwork," nor, I'm certain, was the author attempting to write one when he penned this volume. I simply think it deserves a lot more credit (for what it is) than you're giving it.
<<Two four-star reviews, two three-star reviews, three two-star reviews and two one-star reviews = I hate everything? Your math is as questionable as your literature standards.>>
According to your statement above, your reviews average out to 2.4 out of 5 stars. Not exactly a cheerleader, are you? WHOSE math is questionable? And, after taking a look at some of the other awe-inspiring titles you've read, I have to wonder about YOUR literature standards. "The Time Traveler's Wife"? Come on.
<<If your thoughts are provoked by statements like "Was it the spirit of the old buccaneer, returned to claim his gold? I guess we'll never know," I can only presume this is your first book ever.>>
That statement isn't even in this book, dipstick, but I'm sure the author would appreciate your misrepresentation. This statement, however, IS in the book:
"Most parents never lose their nurturing tendencies, even after their children are grown and have families of their own. Nothing, it seems, can keep these loving parents from looking after their offspring, so long as they live and breathe...and sometimes, even afterwards..."
Now, if you don't think that statement is a touching and effective intro to a ghost story, you're even colder than you seem.
<<It's a half-assed compilation of ghost stories, not the complete annotated works of Proust.>>
Well, that would make it just the ticket for a half-assed reviewer such as yourself.
<<And I know that it's easy for you to place "helpful" votes for yourself (if you sign out) and "unhelpful" votes for people with whom you disagree an endless number of times, but try to control yourself.>>
So you can't fathom the concept that anyone would find my review helpful or yours unhelpful? My, my...a bit full of ourselves, aren't we?
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