The Amityville Horror Conspiracy

Rating:
Summary: A good conclusion to an international con.
Review: A most exhaustive review of how a con-job is created. I felt connected with this story. The movie came out in 79, soon after I graduated from high school. My best friend at the time dated one of the girls who played a victim in the movie. Yes I live in LA. I thought the movie was silly. It was even harder to believe that it was suppose to be based on a true story. I read the book by Anson. It was sillier than the movie. I then started thinking, Wow! I can make fortune by making up stuff like this. Unfortunately I'm to honest to do such a think. O'well, I guess I'm going to have to work for a living. I first heard about Stephan, and Roxanne Kaplan through a coffee table book called " Great Mystries", by Robert Jackson. It was a one page references to the Amityville horror Hoax. I then started looking for thier writings. I found " The Amityville Horror Conspiracy" to be an exhaustive analysis of this hoax. Roxanne wrote it in such a way that I felt personally involved, as well as personaly insalted by this fraud. I've read books by Ed and Lorraine, and anybody who does battle with the Warrens is a champion in my book. they remind me of ambulance chasers of the paranormal. Mrs. Kaplan... Stephens death was a great loss for us all. I feal I knew him through your writing this book, and I wish I had met Him. An excelent book. Highly recommended for intellectuals, skeptics or anybody who thinks for a living. I also recommend "Secrets of the Supernatural, Investigating the World's Occult Mysteries". By Joe Nickell, Prometheus Press. He solves a couple of other Mysteries. Yours Truly, Kevin McLean, a Skeptic

Rating:
Summary: Very illuminating and entertaining
Review: Dr. and Mrs. Kaplan's book is THE final word on the hoax that was the "Amityville Horror," and few could finish this book with any lingering doubt as to whether this case was a fabrication. Containing factual data and quotes, interesting behind-the-scenes anecdotes, newspaper articles, radio transcripts, a slew of logical reasoning, and no small amount of humor, Dr. and Mrs. Kaplan have irrevocably refuted the avaricious fantasies (packaged as a "true story") told by the Lutzes, beyond all shadow of doubt. All one needs is an open mind and a few hours to enjoy the contents and the real story behind the multimillion-dollar industry spawned by this case is laid bare.

Proof that "The Amityville Horror" was anything but a true story can be found in several concrete examples from the book. One is Dr. Kaplan's description of an interview with author Jay Anson, who admitted he wrote "The Amityville Horror" based on tapes made by the Lutzes and that he did not verify anything, for the Lutzes "seemed like nice people" and he didn't think they would lie. Another example is a series of statements from individuals such as Sergeant Pat Cammoroto of the Amityville Police Department, reporters Steve Bauman and Marvin Scott, and the priest known in "The Amityville Horror" as Father Mancuso (real name Father Pecoraro), all of whom attest they did not observe or uncover certain paranormal phenomena despite claims by the Lutzes in their book. A third instance involves an analysis of the house itself which reveals that the supernaturally-based damage reported by the Lutzes, the spookiness of the so-called "red room," the alleged history of dead and dying Indians on the property, and the supposed uninhabitability of the place due to malevolent forces were all fabrications. A fourth example is based on the scrutiny of the seemingly countless revisions the Lutzes made to their story, as reported through various mediums including television, magazines, and the hardcover/paperback editions of "The Amityville Horror." A fifth consists of a word-for-word account from attorney William Weber describing how he and the Lutzes cooked up this fairy tale. Last but not least, one of the most powerful examples of proof appears in the form of public confessions from George Lutz himself that many of the details of this ghost story either did not happen the way they were told or did not happen at all (my personal favorite was his statement that everything in the house was just fine until the last week or so, rendering the bulk of his claims false). How anyone could continue to believe in this tale after not only seeing the number of times it evolved but also observing several false pretenses crumble under examination is a mystery. Regardless, the proof about this fraudulent ghost story is all here for anyone who cares to examine it; I have only mentioned a few of the many compelling illustrations.

Most readers will rightfully applaud the Kaplans for closing the book on an enduring myth that disrupted a real town on Long Island for 25 years and allowed scoundrels such as the Lutzes and Warrens to profit to this day from shameless deception. However, it seems there is a contingent of loyal believers who feel quite threatened by the possibility that a story they faithfully subscribed to for years was in actuality a fabrication. Rather than thank Dr. and Mrs. Kaplan for offering the truth from behind the scenes, some have engaged in a childish smear campaign against Dr. Kaplan - which only serves as a testimony to the efficacy of the Kaplans' arguments. Dr. Kaplan has been harshly portrayed as either out for money (quite hypocritical given the untold amounts made by the Lutzes' version of the story) or revenge that he wasn't included in the original investigation (which he was... until he warned George Lutz if there was any sign of a hoax he would expose it, causing Lutz to end his association with Dr. Kaplan). However, neither of these juvenile accusations can change the veracity of the information he and his wife provided in their book.

I couldn't help but notice the comments of those who insisted "Kaplan was not a parapsychologist" (he was), "Stephen Kaplan did not hold a doctorate" (he did, from Pacific College) and "There are even a few spots in the book where, if you do your own investigative work, Kaplan just plain lies" (Examples, please?) never contributed any data of their own to address any specific claims by the Kaplans. One reviewer even announced, "Well, actually it has been proven that this book is the real hoax." (By whom?) It's a rather sad commentary on the mindset of the "true believer," who ignores the facts that debunk the Lutzes' lies and instead tries to smear the opposition, usually with the assistance of the load of malarkey provided about Amityville on the Warrens' website. It's not hard to see why there is such desperation by some to change the subject from the facts; throughout the many years this case has endured there has never been a single molecule of factual evidence to support the claims of the Lutzes. People have lived in this house with absolutely no paranormal activity (and no professional investigators of the paranormal other than the Warrens detected any as well) in the quarter-century that has passed since the Lutzes "fled." The original motive for their departure? Severe financial problems caused by their purchasing a house too expensive to afford, despite it's reduced price tag. Those financial problems motivated the Lutzes to release a number of obnoxiously false book sequels (still titled "A True Story," of course) - which all on their own stand as a perfect testament to the Lutzes' lack of credibility.

In summary, this book presents a wonderfully entertaining insight not just towards this case but the world of paranormal investigation, publishing and television. I think it will greatly appeal to those interested in the true story behind the "true story."

Rating:
Summary: Very illuminating and entertaining
Review: Dr. and Mrs. Kaplan's book is THE final word on the hoax that was the "Amityville Horror," and few could finish this book with any lingering doubt as to whether this case was a fabrication. Containing factual data and quotes, interesting behind-the-scenes anecdotes, newspaper articles, radio transcripts, a slew of logical reasoning, and no small amount of humor, Dr. and Mrs. Kaplan have irrevocably refuted the avaricious fantasies (packaged as a "true story") told by the Lutzes, beyond all shadow of doubt. All one needs is an open mind and a few hours to enjoy the contents and the real story behind the multimillion-dollar industry spawned by this case is laid bare.

Proof that "The Amityville Horror" was anything but a true story can be found in several concrete examples from the book. One is Dr. Kaplan's description of an interview with author Jay Anson, who admitted he wrote "The Amityville Horror" based on tapes made by the Lutzes and that he did not verify anything, for the Lutzes "seemed like nice people" and he didn't think they would lie. Another example is a series of statements from individuals such as Sergeant Pat Cammoroto of the Amityville Police Department, reporters Steve Bauman and Marvin Scott, and the priest known in "The Amityville Horror" as Father Mancuso (real name Father Pecoraro), all of whom attest they did not observe or uncover certain paranormal phenomena despite claims by the Lutzes in their book. A third instance involves an analysis of the house itself which reveals that the supernaturally-based damage reported by the Lutzes, the spookiness of the so-called "red room," the alleged history of dead and dying Indians on the property, and the supposed uninhabitability of the place due to malevolent forces were all fabrications. A fourth example is based on the scrutiny of the seemingly countless revisions the Lutzes made to their story, as reported through various mediums including television, magazines, and the hardcover/paperback editions of "The Amityville Horror." A fifth consists of a word-for-word account from attorney William Weber describing how he and the Lutzes cooked up this fairy tale. Last but not least, one of the most powerful examples of proof appears in the form of public confessions from George Lutz himself that many of the details of this ghost story either did not happen the way they were told or did not happen at all (my personal favorite was his statement that everything in the house was just fine until the last week or so, rendering the bulk of his claims false). How anyone could continue to believe in this tale after not only seeing the number of times it evolved but also observing several false pretenses crumble under examination is a mystery. Regardless, the proof about this fraudulent ghost story is all here for anyone who cares to examine it; I have only mentioned a few of the many compelling illustrations.

Most readers will rightfully applaud the Kaplans for closing the book on an enduring myth that disrupted a real town on Long Island for 25 years and allowed scoundrels such as the Lutzes and Warrens to profit to this day from shameless deception. However, it seems there is a contingent of loyal believers who feel quite threatened by the possibility that a story they faithfully subscribed to for years was in actuality a fabrication. Rather than thank Dr. and Mrs. Kaplan for offering the truth from behind the scenes, some have engaged in a childish smear campaign against Dr. Kaplan - which only serves as a testimony to the efficacy of the Kaplans' arguments. Dr. Kaplan has been harshly portrayed as either out for money (quite hypocritical given the untold amounts made by the Lutzes' version of the story) or revenge that he wasn't included in the original investigation (which he was... until he warned George Lutz if there was any sign of a hoax he would expose it, causing Lutz to end his association with Dr. Kaplan). However, neither of these juvenile accusations can change the veracity of the information he and his wife provided in their book.

I couldn't help but notice the comments of those who insisted "Kaplan was not a parapsychologist" (he was), "Stephen Kaplan did not hold a doctorate" (he did, from Pacific College) and "There are even a few spots in the book where, if you do your own investigative work, Kaplan just plain lies" (Examples, please?) never contributed any data of their own to address any specific claims by the Kaplans. One reviewer even announced, "Well, actually it has been proven that this book is the real hoax." (By whom?) It's a rather sad commentary on the mindset of the "true believer," who ignores the facts that debunk the Lutzes' lies and instead tries to smear the opposition, usually with the assistance of the load of malarkey provided about Amityville on the Warrens' website. It's not hard to see why there is such desperation by some to change the subject from the facts; throughout the many years this case has endured there has never been a single molecule of factual evidence to support the claims of the Lutzes. People have lived in this house with absolutely no paranormal activity (and no professional investigators of the paranormal other than the Warrens detected any as well) in the quarter-century that has passed since the Lutzes "fled." The original motive for their departure? Severe financial problems caused by their purchasing a house too expensive to afford, despite it's reduced price tag. Those financial problems motivated the Lutzes to release a number of obnoxiously false book sequels (still titled "A True Story," of course) - which all on their own stand as a perfect testament to the Lutzes' lack of credibility.

In summary, this book presents a wonderfully entertaining insight not just towards this case but the world of paranormal investigation, publishing and television. I think it will greatly appeal to those interested in the true story behind the "true story."

Rating:
Summary: Kaplan should have gotten a life
Review: First the positive. This book has some factual information. It illustrates some inconsistencies in Amityville Horror. There is little doubt that Jay Anson, Amityville Horror's Author, took some liberties with the Lutz's story in order to make AH a better book. However, Amityville Conspiracy reads as a 20 year obsession of Mr. Kaplan with the Lutz's because of a personal vendetta. Why did Kaplan feel the need to spend the last 20 years of his life as an adversary to George Lutz? Kaplan takes minor issues and extrapolates endlessly on them to prove his case. A case that really should have been dealt with via biopharmaceuticals and therapy between himself and a professional therapist. If you want the standard Amityville is a hoax propaganda researched over 2 decades. This is a good book. If you want Amityville analysis, Kaplan's OCD issue with the Lutz's pollutes what could have been an interesting case study on Amityville

Jill Leighton

Rating:
Summary: MOre oni his incompatence
Review: His photos are from the party he went to. He wasn't there. He was also no parapsychologist...he claims he has a doctorate...He also misrepresents several things(Ie that photo of Louraine Warren angry was after an ubsurd statement by him a fact he convieniantly leaves out). Also he makes a false statement about Ed Warren exorcising a doll of some sort(don't remember what he calls it). The legitimate case of Annabell he's actualy talking about was a raggedy anne doll not what he said and simply put ED WARREN DID NOT EXORCISE THE DOLL. As to him being a parapsychologist bah. Live on radio he couldn't answer even a basic question any real researcher could have(he can't name ONE SINGLE piece of equipment he uses on an "investigation" is pathetic any investigator should know there equipment and any real researcher does). In the end he was even forced to apologie the Warrens for his lies. The book is oppinion not fact and its all an endless attack on how bad the Warrens are. He hated them for cutting him out of what was the most important haunted house case of the 20th century. What could have made him famous instead left him as a mediocre hanger on that never ammounted to any thing. The Warren's actual history shows him up on so many levels. Mr. Warren unlike him is the only lay demonologist in the world recognized by the roman catholic church(Kaplin never clamed to know any thing about more then ghosties so was in no way qualified to investigate a case or an alleged case of infestation), have lectured through out the world, worked for the military(including investigating and lecturing at West Point) and have had a long list of famous cases so really had no need to stick to this hoax for fame where as no name Kaplin needed to latch on or be forgotten completely.

Rating:
Summary: A Review from one who knows all of the Parties involved
Review: I am a friend of Roxanne Kaplan and applaud this work that was long overdue. It is in a true sense a diary of events in the lives of the then unmarried Kaplans and how they came to be drawn in the drama of the Amityville "Horror". Suffice to say, the Lutzes cleared a huge amount of money (to later pay it out in lawsuit settlements) while Roxanne has to date only received her original sum for the sale of the book. She has to date never received a royalty from any sales of the book. The only people with an interest in keeping the Amityville Horror alive are those with financial interest in future books and movies - Lee Lutz, his script writer friend in Los Angeles and his step-son Chris. Anyone who dares to call the story a hoax is hounded and literally stalked in attempt to intimidate the outspoken person. New books proving the hoax are currently in the making and a new website with revealing photographs and legal documents will soon be appearing, further investigating what probably is the greatest ghost story hoax of the 20th century and beyond...

Rating:
Summary: A Review from one who knows all of the Parties involved
Review: I am a friend of Roxanne Kaplan and applaud this work that was long overdue. It is in a true sense a diary of events in the lives of the then unmarried Kaplans and how they came to be drawn in the drama of the Amityville "Horror". Suffice to say, the Lutzes cleared a huge amount of money (to later pay it out in lawsuit settlements) while Roxanne has to date only received her original sum for the sale of the book. She has to date never received a royalty from any sales of the book. The only people with an interest in keeping the Amityville Horror alive are those with financial interest in future books and movies - Lee Lutz, his script writer friend in Los Angeles and his step-son Chris. Anyone who dares to call the story a hoax is hounded and literally stalked in attempt to intimidate the outspoken person. New books proving the hoax are currently in the making and a new website with revealing photographs and legal documents will soon be appearing, further investigating what probably is the greatest ghost story hoax of the 20th century and beyond...

Rating:
Summary: A Review from a friend of the Family
Review: I am a friend of Roxanne Kaplan and very familiar with all of the principal persons in the Amityville hoax. This book is an excellent diary of the Kaplans involvement with the Lutzes and their story. Not appearing in the book is Steve Kaplan's polygraph on the F. Lee Bailey show "Lie Detector" in which he passes a polygraph regarding his involvement with the Lutzes and the house at 108 (new number) Ocean Avenue. To this day, Lee Lutz is still attempting to profit with the ghost story and blasts anyone who disagrees with him. While the Lutzes made over $300K from the first book alone by 1979 - according to his Federal Court testimony - Roxanne has only received her initial small advance and no further royalties from the sale of the book. She has not profited from the work. New books are on coming soon further exposing this hoax - post 1979 where the Kaplan book ends, further exposing the greatest haunted house hoax of the 20th Century...

Rating:
Summary: A Review from a friend of the Family
Review: I am a friend of Roxanne Kaplan and very familiar with all of the principal persons in the Amityville hoax. This book is an excellent diary of the Kaplans involvement with the Lutzes and their story. Not appearing in the book is Steve Kaplan's polygraph on the F. Lee Bailey show "Lie Detector" in which he passes a polygraph regarding his involvement with the Lutzes and the house at 108 (new number) Ocean Avenue. To this day, Lee Lutz is still attempting to profit with the ghost story and blasts anyone who disagrees with him. While the Lutzes made over $300K from the first book alone by 1979 - according to his Federal Court testimony - Roxanne has only received her initial small advance and no further royalties from the sale of the book. She has not profited from the work. New books are on coming soon further exposing this hoax - post 1979 where the Kaplan book ends, further exposing the greatest haunted house hoax of the 20th Century...

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book - I couldn't put it down!
Review: I purchased the book soon after it came out in 1995, but didn't have a chance to read it since I was getting my BS soon. When I finally did read it, I couldn't put the book down! I am interested in the paranormal and have seen Ed and Lorraine Warren at the University of Connecticut (they give a talk every Halloween), but never felt like they really had done much except tell a good ghost story, like we used to do in Boy Scouts around the campfire. Afterreading the book, I gave it to my Mom to read, and she did the same thing. I almost didn't get the book back. I can't wait for the 2nd printing so that I can get it for her! If you're interested in the paranormal and how to spot a hoax, get this book! PS - I saw thehouse recently while visiting my nearby grandparents on Long Island. The present occupants have done a good job making the house look great.