Ghost Hunting: How to Investigate the Paranormal

Rating:
Summary: Book makes ghosts a boring subject
Review: I have always liked ghost stories and enjoy researching such tales, photographing the locations, and writing about them, but Auerbach and others like him have just about succeeded in making ghosts one of the most boring subjects on earth. Modern ghost hunters claim their methods are scientific. They aren't. No one can prove, or disprove, the existence of the spirit world and most of those involved in attempting to do so are laughable, proudly displaying as proof, photos of "orbs," ectoplasm and vortices, which are nothing more than light reflections off tiny particles and various objects in close proximity to the camera lens.

Additionally, Auerbach's writing style leaves a lot to be desired. For example, he makes references to "living folks" and "living people." Why not just say the living? Either the author lacks basic writing skills or he is writing for an audience he believes will have difficulty understanding. I also agree with another reviewer's observations that Auerbach assumes facts not in evidence and comes across as arrogant

Finally, to those who believe in ghosts, no amount of "scientific" evidence to the contrary will convince them otherwise. On the other hand, the only way a nonbeliever will ever acknowledge the existence of ghosts is if he/she has a personal encounter with an otherworldly being. Accordingly, "ghost hunting" is a waste of time and money.


Rating:
Summary: Very Dry Read.
Review: I understand that Mr. Auerbach is quite versed in his field and highly respected amongst his peers however this book falls short.

During the first few chapters I got the impression that Mr. Auerbach just banged them out over the course of an hour or two. It came across as very impersonal and at some points bordered on arrogant.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that what he is presenting is wrong. It's just he has a very simplistic approach to his facts. Also he leaves little to no room for other explanations. For example, the small section I read on the Ouija board more put it into the light of "Subconscious manipulation" and disregarded any other notion that it is anything else but a toy. Chalking up all the bad experiences that so many people have experienced as "Coincidence" or them searching for or creating problems for them selves. That to me pretty much sealed it. Granted that is correct to a point but it is not the final say in the subject as he would have you believe. He is so convinced of his own expertise that if it doesn't fit his mold or ideas it's just simply wrong (my impression).

Now I'm not some New-Age moron, neither do I believe in fairies and dragons. I fancy my self a scientist and a student, with an open mind. However this book is written in more of a presentational manner of explaining 100% all paranormal phenomenon. As if it has all the answers....It doesn't.

I bought three books on the subject at the same time and this was the one I was really looking forward to the most but I must say that I am quite disappointed.

Lots of assumed facts presented in a very rushed manner.

Some aspects of "Close mindedness" are very apparent.

He conveys a sense of "No other explanation so I am right."

He makes up your mind for you.

I'm sure he has experienced things that most of us never will, BUT in this field it is still for the most part theories and speculation. His grand experiences doesn't make him a good writer either.

He has not cracked the code, other wise he would have been on every cover of ever magazine. On every news show and be worth BILLIONS. By reading this, you'd think he had.

I had to put it down half way through.

I started reading Southalls book and talk about a breath of fresh air. I will keep you posted as I delve deeper, but the first couple of chapters are very well written and have been quite enjoyable to read.

If you are really interested in the subject, do your self a favor and get more then one book. The murkiness of this field requires a lot of cross-referencing, get as many pieces to the puzzle as you can but never force them together.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful addition to any ghost hunter's library
Review: This is an absolutely fabulous book! It explains in clear and simple terms the basics of parapsychology, what kind of techniques and equipment are useful in ghostbusting, and what questions should be asked (both privately and of your colleagues and witnesses), all delightfully illustrated. What I like best is how well it lays out the do's and don'ts to keep the beginner on the right track and out of trouble. It's a must-have book for anyone with an interest in ghost hunting by one of the true leading experts in the field!