The Science of Ghosts

by Joe Nickell

McEneaney, Bonnie. 2010. Messages: Signs, Visits, and Premonitions from Loved Ones Lost on 9/11. New York: William Morrow.

  Nickell, Joe. 1999. “Paranormal Lincoln.” Skeptical Inquirer 23, no. 3 (May/June): 16–19.

  ———. 2001. “Phantoms, Frauds, or Fantasies?” In Hauntings and Poltergeists: Multidisciplinary Perspectives, edited by James Houran and Rense Lange. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, pp. 214–23.

  ———. 2010. “John Edward: Spirit Huckster.” Skeptical Inquirer 34, no. 2 (March/April): 17–18.

  Nickell, Joe, and John F. Fischer. 1999. Crime Science: Methods of Forensic Detection. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky.

  Wilson, Sheryl C., and Theodore X. Barber. 1983. “The Fantasy-Prone Personality: Implications for Understanding Imagery, Hypnosis, and Parapsychological Phenomena.” In Imagery, Current Theory, Research and Application, edited by Anees A. Sheikh. New York: Wiley, pp. 340–90.

  CHAPTER 29. SYNCHRONICITIES

  Amatuzio, Janis. 2002. Forever Ours: A Forensic Pathologist's Perspective on Immortality and Living, a Collection of Real-Life Stories. Minneapolis: Midwest Forensic Pathology.

  ———. 2006. Beyond Knowing: Mysteries and Messages of Death and Life from a Forensic Pathologist. Novato, CA: New World Library.

  Falk, Ruma. 1981. “On Coincidences.” Skeptical Inquirer 6, no. 2 (Winter): 24–25.

  Hansel, C. E. M. 1966. ESP: A Scientific Evaluation. New York: Scribner.

  Hill, Myron G., Howard M. Rossen, and Wilton S. Sogg. 1978. Evidence. St. Paul, MN: West.

  Jung, C. G. 1960. “Synchronicity: An Acausal Connecting Principle.” In The Collected Works of C. G. Jung, edited by Sir Herbert Read et al. Bollingen Series, no. 20. New York: Pantheon, pp. 418–519.

  Nickell, Joe. 2004. The Mystery Chronicles: More Real-Life X-Files. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky.

  ———. 2006. “Headless Ghosts I Have Known,” Skeptical Briefs 16, no. 4 (December): 2–4.

  Nickell, Joe, and John F. Fischer. 1999. Crime Science: Methods of Forensic Detection. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky.

  Orloff, Judith. 2000. Dr. Judith Orloff's Guide to Intuitive Healing. New York: Times Books.

  Wilson, Sheryl C., and Theodore X. Barber. 1983. “The Fantasy-Prone Personality: Implications for Understanding Imagery, Hypnosis, and Parapsychological Phenomena.” In Imagery, Current Theory, Research and Application, edited by Anees A. Sheikh. New York: Wiley, pp. 340–90.

  CHAPTER 30. JOHN EDWARD

  Ballard, Chris. 2001. “Oprah of the Other Side.” New York Times Magazine, July 29, pp. 38–41.

  Edward, John. 1999. One Last Time. New York: Berkeley Books.

  ———. 2001. Crossing Over: The Stories behind the Stories. San Diego, CA: Jodere Group.

  Gibson, Walter B. 1977. The Original Houdini Scrapbook. New York: Corwin/Sterling.

  Jaroff, Leon. 2001. “Talking to the Dead.” Time, March 5, p. 52.

  Nickell, Joe. 1998. “Investigating Spirit Communications.” Skeptical Briefs 8, no. 3 (September): 5–6.

  ———. 2001. “John Edward: Hustling the Bereaved.” Skeptical Inquirer 25, no. 6 (November/December): 19–22.

  CHAPTER 31. THE REAL “GHOST WHISPERER”

  Kachuba, John. 2007. Ghosthunters: On the Trail of Mediums, Dowsers, Spirit Seekers, and Other Investigators of America's Paranormal World. Franklin Lakes, NJ: New Page Books.

  Nickell, Joe. 1995. Entities: Angels, Spirits, Demons, and Other Alien Beings. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.

  ———. 2001. Real-Life X-Files: Investigating the Paranormal. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky.

  ———. 2008a. “Catching Ghosts.” Skeptical Briefs 18, no. 2 (June): 4–6.

  ———. 2008b. “Photoghosts: Images of the Spirit Realm?” Skeptical Inquirer 32, no. 4 (July/August): 54–56.

  Severy, Merle, ed. 1971. Great Religions of the World. Washington, DC: National Geographic Society.

  Stravinskas, Peter M. J. 2002. Catholic Dictionary. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor.

  Tyrrell, G. N. M. 1973. Apparitions. London: Society for Psychical Research.

  Wilson, Sheryl C., and Theodore X. Barber. 1983. “The Fantasy-Prone Personality: Implications for Understanding Imagery, Hypnosis, and Parapsychological Phenomena.” In Imagery, Current Theory, Research and Application, edited by Anees A. Sheikh. New York: Wiley, pp. 340–90.

  Winkowski, Mary Ann. 2000. As Alive, So Dead: Investigating the Paranormal. Avon Lake, OH: Graveworm.

  ———. 2007. When Ghosts Speak: Understanding the World of Earthbound Spirits. New York: Grand Central.

  CHAPTER 32. SYLVIA BROWNE

  Browne, Sylvia. 2003. Visits from the Afterlife. New York: New American Library.

  ———. 2005. Secrets & Mysteries of the World. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House.

  Browne, Sylvia, and Antoinette May. 1998. Adventures of a Psychic. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House.

  Browne, Sylvia, with Lindsay Harrison. 1999. The Other Side and Back. New York: Dutton.

  Lancaster, Robert S. 2007a. “Sightings: Ghost of Brookdale Lodge.” Stop Sylvia Browne. http://www.stopsylvia.com/articles/sightings_ghostofbrookdalelodge.shtml (accessed November 27, 2007).

  ———. 2007b. “Montel: Shawn Hornbeck Reading.” Stop Sylvia Browne. http://www.stopsylvia.com/articles/montel_shawnhornbeck.shtml (accessed February 1, 2007).

  ———.2009. “AC360: Sylvia Browne's Best Evidence.” Stop Sylvia Browne. http://www.stopsylvia.com/articles/ac360_brownesbestevidence.shtml (accessed March 5, 2009).

  Nickell, Joe, ed. 1994. Psychic Sleuths. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.

  ———. 2001. Real-Life X-Files. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky.

  ———. 2009. “Levy Case a Psychic Failure.” Investigative Briefs with Joe Nickell. Center for Inquiry. March 10. http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blogs/show/levy_case_a_psychic_failure/ (accessed February 28, 2012).

  Rogers, Paul. 1991. “Dislodging the Ghosts? Eerie Events at Hotel Rattle Owners, Lead to ‘Exorcism.’” San Jose Mercury News, January 4.

  Stollznow, Karen. 2007. “The Paranormal Conference.” Skeptic (Winter): 19–23.

  Wilson, Sheryl C., and Theodore X. Barber. 1983. “The Fantasy-Prone Personality: Implications for Understanding Imagery, Hypnosis, and Parapsychological Phenomena.” In Imagery, Current Theory, Research and Application, edited by Anees A. Sheikh. New York: Wiley, pp. 340–90.

  CHAPTER 33. GHOST HUNTING

  Archer, Fred. 1969. Crime and the Psychic World. New York: William Morrow.

  Auerbach, Loyd. 1986. ESP, Hauntings, and Poltergeists: A Parapsychologist's Handbook. New York: Warner Books.

  Baker, Robert A., and Joe Nickell. 1992. Missing Pieces: How to Investigate Ghosts, UFOs, Psychics, and Other Mysteries. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.

  Berger, Arthur S., and Joyce Berger. 1991. The Encyclopedia of Parapsychology and Psychical Research. New York: Paragon House.

  Christopher, Milbourne. 1970. ESP, Seers, and Psychics: What the Occult Really Is. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell.

  Cochran, Tracy. 1988. “The Real Ghostbusters.” OMNI 10, no. 11 (August): 35, 78–83. Cited in Baker and Nickell 1992, 123–24 (above).

  Cornell, Tony. 2002. Investigating the Paranormal. New York: Helix.

  Dingwall, Eric J., Kathleen M. Goldney, and Trevor H. Hall. 1956. The Haunting of Borley Rectory. London: Gerald Duckworth.

  Edison, Thomas. 1948. The Diary and Sundry Observations of Thomas Alva Edison, edited by Dagobert D. Runes. New York: Philosophical Library.

  Edwards, Emily. 2001. “A Filmography.” In Hauntings and Poltergeists: Multidisciplinary Perspectives, edited by James Houran and Rense Lange. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, pp. 100–19.

  Efthimiou, Costas J., and Sohan Gandhi. 2007. “Cinema Fiction vs. Physics Reality.” Skeptical Inquirer 31, no. 4 (July/August): 27–34.

  Gardner, Martin. 1996. “Thomas Edison, Paranormalist.” Skeptical Inquirer 20, no. 4 (July/August): 9–12.
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  “Ghost Hunters.” 2007. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunters (accessed October 1, 2007).

  Godwin, John. 1972. Occult America. New York: Doubleday.

  Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. 2000. The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits. 2nd ed. New York: Checkmark Books.

  “Haunted Lives.” 2007. http://www.tv.com/shows/haunted-lives/ (accessed October 20, 2007).

  Holzer, Hans. 1963. Ghost Hunter. New York: Bobbs-Merrill.

  ———. 1979. Star Ghosts. New York: Leisure Books.

  ———. 1991. America's Haunted Houses. Stamford, CT: Longmeadow.

  Hope, Valerie, and Maurice Townsend. 1999. The Paranormal Investigator's Handbook. London: Collins & Brown. “In Search Of…” 2007. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Search_of…_(TV_series) (accessed November 27, 2007).

  Kaye, Marvin. 1990. Haunted America. New York: Doubleday.

  Keene, Paul, Gemma Bradley-Stevenson, and Bryan Saunders. 2006. The Ghost Chaser Chronicles. New York: Barnes & Noble.

  Lancaster, Robert S. 2007. “Sightings: Ghost of Brookdale Lodge.” Stop Sylvia Browne. http://www.stopsylvia.com/articles/sightings_ghostofbrookdalelodge.shtml (accessed November 27, 2007).

  Miller, Paul Richard. 1990. “Chicago: The World's Biggest Ghost Town. Fate, November, pp. 53–68.

  Morris, Richard. 2006. Harry Price: The Psychic Detective. Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK: Sutton.

  Nickell, Joe. 1994. Camera Clues: A Handbook for Photographic Investigation. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky.

  ———. 2001a. “Phantoms, Frauds, or Fantasies?” In Hauntings and Poltergeists: Multidisciplinary Perspectives, edited by James Houran and Rense Lange. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, pp. 214–23.

  ———. 2001b. Real-Life X-Files. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky.

  ———. 2006a. “Ghost Hunters.” Skeptical Inquirer 30, no. 5 (September/October): 23–26.

  ———. 2006b. “Death of a Demonologist: Ed Warren Dead at 79.” Skeptical Inquirer 30, no. 6 (November/December): 23–26.

  ———. 2007. Adventures in Paranormal Investigation. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky.

  Peterson, Terrence. 1987. “Spiricom or Spiricon?” Fate, January.

  Price, Harry. 1936. Confessions of a Ghost-Hunter. London: Putnam.

  ———. 1940. The Most Haunted House in England: Ten Years’ Investigation of Borley Rectory. London: Longmans Green.

  Raudive, Konstantin. 1971. Breakthrough: An Amazing Experiment in Electronic Communication with the Dead. New York: Taplinger.

  Rogo, D. Scott. 1978. The Haunted House Handbook. New York: Grossett & Dunlap.

  Roland, Paul. 2007. The Complete Book of Ghosts. London: Chartwell Books.

  “The Scariest Places on Earth.” 2007. IMDb. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280312/fullcredits (accessed October 30, 2007).

  Scott, Beth, and Michael Norman. 1985. Haunted Heartland: True Ghost Stories from the American Midwest. New York: Dorset.

  “The Search for Haunted Hollywood.” 2007. Turner Classic Movies. http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/476861/Search-For-Haunted-Hollywood-The/ (accessed November 27, 2007).

  Smith, Susy. 1970. Ghosts around the House. New York: World.

  Southall, Richard. 2003. How to Be a Ghost Hunter. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn.

  Underwood, Peter. 1998. Ghosts and How to See Them. London: Brockhampton.

  Warren, Ed, and Lorraine Warren, with Robert David Chase. 1989. Ghost Hunters: True Stories from the World's Most Famous Demonologists. New York: St. Martin's.

  Warren, Joshua. 2003. How to Hunt Ghosts: A Practical Guide. New York: Simon & Schuster.

  Whitedove, Michelle. 2003. Ghost Stalker: A Psychic Medium Visits America's Most Haunted Sites. Ft. Lauderdale, FL: Whitedove.

  Wilson, Ian. 1995. In Search of Ghosts. London: Headline.

  CHAPTER 34. GHOST HUNTERS

  Baker, Robert A. 1992. “Investigating Ghosts, Haunted Places and Things, Poltergeists, and Other Nonentities.” Chap. 4 in Baker and Nickell 1992, pp. 113–51 (below).

  Baker, Robert A., and Joe Nickell. 1992. Missing Pieces: How to Investigate Ghosts, UFOs, Psychics, and Other Mysteries. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.

  Belanger, Jeff. 2005. Encyclopedia of Haunted Places: Ghostly Locales from around the World. Franklin Lakes, NJ: New Page Books.

  Dingwall, Eric J., Kathleen M. Goldney, and Trevor H. Hall. 1956. The Haunting of Borley Rectory. London: Gerald Duckworth.

  Finucane, R. C. 1984. Appearances of the Dead: A Cultural History of Ghosts. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.

  ———. 2001. “Historical Introduction.” In Hauntings and Poltergeists: Multidisciplinary Perspectives, edited by James Houran and Rense Lange. Jefferson, NC: McFarland.

  Flynn, Thomas. 2006. Personal communication, January 12.

  Fujifilm. 2006. “What's Gone Wrong?” http://www.home.fujifilm.com/products/digital/shooting/flash.html (accessed January 17, 2006).

  Gardner, Martin. 1996. “Thomas Edison, Paranormalist.” Skeptical Inquirer 20, no. 4 (July/August): 9–12.

  Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. 2000. The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits. 2nd ed. New York: Checkmark Books.

  Hauck, Dennis William. 1996. Haunted Places: The National Directory. New York: Penguin.

  ———. 2000. The International Directory of Haunted Places. New York: Penguin.

  Holzer, Hans. 1991. America's Haunted Houses. Stamford, CN: Longmeadow.

  Nickell, Joe. 1994. Camera Clues: A Handbook for Photographic Investigation. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky.

  ———. 1995. Entities: Angels, Spirits, Demons, and Other Alien Beings. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.

  ———. 1996. “Ghost Photos.” Skeptical Inquirer 20, no. 4 (July/August): 13–14.

  ———. 2000. “Haunted Inns.” Skeptical Inquirer 24, no. 5 (September/October): 17–21.

  ———. 2002. “Circular Reasoning: The ‘Mystery’ of Crop Circles and Their ‘Orbs’ of Light.” Skeptical Inquirer 26, no. 5 (September/October): 17–19.

  ———. 2004. “Rorschach Icons.” Skeptical Inquirer 28, no. 6 (November/ December): 15–17.

  “Orbs—The Skeptical Approach.” 2006. http://www.btinternet.com/~dr_paul_lee/orbs.htm (accessed January 17, 2006).

  Price, Harry. 1940. The Most Haunted House in England: Ten Years’ Investigation of Borley Rectory. London: Longmans Green.

  Prol, Elbertus. 1993. Interview by Joe Nickell, June 12.

  Warren, Joshua P. 2003. How to Hunt Ghosts. New York: Simon & Schuster.

  CHAPTER 35. SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS VS. GHOST HUNTERS

  Elizabeth, Norma, and Bruce Roberts. 1999. Lighthouse Ghosts: 13 Bona Fide Apparitions Standing Watch over America's Shores. Birmingham, AL: Crane Hill.

  Flynn, Thomas. 2009. Video analysis and interview by Joe Nickell, September 1.

  Hawes, Jason, and Grant Wilson, with Michael Jan Friedman. 2007. Ghost Hunting: True Stories of Unexplained Phenomena from the Atlantic Paranormal Society. New York: Pocket Books.

  Hibbard, James. 2005. “In Search of Ghost Stories.” TelevisionWeek, August 22, pp. 1, 19.

  Nickell, Joe. 2000. “Haunted Inns.” Skeptical Inquirer 24, no. 5 (September/ October): 17–21.

  ———. 2002. “Winchester Mystery House.” Skeptical Inquirer 26, no. 5 (September/ October): 20–23.

  ———. 2003. “Haunted Plantation.” Skeptical Inquirer 27, no. 5 (September/ October): 12–15.

  ———. 2006. “Ghost Hunters.” Skeptical Inquirer 30, no. 5 (September/October): 23–26.

  ———. 2008. “Lighthouse Specters.” Skeptical Inquirer 32, no. 5 (September/ October): 22–25.

  “St. Augustine Lighthouse.” 2006. Ghost Hunters Season Two: Part 2. DVD.

  Thompson, William O. 1998. Lighthouse Legends and Hauntings. Kennebunk, ME: 'scapes Me.

  Vercillo, Kathryn. 2008. Ghosts of Alcatraz. Atglen, PA: Schiffer.

  CHAPTER 36. GHOST HUSTLING IN CONNECTICUT
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  Altemus, Kathy. 1988–1992. Personal journal, copy provided to Joe Nickell, with cover letter of January 16, 1993.

  Carpenter, Bryant. 1988. “Southington Haunting Is Daunting.” Record-Journal (Meriden, CT), August 13.

  Corica, Susan, and Glenn Smith. 1988a. “An Unworldly Being.” Herald Extra (New Britain, CT), August 15.

  ———. 1988b. “Haunted House Claim Clouded by Tenant, Landlord Dispute.” Herald Extra(New Britain, CT), August 29.

  Curran, Robert, with Jack Smurl, Janet Smurl, Ed Warren, and Lorraine Warren. 1988. The Haunted: One Family's Nightmare. New York: St. Martin's.

  DiMauro, Ken, and Jeanne Starmack. 1989. “Demonic Presence Said to Plague Family.” Observer, August 18.

  Duckett, Jodi. 1991. Morning Call (Allentown, PA), November 5, 1991.

  “I Was Raped by a Ghost.” 1992. Sally Jessy Raphael show transcript (no. 1084), Multimedia Entertainment, October 30.

  Nickell, Joe. 1995. Entities: Angels, Spirits, Demons, and Other Alien Beings. Amherst, New York: Prometheus Books.

  ———. 2006. “Death of a Demonologist: Ed Warren Dead at 79.” Skeptical Inquirer 30, no. 6 (November/December): 8.

  “Ray Garton.” 2009. Wikipedia. http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Garton (accessed February 27, 2009).

  Rivard, Kathy. 1988. “Southington Family Spooked by House.” Bristol Press (Bristol, CT), August 11.

  Schmidt, Karen. 1992. “Couple Sees Ghost; Skeptics See through It.” Hartford Courant, October 30.

  Warren, Ed, Lorraine Warren, Al Snedeker, and Carmen Snedeker, with Ray Garton. 1992. In a Dark Place: The Story of a True Haunting. New York: Villard Books.

  CHAPTER 37. GHOST FORENSICS

  Baker, Robert A. and Joe Nickell. 1992. Missing Pieces: How to Investigate Ghosts, UFOs, Psychics, and Other Mysteries. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.

  Keene, M. Lamar, and Allen Spraggett. (1976.) 1997. The Psychic Mafia. Reprint, Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.

  Nickell, Joe. 1988. Secrets of the Supernatural. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.

  ———. 1995. Entities: Angels, Spirits, Demons, and Other Alien Beings. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.

  ———. 2001. Real-Life X-Files: Investigating the Paranormal. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.

  Nickell, Joe, and John F. Fischer. 1999. Crime Science: Methods of Forensic Detection. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky.