Ghosts: Washington's Most Famous Ghost Stories

by John H. Alexander

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Genres: Ghosts, Paranormal, Ghost Stories

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Tina Haigler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books reads more like really long newspaper articles than a scary book. I was hoping for some spookiness but this was more just interviews with eye witnesses and rehashed reports from old newspaper clippings. Nothing wrong with it, and it was an interesting read. I just prefer the scarier stuff. I like goosebumps with my ghostesses. This is a really good read for young teens and people who want to read about the paranormal but scare easily.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book - lots of legends / hauntings I haven't heard of before; learned a few historical things too.

[John Geddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my used book store hauls and has been sitting in the stack for awhile. I have to admit that I thought the first chapter (Georgetown) was a bit of a slog and I'd contemplated putting it aside. I'm glad I stuck with it, because I was really entertained by the rest of it. Just the non-supernatural history is fun. I'd never read anything about the Van Ness family, Octagon House or Francis Scott Key. Then you get into the wide variety of ghost stories, mostly sourced to newspaper accounts of the time. You've got all the White House Ghosts, the mystery cat in the Capital, Headless Horses on Rock Creek Parkway, a recurring vampire maiden from the 1850s and a ghost in the National Theatre.

All in all, it was a fun read that will make you want to go track down locations in town.

[Dennis Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part the author's writing style is very pleasant but the book does seem to drag a little on occasion. For example, the story about the Bladensburg dueling grounds seemed to go on and on with far too much history and far too few ghosts. This was the exception rather than the rule however and most of this book was highly enjoyable. There were even a few humorous moments such as the quip from Harry Truman as he wondered why anybody dead or alive would want to spend eternity in the White House. Truman by the way never hid his belief that the White House was haunted.

Add together a pleasant writing style, wonderful pictures and illustrations and a lot of legwork and even more research and you get a very solid and enjoyable ghost book. Be sure to read this book before any trip to Washington so that you can look for spooks and also try to avoid the Demon Cat of the Capitol.

[John Cantu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very interesting and the historical value is beneficial. I enjoyed the book if you like united states history and ghost stories you will really like this book. when I was reading this book I got hooked by the first couple pages. when I first got it I thought the book I thought it was going to be really dumb. I think that anyone that reads this book will enjoy it. because I really don't like reading books. so until next time enjoy the book.

[Ktbird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our nation's capitol has quite a bloody history - no wonder ghosts still frequent its famous buildings.

[KT · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book to read this time of year. It's a bit dry at times, but still entertaining. Plus, it's fun to see the old photos of DC.

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the weird and unexplained, and because I'm a native of the Washington, D.C. area, I was naturally drawn to "Ghosts: Washington's Most Famous Ghost Stories." Author John Alexander, who was a noted local D.J. at the time, produced a very cool and fascinating little book. The book goes into the history of ghosts in Washington, from famous spirits like Dolley Madison and Abraham Lincoln to the supposed curse surrounding the jutting rocks in the Potomac River that are known as "The Three Little Sisters." All those who like ghosts, or are interested in legends or unnatural phenonema in general, will love this book.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I scared myself silly reading this book before actually visiting the great city with my grandmother when I was 11. A few of the stories still stick with me today... I'll bet the demon cat has made a few appearances in the last decade.

[Leslie Ferrari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. Interesting stories but certainly not the best written book I've ever read.

[Aimee Danielle]

This book is about ghosts in Washington.This book talks about how ghosts surround every corner and it talks about famous deaths and how they still haunt Washington.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book.