The Ghosts of Charleston

by Edward B. macy, Julian T. Buxton III

Charleston, SC is one of the most haunted cities in North America. Buxton and Macy tell chilling stories about the ghosts that inhabit Charleston's historical buildings. Timeless legends and recent accounts of spirits abound in this long-awaited book. Stories include: the Gentleman Ghost and Headless torso of the Battery Carriage House Inn, the despairing ghost in the beautiful Aiken-Rhett House, the tragic death of a young doctor and his return to a house on Church Street, and the ghost car on the imposing Cooper River Bridge, among many others. These are the stories behind the haunts of the Holy City.

Genres: Paranormal, Ghosts

162 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2000

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally do not like non-fiction. However Ed Macy is such a great storyteller. My favorite stories were the firehouse #8 and the gentleman ghost. Being a local to Charleston I've visited most of these places and this book gave me more history than I expected.

[Dennis Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a recent trip to Charleston I took the walking tour based on this book. The tour was great but the book is better by a mile. Even while standing just outside or in some of the haunted areas mentioned in this fine book one didn't get a feel for the story like you get while reading these stories. All of the hauntings are documented and have been seen by several people adding to the credibility of this work. Everyone who has ever been taken by the beauty and charm of this wonderful old city has to read this book. If you have never been to Charleston read this book and you will want to go there.

[MaryEve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book in the darkest room of my mother's house with my little sister. There's an 18 year gap between us. (same loving parents). Lil Sis loved ghost stories. She asked me to scare her. Happy to oblige her every whim, especially when it came to scaring and entertaining her ghoulish delights. She loved being frightened by ghost stories. I opened the collection of ghostly haunts and chose a tale. Watching my little sister for a reaction, she'd suffenly bolt out the room. She came back for more. Another time, while the entire Lewis clan sat in miserable heat without power, after a damaging hurricane, we lit one candle and Mom offered to read
She was good at adding an element of suspense.We had to stop and chose Dickens. Baby sister has reached the threshold of spooky ghosts.

I own this book because of my love for Charleston. There was a timr I persuaded myself to collect Carolina stories since we'd relocated an hour from Charleston.We had a comfortable home on the lake. My South Carolina affair bega.I wanted to dive into South Carolina history. The historical city has been on my bucket list. I'd walk the old streets admiring historical churches and brightly painted stone houses. I also searched for book shops. I chose a hoighty toighty book den. Plenty to select from. But I didn't see much that caughty my eye. I made hasty decisions, just grabbing any book that referenced Charleston. How does one curb a book obsession? If I was going to collect books, I needed to stick to one theme – the classics, books with snazzy covers, BOTM, Folio Editions, or I'd begin to make unwanted purchases. I have a nice collection of Jane Austen sets. Several copies of another fave, Great Expectations, Wuthering Heights, Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, and the Bronte sisters.
I have a set of Jane Austen novels gifted to me on Christmas Day, the full set of Austen novels released as Penguin Clothbound Editions. Love the cloth covers, delicate and beautiful Penguin editions. My favorite book, Great Expectations, is another hot collector appeal. Next I moved on to Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights clothbound edition. It was the final book I added to the Penguin Classic Clothbound series.I wanted the complete Bronte sisters set but began to pace myself. I was selected as the lucky winner of a set of Jane Austen Word Cloud Classics Collection. I quickly added Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Dracula, and Dr
Jekyll to the series .The last book to round out the series was Lady Chatterley's Lover. I began to focus on single editions once again again. The husband my began to complain about my massive, fast-growing library. Books on every surface. Ignoring his ignorance, I began to explain my need to express myself with custom covers. I left catalogs lying around, hoping he'd glance at my current interest. Now what's she buying. It was focused on an eye-catching set of Anne of Green Gables. I had to own it. Told myself it's all I've ever wanted.The collection is part of the Aladdin Hardcover Editions, May 2014, with an imprint of Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing Division. Turns out, the exquisite set was purchased by my charming husband, Mark. It sits front and center, nestled safely next to other classics, housed on my one of bedroom bookshelves.The words entertwine at the spine with delicate cursive artwork, each cover connected like a puzzle. It's a six book set. I went crazy after discovering Gweneth Powtrows book collection. I envy her personal library. It's bright and fancy. She has lots of pricey sets displayed in large white custom made bookshelves. She possess the same set of Anne of Green Gables. I wonder if Gwyneth reads books or just a another hopeless book collector like myself. Cheers to books, man. May you travel and adventure through books for a lifetime. May all your books smell heavenly. May you look upon your bookshelves with pride. May you never experience a ghostly Charleston haunting. Who knew this book would have me rambling about more books. Sorry. I get wrapped up, huh? Oh. We lived in South Carolina for six months and Hurricane Maria destroyed Puerto Rico. As a contractor of FEMA we thought it important to get there ASAP. Living in Paradise guess what I did. The Puerto Rico books began to appear on my shelves. Can't help myself. I loved Puerto Rico that much. In a wonderful, artsy farts book haven I began my obsession with Spanish editions. The first one added – a classic Bronte. I know. I have a major problem. I have been making progress. I haven't purchased a big haul in years. How's your book obsession doing? Is there a title that's repeated with a fresh new edition? My husband doesn't get the idea of owning two sets of Jane Austens with a helping of more. I can't explain it.

[Allie : pagesofallie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun Charleston history read!
I went on the walking ghost tour when I visited my sister in Charleston. When I knew there was an associated book, I had to go back the next day and buy it! I enjoyed exploring the different histories of Charleston and where ghosts may be lurking!

The only thing I didn't love is that some stories were super short and others were really long. I would have liked a more medium ground on them all.

[Lizzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The tour is far superior. This book is better written than many of the genre, but it still is often dull, and lacks the entertainment of a good, oral ghost story. Some of the stories are real duds, and for such a supposedly haunted city with a rich history, you’d think they could fill such a small book with better.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this book up last year after taking a ghost tour in Charleston that started at Buxton Books. Short little collection of many ghost stories of the area. Some were better than others. I enjoyed the mix of the town's history added in too.

[Michele Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and got a good glimpse of Charleston history in general, as well as the ghosts themselves. Bought this this day after taking a ghost tour in Charleston and this really enhanced it and kept my interest.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this and looking forward to exploring the area in person. Very well written with valid research in place. Could not read this at night...😯

[Amber Nodine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is less of a ghost story book and more of a tour of Charleston, however it is a good one day light read

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now I really want to go to Charleston!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it while I was in Charleston and while I had sadly had no ghost encounters, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It told the detailed stories of many places known to be haunted, and it was an entertaining and a fun read. While it wasn't the greatest ghost book ever written, many of the stories were quite spooky and enthralling. I'd recommend it to anyone who has an interest in paranormal things or history. I learned things about Charleston that I would not be able to find in a regular tour book.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book while vacationing in Charleston, SC. Unfortunately, I didn't encounter any ghosts while visiting so I had to settle for a book on ghosts. A good book to read if you are interested in learning about the history and supernatural events of Charleston, SC.

[Karyn Sederberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book to read about Charleston and ghosts. Love all ghost stories since I had an experience at Poogan's Porch in Charleston. Did not know it was haunted til I read the book. Spooky!!!

[James Anderson]

I recently went to Half-Price Books and bought this one and found after I got home that it is a signed First Edition, I am almost afraid to read it.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the stories very much.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was incredibly boring in this. A decent storytelling style would have made a world of difference in this one.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written, and gave some really great history on the area. Really wonderful to read while visiting the city!

[William Howle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very familiar with Charleston and enjoyed reading about places I have seen. Very fast read.