Ghosts! Washington Revisited: The Ghostlore of the Nation's Capitol

by John H. Alexander

A reporter for the capitol's Washington Star newspaper wrote in 1891, "Washington is the greatest town for ghosts in this country." John Alexander has collected and preserved tales about the famous and infamous of the nation's capitol who still revisit the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and many other buildings and homes said to be haunted. Ghosts! Washington Revisited is a revised and updated edition of Ghosts! Washington's Most Famous Ghost Stories. Among these tales are ghost stories from neighboring Virginia and Maryland communities including Mount Vernon, Arlington, Alexandria, Manassas, and the Blandensburg dueling grounds. These spectral tales are accomopanied by over 180 images of haunted sites and famous individuals said to return to Washington long after departing this life.

Genres: Ghost Stories, Ghosts

128 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1998

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is more history than ghosts here, but that's fine. The book is split into sections and includes parts on the Hope Diamond and Lincoln. At times the editing could be better, but the book wasn't boring. Not as good L.B. Taylor Jr, though. Still, worth a read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book for my trip to Washington, DC. Unfortunately, weight limits on luggage prevented me from taking it on the trip.

I began reading it upon my return and I still found it interesting. I was now familiar with DC and I understood the locations better. I'd visited surprisingly few of the locations in the book; if/when I next go to DC, I'll have new places to go. (The maps at the end will be very helpful.)

From the get-go, I've disliked the cover page. Although I could understand the ghostly/burning building on the cover, I was confused by the face. What the heck is that? What does it pertain to? The answer wasn't provided until near the end of the book and I still wonder how that statue got rendered so horribly and then placed on the cover.

The stories are a mix of first-person accounts, newspaper accounts, third-hand accounts, and rumors and legends. Some of the stories left me with more questions. Some stories seemed just that: stories. But some were intriguing.

I'd recommend this book for those who enjoy a blending of fact with fiction. There's a lot of real history in this book about ghosts.

[Shek · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you love ghosts, you'll be indifferent to this boring book about ghosts! You might still read it, though!

[Caree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and re-read this book at least 3-5 times. I built my trips to DC with my grandfather around this book. Love ghostly tales!

[Danna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about the things that go bump in the night in our Nation's Capitol. I especially enjoyed the historical stories and the story behind the Hope Diamond.