A History of Ghosts: The True Story of Séances, Mediums, Ghosts, and Ghostbusters

by Peter H. Aykroyd

Peter Aykroyd spent his childhood watching his family’s parlor séances through the crack of a basement door. Here, for the first time, Aykroyd tells the strange and delightful story that inspired his son, Dan, to make the mega-hit, Ghostbusters. Part history, part family legend, A History of Ghosts starts in 1848 in upstate New York, where the spiritualist craze first began. Aykroyd introduces the reader to notable mediums while telling the story of the development of spiritualism, interweaving a personal history marked by a fascination with ghosts and spirits with the larger narrative about the role the paranormal has played in our culture. Such legendary figures as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini appear and vanish.
Everyone loves a good ghost story. Successful TV shows such as Medium and Ghost Hunters are proof that our national obsession with ghosts is here to stay. Millions of Americans believe in the paranormal—and even skeptics have heard a bump in the night and suspected it might be something supernatural.

Genres: Nonfiction, Paranormal, History, Horror, Ghosts, Supernatural, Memoir

237 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2009

Reviews

[Carolina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for campfire type ghost stories, based on true events that Aykroyd witnessed. But this book was just a history of spiritualism (90% of mediums suspected as frauds), and most circumstances are debunked in Mary Roach's Spook. If you are looking for a more fun ghost book, I recommend Ghost Hunting: True Stories of Unexplained Phenomena from The Atlantic Paranormal Society (SciFi's Ghosthunters).

[Barbm1020 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating story of several generations of a well-known and respected Canadian family's connection to the world of seances and otherworldly things. The origins of "Ghostbusters" is revealed. The author also gives a timeline of personalities and trends in the search for the unseen, along with notes, remarks, and an excellent bibliography on paranormal subjects. It's also quite entertaining. I was enthralled throughout a week of hot sticky summer nights, and recommend it highly.

[Ross Kearney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of spiritualism, a must for all bookshelves

[Dustin · Rating 2 out of 5]

So it's a mostly history book by Dan Aykroyd's dad, based mostly on the journals of Dan Aykroyd's great-grandfather. So there's that.
This book is firmly on the 'ghosts are real' side of things, validating claims and downplaying skepticism. It's a fair position to take (especially when several generations of your own family have grown up under the particular belief system.) It's also a pretty dry read, with a few interesting personal anecdotes sprinkled throughout what is basically a light history text.

Personally I'd skip this.

[Kate]

I had no idea until I read the preface that this is written by Dan Aykroyd's dad and tells the story of their family's long-time obsession with Spiritualism. Being such a big fan of Ghostbusters, I should have already been all over this...damn.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but a bit dry.

[Elżbieta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raczej historia spirytualistycznych przekrętów i naciągaczy, przy czym bardzo rzetelnie przedstawiona. Sporym minusem jest brak zdjęć. Kilka razy byłam tak ciekawa, że sama zaczęłam je wyszukiwać.
Autor ma duży dystans do opisywanych zjawisk, więc ta książka zdecydowanie nie sprawi, że ktoś uwierzy.
Najciekawsze dla mnie jak dzisiejszy ezobiznes pięknie wpisuje się w rozwój zagadnień i kontynuuje historię zgodnie z tendencjami.

[Amy L. Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a great overview of the history of Spiritualism, it's movers and shakes, it's skeptics and supports, and some of it's techniques and practices. There was a lose narrative surrounding the grandfather of author Peter Aykroyd as well as means of also providing anecdotal information and perceptions from a Spiritualist who lived during the time it was at it's peak. While I think this is a great resource for someone who is mildy interested in the movement, I would not call it particularly authoritative, but it is a good place to start for those interested in pursuing more indepth research, but who do not know exactly what aspect or personalities of Spiritualism to pursue.

Note on the reviewer: I hold a B.A. in history from Antioch College and a Master's in Library and Informaton Science from Kent State University. I am currently seeking to begin my professional career and am currently the author of a blog titled, "A Librarian's Life in Books" which can be found at http://librarianslifeinbooks.blogspot....

[Nancy Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting summary of the author's father's journals from 10+ years of hosting seances at his home in the 1920s-30s. There are also some sections on current day activities involving mediums and ghosts, including, of course, interviews with his sons, Dan and Peter, who are both active in the field of the paranormal. I felt it became rather tedious after awhile, because I couldn't really see the point of the seances. They were trying to become "advanced" enough to make a ghost materialize, but they spent most of their time communicating with "spirit guides" who were rather ridiculous in my opinion and gave no useful information. At least it convinced me that I do not wish to waste my time on such pursuits.

[Joshua Vine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read if you like the topic of ghosts and Dan Aykroyd's dad!

[Mrs_Bookies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duchy to bardzo interesująca książka dla osób zainteresowanych tematem seansów spirytystycznych, duchów i historii spirytyzmu. Powoli prowadzi nas przez historię tego zjawiska, przybliża sylwetki postaci, ale też tłumaczy trudniejsze stwierdzenia czy wyjaśnia pojęcia. Historię zaczynamy już na początku XX wieku, a kończymy na czasach współczesnych. Przechodzimy przez przypadki mniej lub bardziej prawdziwe, a także przez oszustwa i jawne kłamstwa. Próbujemy zrozumieć modę na spotkania z medium, kontakty ze zmarłymi i odkrywanie rodzinnych, dawno zapomnianych sekretów. Niezmiernie ciekawie czyta się o ludziach, którzy wierzyli czy to prawda. Że mogą porozmawiać z kimś kto już dawno odszedł. Że mogą ponownie usłyszeć głos ukochanej osoby, czy zapytać o niedopowiedziane sprawy. Ale czy to naprawdę jest nieprawda? Na to pytanie książka jednoznacznie nie odpowiada. Owszem wskazuje na oszustów i naciągaczy, ale nie daje nam jednej wersji zdarzeń. Historia spirytyzmu została przedstawiona trochę jak ówczesna moda na ten rodzaj zabawy, która przetrwała do naszych czasów. Bo dalej lubimy się bać, odkrywać nieznane i szukać odpowiedzi.

Nie ukrywam, że minimalnie się na niej zawiodłam. Liczyłam raczej na coś w stylu powieści fabularnej z elementami ,,eksperckich” wstawek, przypisów czy tabelek. Coś w stylu opowieści dziadka do wnuka, który snuje historię wyjaśniając co trudniejsze fragmenty. Tutaj jednak tych elementów fabularnych brak. Można więc powiedzieć, że to jest bardziej reportaż, książka popularnonaukowa, książka faktu niż powieść. Mamy w niej masę krótkich biografii, opisów konkretnych przypadków itp. Na końcu dostajemy historię, która była inspiracją dla powstania słynnych Pogromców Duchów.

Czy polecam? Sama nie wiem. Dla osób naprawdę zainteresowanych tematem będzie to świetne źródło wiedzy, ale z drugiej strony zdecydowanie nie jest to książka dla osób, które liczą na historie o duchach oraz straszne historie. Natomiast jeśli ciekawi Was historia duchów od drugiej strony to z pewnością nie będziecie się nudzić.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter H. Aykroyd, Father of actor/author Dan Aykroyd takes us on a journey through time regarding the popular craze of Spiritualism.

This book was a blend of tales of his family and actual historical facts. I have to admit that this book was very difficult reading. The reason being, you are in the chapter and then are referred to 'end notes' or 'comments.' I ended up with three page markers trying to just read the chapter.

So, I decided to just read the chapters and then the end notes, and finally the comments. That made the book more manageable. I personally wish that the book had been full of just the Ackroyd family experiences. That is what I thought the book was about.

I give it four stars as this book is a very complete book of persons involved, techniques used, and the historical dates of Spiritualism in the World. It covers, England, Brazil, and the United States mainly. Very complete and can be utilized as a reference book. The book also has a small amount of pictures.

Mr. Ackroyd I just wish you had written more of your own personal experiences. That was my favorite part.

[Reuxbot · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this, but it wasn't great. I felt like it would have been more interesting if Aykroyd had taken the approach of printing his grandfather's journal and using historical research to flesh it out. I'd have been happier to read about the subject from one family's perspective, whether I believed them or not. A man lived with his grandparents for 12 years, just so they could have seances once a week and there was no story there? Really?

So much of the book was spent on trying to justify his personal beliefs that there were times when I couldn't believe someone could be so wilfully naive. I understand spiritualism is a big part of his history, and being objective and critical about family (particularly family you have high esteem for) can be difficult. But so many of the people he was defending were unknown to him or his family, and many had been proven frauds. Aykroyd did attempt to sound impartial, but it was as unbelievable as the antics of the mediums.

Finally, if you want to read this for some insight to Ghostbusters or Dan Aykroyd's relationship with the supernatural, you should know his contribution is minimal, so keep that in mind.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an outstanding collection of paranormal and pseudo-paranormal histories. As a history book, there is much to absorb. It reveals the hoaxes and the would be truths of the Spiritualist movement from its inception til now. I am fascinated, for I am a believer in life after death. I am saddened because I feel communication with the dead is possible, and here is evidence of so many tricksters. Thankfully, there is evidence of other seekers with strength of ethics and heart. By reading this book, I learned a lot about events, people, and places that I didn't know about before. I am thankful for those who went before us experimenting and journaling. I wanted more drama in the telling of tales, but it was absolutely there between the lines. There are a few stories included about the Aykroyd family that amazed me and even warmed my heart. I am thankful for their willingness to share this history and their own part in it. Recording my own journey might be a more important step than I have previously thought. I am inspired to begin.

[Irka · Rating 2 out of 5]

English version below. Zacznijmy od krytyki wydania - porażająca ilość literówek, wręcz zniechęcająca.
Jeśli zaś mowa o samych "Duchach" to niewiele w nich duchów, sporo o mediach lub oszustach czy iluzjonistach. Do przeczytania ale raczej " w sam raz na raz". "Pogromców duchów" też jest tu mało.

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Let's start with the criticism of polish edition - a staggering amount of typos, even discouraging.
As for the "Ghosts" themselves, there aren't many ghosts in this book, there is a lot about the media or cheaters or illusionists. To read, but rather "just one time". There aren't many "Ghostbusters" movie story here either.

[Anup Sinha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is more like an encyclopedia than a narrative history of ghosts. It is most thorough and goes into great detail over many of the paranormal specialists of the last three centuries.

For me, it ended up being a fast read because I skimmed through a lot of detail and focused on the paragraphs and stories that struck a chord.

I was drawn to the book both by my own curiosity on the afterlife and my love for Ghostbusters. As this book is written by Dan Aykroyd’s father, it’s a pretty good glimpse of where he came from.

[Lord Beardsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Aykroyd family is a fascinating bunch of really sweet Canadian Spiritualists and paranormal enthusiasts. If you're interested in the fields of paranormal research, Spiritualism, and different methodologies of communicating with the beyond from a historical perspective, I definitely recommend this. This is a very comprehensive overview of the late 19th/20th century draw to communication with the dead, told in a conversational, humorous adorable dad way from Dan Aykroyd's dad! Awww!

[Ann Straight · Rating 3 out of 5]

History of Spiritualism related to Seances. Interesting stuff tumbled together. Lots of Con-men. Lots of belief in spite of proven fraud. Lots of questions where fraud was not found. A common question asked of the spirits, "Have you seen God?" The answer given: "no" So if the spirits are real, are they the ones tied to the earth and are others in heaven? More questions and a choppy outline of old questions and quest for answers.

[Stephanie Mccallum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt that the title of this book was misleading. While it claims to be a history of Ghosts with an emphasis on mediums, seances, and ghostbusters, it was really an anecdotal collection of the author's family's experiences with mediums. I think that perhaps only a few pages of the entire book covered anything besides mediums. The book itself was quite interesting and I felt the attention to science and evidence was strong.

[Laura Brose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book written by someone who grew up in a household where his parents and their peers practiced spiritualism, holding regular seances. This is a somewhat unusual point of view, and provides some understanding about the inspiration behind Ghostbusters. A respectful look at certain beliefs about the spirit world that doesn't dismiss them as "woo-woo" but doesn't take them as gospel either.

[Paulette Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of the Spiritualist movement and paranormal research throughout the centuries. Also fun to hear about the real-life inspiration behind Ghostbusters — one of my favorite ‘80s movies. There’s nothing cheesy about this book. It’s an earnest and engaging look at mediums, seances, and paranormal investigation in history.

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t actually read the book I looked it over for reference purposes. It is a very dry book not at all what I thought it would be but it was informative. I did lol at the number of times crazy shit occurred but their were no reliable witnesses only the book would say, unfortunately the so and so society or investigator wasn’t there that day😂

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the contributions of the writer and his two famous sons regarding spiritualism but mostly this book dealt with the history of mediums and seances. Good information but would have enjoyed more personal anecdotes about their experiences.

[Darren Sapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

The synopsis is a bit misleading. You won't find a lot of ghost or haunting stories but more of a parapsychology overview of the history of mediums, seances, etc. It's interesting, just not what I was expecting.

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it but it was very ..... heavy

[Kasey Almes · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a little dry, but interesting none the less. I especially liked seeing where the idea of Ghostbusters came from.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative, but a bit dry.

[Maja · Rating 2 out of 5]

Czytając to czułam się jakbym czytała Pana Tadeusza. Książka momentami ciekawa, przeważnie nudna. Rozdziały są zbyt długie.

[Brook N Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this more than once and find it really fascinating.

[Brian Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic overview of the spiritualism movement in Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the U.S. It drags a little bit through the middle, but is a good resource for anyone researching the paranormal.