Investigating the Unexplained

by Melvin Harris

Book by Harris, Melvin

Genres: Paranormal, Nonfiction

1000 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1986

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

As per Author's request Chapters 2 and 3, are best read in that order, as well as with 12 and 13 and with Chapters 16, 17 and 18.
* Chapters indicate that further background is provided in author's Notes at end of book.

*1. The Amityville Horror-Mongers - 4 Stars (see Notes p. 201)
2. The Celestial Bus-Conductors - 3.5 Stars
3. The Dark Fiddler - 4 Stars
*4. The Clueless Crime-Busters - 4 Stars (see Notes P. 202)
5. The Yorkshire Ripper and the Psychic Circus - 4.5 Stars
*6. The Murderer and the Medium - 4 Stars (see Notes p. 204)
*7. I Captured Jack the Ripper! - 4 Stars (see Notes P. 207)
8. The Unquiet Grave of Prince Louis - 4 Stars
9. Regiment of the Damned? - 4 Stars
*10. The Angels with Newspaper Wings - 4 Stars (see Notes p. 209)
11. The Ghost With Wet Boots - 4 Stars
*12. Death Beckons Lord Dufferin! - 4 Stars (see Notes p. 213)
13. Once More Into the Lift, Dear Friends - 4 Stars
14. Cry "Halt" to Hitler! - 4 Stars
*15. Dr. Soal's Mr. Hyde - 3 Stars (see Notes p. 215)
*16. The World Shall Hear from Me Again! - 2.5 Stars (see Notes p. 217)
*17. The Dark Vaults of the Mind - 4 Stars (see Notes p. 217)
*18. Solving the Bloxham Mystery - 4 Stars (see Notes p. 217)
*19. A Lever Can Move the World! - 4 Stars (see Notes p. 221)
20. O Fabulous Flights of Fancy! - 3 Stars
21. The Judge Who Juggled with Facts - 3.5 Stars
22. Meet Me At Midnight! - 3.5 Stars

[Charles Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A skeptic who has done his homework recounts a good number of "true" stories of ghostly and paranormal phenomena; in many cases he traces their origins to ephemeral fictitious tales and short stories that somehow got passed off as true, mistakes or brazen hoaxes. Sorry, if you saddoes really believed every word of the Amityville Horror. I write about the paranormal as well; hope I haven't let too much silliness slip through masquerading as fact. Its enough to ruin one's faith in Ripley's Believe It Or Not.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this is a decent debunking book. The author investigates each supposed paranormal case fairly extensively, focusing primarily on mediums and psychics. The accounts are informative and interesting. What prevents the book from being 4 or 5 stars is the author's sarcastic snark. He's far too know-it-all and dismissive and comes across as unlikeable. It also puts into doubt his claim in the introduction that he approached each case with an open mind.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually a reprint of a book that came out in 1986, which I didn't realize when I picked it up. Oh well -- it was still entertaining and enlightening. Harris debunks some of the most famous supposed psychic and supernatural events. The first chapter, debunking the Amityville Horror, is particularly worth reading. The author's style was grating after a while, though, as he comes off as extremely smug and also overuses exclamation points!