Haunted Virginia

Stackpole Haunted Series

by L.B. Taylor Jr.

The Old Dominion has been one of the nation's most embattled states. Serving as center stage for both the American Revolution and the Civil War, it is also one of the most haunted. In addition to the sagas of the tragic spirits from these wars, this volume includes stories on the female stranger of Gadsby's Tavern in Alexandria, the mysterious stone showers in Newport, the ghost hound of the Blue Ridge, Mad Lucy of Williamsburg, and the spirits of native sons Thomas Jefferson, Robert E. Lee, and Edgar Allan Poe.

Genres: Paranormal, Nonfiction, Ghosts, Travel, History, Mystery

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2009

About the author

Williamsburg resident L.B. Taylor, Jr., is credited with 50 non-fiction books, including 25 enormously popular collections of Virginia ghost stories.

He earned his journalism degree from Florida State University, served in the U.S. Army, and later covered spaceflight missions for NASA. As a freelance writer, he wrote more than 300 articles throughout his career and his retirement.

While his popular non-fiction books cover diverse subjects, from pirate treasure to electronic surveillance, his ghost story collections set him firmly in Virginia libraries, schools, and homes.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have read the Ghosts in Virginia series, you should know that some of these stories appear in those books. (In fact, it could be all the stories, but I have only read up to vol 8 there, so I'm not sure). That's not a bad thing because L.B. Taylor Jr is such a great storyteller that it is a pleasure to read anything by him that is about Virginia.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun basic book of Virginia ghostlore in which major regions of the state are celebrated. I think it is a good old fashioned book of ghost stories. The Wreck of the Old 97 is especially well described and crises apparations are introduced. (Oddly enough, when I typed "crises apparations," there came a sudden boom that rattled the house! Was it only a crack of thunder or noise from the highway below?!)
Modern readers might notice some stereotypes that we are now moving away from as a society. I couldn't help but notice that overwhelmingly the ghosts of young women were slender and beautiful, Confederate soldiers were brave and tragic heroes, and people of color were loyal caretakers. These things are probably staples of Virginia folklore so I don't fault the author, though such tellings seem to reflect a different time.
Finally, I liked how the book includes some funny stories along with the spooky ones, a nice old tradition of ghost story telling.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up to a 3. Although some of the stories were good, overall I wasn't overly impressed. I think this would have been more enjoyable if I read maybe 2 stories a night in October. Reading the entire book more or less at once seemed to take me a long time to get through. I think I'd have enjoyed the book more if I had done it this way and then have rated it higher.

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read! Since I was born and raised in Norfolk, VA, I recognized several places mentioned. I also read about several places that at one time or another, have driven by.
I definitely want to visit a plantation which was in this book, as well as a church graveyard I have passed more times than I can count.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had some interesting stories about ghosts or strange phenomena around the state. It is divided j to regional sections. I wanted something more focused on Williamsburg, but this was still interesting to read.

[Kelly Cherie Royston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an interesting read of haunted places and phenomenon in Virginia!! I love reading about stuff like this that people have experienced!! Good Book!!

[Liz Sonnek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories were a bit hokey. I'd actually give this book 2.5 stars but decided to round up instead of down. I did learn of some cool places to see and have added to my VA bucket list.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice mix of the truly spooky tales and those with humerous twists. The spooky ones are all the more spooky for taking place in some very familiar places for me. I read it a little early, but it would make a good Halloween read especially for any native Virginian.

[Anya]

I got this book to read around the campfire on camping trip. Hope it's spooky enough