Tag Archives: book reviews

Field Notes from a Ghost Mine

11 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by in Authors, Books, Ghost Hunting, Reviews, SyFy Channel

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

Patrick HT Doyle

Patrick HT Doyle

Paranormal Field Notes Benefit All Investigators

Field notes are invaluable. They capture moments when the memory fails. Field books contain notes, drawings, and working hypotheses. Patrick H.T. Doyle’s Ghosts from the Ground Up: Field Notes of a Ghost Miner interweaves observation, reflection, and visual imagery and comes up with an entertaining paranormal read.

Oregon’s Crescent Mine has long been believed to be haunted. Located outside Sumpter, Oregon, the entire area has reported activity. This town ceased to thrive when the gold mining dried up. The town’s population is under 300 people; moreover, tourism is the main, possibly only, economic activity.

Ghost Mine debuted on SyFy on January 16, 3013. For two seasons (18 episodes), Doyle, along with investigator Kristen Luman, searched for answers deep within the mine, while a group of burley miners searched for gold. Doyle and Luman respected the miners and their boundaries. The investigation uncovered a lot of fascinating evidence and data. Unfortunately, SyFy opted not to renew the series for a third season. Instead, Doyle penned his book.

This book is a journey. Doyle views investigations like a science experiment. Peppered throughout are definitions and explanations and very few conclusions. But that’s not the point. Doyle’s writing is reminiscent of Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, also developed from traveling field notes. Doyle offers up unanswered questions, and his commentary is humble and honest. The vagabond lifestyle ended decades ago; however, readers still yearn for an armchair adventure. This one involves the paranormal. Doyle’s book is a great gift for anyone interested in the paranormal. Add this one to your para collection!

Sarchie’s Deliver Us from Evil Thrills

18 Friday Jul 2014

Posted by in Authors, Books, Demonic Possession, Devil, Media, Movies, Paranormal, Pet Peeves, Religion

≈ Comments Off on Sarchie’s Deliver Us from Evil Thrills

Tags

, , ,

Ralph Sarchie

Ralph Sarchie

Sarchie’s Deliver Us from Evil Thrills

Demonic possession cases are rare. However, every—and I mean EVERY—paranormal investigator needs to know how to distinguish between them and mental illness. Ralph Sarchie’s Deliver Us from Evil teaches the reader to do just that.

Ralph Sarchie is a veteran NYPD police officer. He is also a paranormal investigator trained by Ed and Lorraine Warren. A devout Catholic, Sarchie along with co-writer Lisa Collier Cool interweave fascinating case studies with practical advice. My copy is flagged throughout. This book dives right into an unbelievable case. The authors then step back and provide Sarchie’s backstory. The common thread linking the chapters is God. Sarchie’s a firm—and I mean firm—believer in God and the power of prayer. And I agree!

Beware the Night

Originally published as Beware the Night.

Some of the more salient points are: The psychic hours are between 9 pm and 6 am. Human spirits aren’t subject to exorcism. Inanimate objects cannot be possessed. Prayer works! However, Sarchie goes in depth with orders and stages and terminology. Hint: Read the book.

[Note: I would be remiss not to point out the one glaring typo: Super Bowl is two (2) words. This is a pet peeve of mine.]

The problem is that people don’t believe in the Devil. Even some of the clergy don’t believe a Devil exists. Sarchie makes a credible argument that an Unholy Trinity exists and is waging war against the Holy Trinity. His Unholy Trinity consists of Satan, Lucifer, and the Antichrist. Combined they are feeding off of innocent and uneducated souls. Only the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, can save them. Sarchie should know; he has assisted on countless exorcisms. He works in concert with the Catholic Church.

While reading the book, I was reminded of the movie The Conjuring. I can hear Ed Warren’s voice advising Sarchie in many of the cases. Shoot, even John Zaffis make a couple appearances. This book shows why it is important for paranormal investigators to help their clients. It reminds us that somewhere along the way we will encounter a case that is beyond our capabilities. We cannot handle it alone. We should refer those few cases to the professional exorcists. Do not attempt! Unfortunately, there will be the few who will not heed my advice. The Devil and his minions do exist, my friends. It is only through God that they are controlled and casted back to Hell.

Deliver Us from Evil

Deliver Us from Evil

Book Review: Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery

26 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by in Books, Cemeteries, Famous Locations, Historic Oakland Cemetery, Photography, Statues and Monuments

≈ Comments Off on Book Review: Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery

Tags

,

Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery book

Cover Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery by Ren and Helen Davis

Book Review: Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery: An Illustrated History and Guide

By Ren and Helen Davis

Every book about cemeteries should be this stunning. (Actually, every cemetery in America should strive to be this tranquil.) Visually appealing, this book matches the actual cemetery. It is well organized into four distinct sections. Each section begins with an illustrated map denoting the gravesites discussed and important structures. A brief overview provides the reader with enough information to pique her interest. The authors pack as many stories into the book as possible. The final chapter details the importance of the cemetery and its role in the Atlanta community. And quite a role it has. History lives on while visitors stroll through this beautiful cemetery. Preservation is paramount. Through annual events and memberships, funds are reinvested into maintenance and education. Oakland Cemetery is more than the final resting place to Atlanta’s population. It exemplifies the garden cemetery plan prevalent in the nineteenth century. The Introduction by Timothy J. Crimmins details the popularity of rural garden cemeteries and their importance in American history. The book does justice to the numerous mausoleums and statuary located throughout the grounds. Stories of great wealth, and sorrow, reside within this cemetery.

Nuts and Bolts: This book contains everything that makes a good book great. It is well-researched. Crisp photographs are accompanied with historical images. The writing style is casual and appealing. The Appendices are clearly structured and relevant to the content. Although not a proper bibliography, the Notes section does provide enough information for the reader to continue on. Finally, the Index is thorough.

Conclusion: Visit Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery. It is a subtle reminder of our history and challenges us to honor the dead. Before you leave, stop in the adorable gift shop (the former bell tower) and purchase this book.