Collins gem. Ghosts - Karen Hurrell

What are ghosts - and do they really exist? The Gem examines these questions and then provides many examples of possible ghostly events from around the world.

Collins Gem Ghosts starts by looking at the theories about ghosts and the evidence for their existence. It then takes major themes that have been linked to particular types of ghostly experiences:

Ghosts represent one of the least understood, yet most widely recognised, forms of paranormal experience. No one can agree whether a ghost is a material form somehow incorporated into our reality - from a fourth dimension, perhaps - or some type of obscure hallucination. Whatever the case, ghosts have held the fascination and fear of mankind since the beginning of recorded time. That interest has not wanted - in March 2000, a study showed that some 42 per cent of Britons think ghosts, phantoms and other supernatural apparitions really exist.

The book concludes with a review of the impact of ghosts on film, music, novels and a listing of useful ghost websites.