By Paula Limbaugh
With All Hallows’ Eve just around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to review a non-fiction horror novel. Soon, these ghosts will be free to walk among us for one night, or maybe as the book suggests, they are walking among us right now!
Patrick Burke developed an interest in military history as a teenager, and later while visiting Gettysburg on a school trip, he had his first encounter with the paranormal. It was the first of many experiences he would have.
Jack Ross had been interested in the Civil War since he was 6 years old; he had also had some paranormal experiences that changed the course of his life. Like Patrick Burke, he also had a keen interest in Gettysburg.
Both authors hope that by writing about their experiences at Gettysburg, they will allow others to share in the events of our history. They both believe that by absorbing the energy left behind, more details can be discovered about the locations where the battle actually took place. “We intend for this book to be the first in a collaborative series documenting the compelling evidence collected on battlefields around the world.” That’s a pretty lofty statement, but they certainly seem to be on the right track.
The authors believe that at the moment of death, the body and soul may be affected by emotional shocks that prevent the soul from moving on. The authors go on to explain the various types of hauntings such as real, residual, object, and others. They provide some excellent arguments for their beliefs and offer historical facts to support their findings.
Many of the encounters mentioned here are eerie. A man named Brad tells of how when he was 17 years old he traveled to Gettysburg and saw a group of Union soldiers marching. He thought it was a reenactment troupe and began filming them, only to see them disappear over a ridge without leaving any trace. A few years later he heard on TV that some Japanese dignitaries had also seen the reenactment, only to discover that there was no reenactment at all. Several other people have come forward to say that they too saw these soldiers, who are now known as the Gettysburg Ghost Corps. Oh, and did I mention that Brad actually recorded these ghosts on a VHS tape, for goodness sake!
This is a really interesting book; maybe not for every horror fan, but if you’re a history buff or just a fan of paranormal encounters, then I recommend it. The book can be a little dry at times, as the authors take great pains to ensure that we laymen understand how paranormal investigations are conducted, but I personally found it quite entertaining. I hope you do too. The book will be available on October 8, 2014, and can be pre-ordered here today.
score:4/5
