Haunted Northern California: Ghosts and Strange Phenomena of the Golden State
3 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by linguistkris from Remscheid, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Tuesday, October 19, 2010
This was the first book I bought in the US, right on my first visit to a bookstore when I was in need of a travel guide. This was cleverly positioned right next to the guidebooks, so I picked it up even before the guide. I usually love "true" ghost stories, and I am very much looking forward to going on all available ghost walks around town the first chance I get. So, I really wanted to like this book. Sadly, I couldn't.
Not only is the selection of stories not very good, the single worst thing about this collection must be the writing style that just smacks of cheap tabloid newspaper. Just about every single episode starts with "a family, lets call them the Somethings" -- why mention people's names at all if we're just making them up? Then there are incredibly cheap morals-of-the-stories, more often than not hinting at the author's blatantly right-wing and Christian ethics (especially clear in the story of the ghost of the abortionist), and not least the annoyingly formulaic last sentences of each tale, warning the reader to watch out or do this or don't to that if ever in the appropriate neighborhood to meet the ghost in question. Even the pictures are cheap and unappealing. There really isn't anything good about this book and I'll be happy to be rid of it.
Luckily, there are a few other books on local ghost stories out there; I sincerely hope they will be better.
Not only is the selection of stories not very good, the single worst thing about this collection must be the writing style that just smacks of cheap tabloid newspaper. Just about every single episode starts with "a family, lets call them the Somethings" -- why mention people's names at all if we're just making them up? Then there are incredibly cheap morals-of-the-stories, more often than not hinting at the author's blatantly right-wing and Christian ethics (especially clear in the story of the ghost of the abortionist), and not least the annoyingly formulaic last sentences of each tale, warning the reader to watch out or do this or don't to that if ever in the appropriate neighborhood to meet the ghost in question. Even the pictures are cheap and unappealing. There really isn't anything good about this book and I'll be happy to be rid of it.
Luckily, there are a few other books on local ghost stories out there; I sincerely hope they will be better.
Journal Entry 2 by linguistkris at The Rex Hotel, Sutter Street in San Francisco, California USA on Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (10/20/2010 UTC) at The Rex Hotel, Sutter Street in San Francisco, California USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Will release at the October meet-up in SF.
2009 Stackpole Books trade paperback stated First Edition. This is one of a Haunted Series of various states and regions around the United States. I picked this up from last night's sfbx meetup at Hotel Rex on Sutter St. in San Francisco. Will give it a go. :)
Got a request for this book from Sfogs, if somebody later wants to forward it on to New Zealand.
Edit December 20, 2010: I cannot disagree with many of the points above, as this book is fairly weak. But it does have some interest for locals who are somewhat familiar with local places and history, such as the Winchester Mystery House down in San Jose. There was one very disturbing account here of a torture room hidden behind a wall in Hayward, that would be intriguing to discover more about, but this book only gives the vaguest clue. It's written in a casual folksy style, so serious investigators might want to instead turn to the sources listed in the bibliography.
Got a request for this book from Sfogs, if somebody later wants to forward it on to New Zealand.
Edit December 20, 2010: I cannot disagree with many of the points above, as this book is fairly weak. But it does have some interest for locals who are somewhat familiar with local places and history, such as the Winchester Mystery House down in San Jose. There was one very disturbing account here of a torture room hidden behind a wall in Hayward, that would be intriguing to discover more about, but this book only gives the vaguest clue. It's written in a casual folksy style, so serious investigators might want to instead turn to the sources listed in the bibliography.
... at the next meeting of the TriValley BookCrossing group, or the one after that, or the one after that, depending on when I actually get out there from here. As of this past month, the monthly meeting seems to have relocated from Panera Bread to Elephant Bar, so will have to confirm that location.
Aside from loving shared books, my main passion in life is supporting the human rights work of my good friend, Anni Cyrus. 💖 💖 Her life story of survival as a childhood refugee is astounding, and quite moving!
Please look her up on Google and YouTube. You can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram, among other platforms.
Aside from loving shared books, my main passion in life is supporting the human rights work of my good friend, Anni Cyrus. 💖 💖 Her life story of survival as a childhood refugee is astounding, and quite moving!
Please look her up on Google and YouTube. You can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram, among other platforms.
Picked up at tonight's meeting.
