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Ghosthunters: On the Trail of Mediums, Dowsers, Spirit Seekers, and Other Investigators of America's Paranormal World

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"In Ghosthunters , John Kachuba explores some of America's great haunts while he introduces us to the people who actually go searching for ghosts. His writing takes the reader on a haunted journey—it's like riding shotgun with him while he creeps through haunted asylums, abandoned farmhouses, and historic battlefields, and speaks with some of the biggest names in this field of study. If something goes bump in the night, have no fear—John Kachuba won't be far behind." —Jeff Belanger, founder of Ghostvillage.com and author of The World's Most Haunted Places

Why do ghosts fascinate so many people?

To answer that question, writer and paranormal researcher John Kachuba aka “The Ghosthunter” investigates haunted locations throughout the country and interviews scores of people who have had paranormal encounters. The author discovers a growing interest in ghosts today, which has spurred an American pop culture phenomenon based on the supernatural.
Combining his case reports of actual hauntings, discussions with leading figures in the paranormal world, and stories about related subjects–buying ghosts on eBay, buying and selling haunted houses, ghost tourism– Ghosthunters presents an intriguing and witty look at America’s paranormal world. Set off down the trail of the paranormal and read

249 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2006

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About the author

John B. Kachuba

28 books9 followers
John B. Kachuba is the series editor of America's Haunted Road Trip from Clerisy Press and the author of Ghosthunting Illinois and Ghosthunting Ohio. He has also written other books such as Ghosthunters: On the Trail of Mediums, Dowsers, Spirit Seekers, and Other Investigators of America's Paranormal World, How to Write Funny, and Why is this Job Killing Me? (co-authored with his wife, Mary A. Newman, PhD).

John's short fiction and nonfiction have been widely published and he has received several awards for his fiction, including the 2004 Dogwood Fiction Prize.

He holds advanced degrees in Creative Writing from Antioch University (Yellow Springs, OH) and Ohio University. He has taught writing at both the University of Cincinnati and Ohio University. He is also on the faculty of the Gotham Writers Workshop.

John is a noted conference speaker and presenter and is a sought-after guest on many radio and television programs throughout the country and internationally.

John lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife Mary.

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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Profile Image for Steve Wiggins.
Author 9 books76 followers
December 28, 2021
Ghost hunting books are guilty pleasures. I suspect most people wonder about ghosts from time to time, and John Kachuba is a recognized name in the field. I turned to this book mainly to find out what he had to say about Ed and Lorraine Warren. He participates in the general “they’ve had many books written about them” rhetoric without really naming the books. I’ve been trying my best to find them because, well, I’m curious. This particular book is really a set of discrete essays with two occasionally going naturally together.

I enjoyed the book, don’t get me wrong. I would, however, have appreciated a narrative arc (see Sects and Violence in the Ancient World). As an editor I spend my days telling would-be authors to develop an arc. Books of essays sell better when they’re deliberately crafted. Some of Kachuba’s pieces are quite interesting. I especially liked the one on ghost whispering.

As far as the Warrens go, the author includes an interview he had with Lorraine, after Ed was incapacitated with a stroke. There are quite a few witticisms in the book, but he shows great respect for the grandparents of all reality TV ghost hunters. It’s sometimes difficult to pin down where the author stands. He doesn’t report having seen many ghosts, but it is a guilty pleasure, as I say, to read about them regardless.
Profile Image for Cyn Bagley.
Author 70 books12 followers
June 3, 2011
Kachuba introduces the reader to demonologists, ghost whisperers, ghosthunters accreditation, ghostbusters, and haunted locations. He gives an idea of how dowsing sticks and electronic gadgets work around ghosts. It is a pretty interesting book.

What really convinced me was that I have seen several somethings (shadows, male figures, etc) in my peripheral vision. I have also talked to my cat in dreams at the moment of her death. And apparently I am one of many folks who have had these types of experience.

It is a fun interesting book about the spiritual world that might be around us.
Profile Image for Heather Hay.
174 reviews2 followers
December 14, 2010
I don't think this author ever expected people who participated in ghost investigating to actually read this book. The unique individuals who are brave enough to investigate something they don't understnd don't need another author pointing out the strange people on the fringes who don't really investigate. I enjoyed reading about Ed and Lorraine Warren. I felt that his lack of details shows how little he took people seriosly.
Profile Image for The Tick.
407 reviews3 followers
December 19, 2009
Most of my knowledge of ghost hunting comes from watching Ghost Hunters on TV (no connection to this book) so it was interesting to read about some of the approaches other teams take when they're looking for ghosts. There were a lot of instances where I really wanted more details, though, and sometimes it felt like he was trying way too hard to be funny.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews

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