April 11, 2020
If you are anything like me, the unknown is a fascinating subject. Ghosts, UFOs, weird animals and weird experiences are all part of the supernatural. Below is a list of nonfiction books that deal with the supernatural; all are available from Wisconsin’s Digital Library. This is just a starting point, the digital library has many other books that deal with the supernatural. Enjoy!
"ABOMINABLE SCIENCE!: ORIGINS OF THE YETI, NESSIE AND OTHER FAMOUS CRYPTIDS"
Available as an e-book
Humans have always been captivated by mythic and legendary beasts. Two investigators examine cryptozoology, presenting arguments both for and against the existence of unknown beasts. Taking on some of the most famous monsters, the authors analyze the sightings and other evidence and draw some conclusions.
"A HISTORY OF GHOSTS: THE TRUE STORY OF SéANCES, MEDIUMS, GHOSTS, AND GHOSTBUSTERS"
Available as an e-book
Watching his family perform séances through a crack in the basement door led Peter Aykroyd to investigate the history of Spiritualism. Starting in 1848, when Spiritualism first developed, Aykroyd introduces famous mediums, sharing personal history with spirits and ghosts and weaving together a larger narrative about the role the paranormal has played in our culture.
"UFO FILES: INSIDE STORY OF REAL LIFE SIGHTINGS"
Available as an e-book
Drawing on formerly secret files in the British National Archives, Clark shares extraordinary reports from regular people alongside details of official investigations. Starting in the 1920’s with Metropolitan Police Starting with reports of aerial phenomenon to the conclusion of the British governments own Project Blue Book, Project Condign, this book shares remarkable stories of abductions, close encounters and crop circles.
"UFO HUNTERS’ GUIDE: SIGHTINGS, ABDUCTIONS, HOT SPOTS, CONSPIRACIES, COVER UPS, THE IDENTIFIED AND UNIDENTIFIED AND MORE"
Available as an e-book
This guide features information regarding competing theories about UFO’s famous cases and hot spots around the world. With numerous contributions from researchers, this book is a great first step in becoming more knowledgeable about the UFO phenomenon.
"PARANORMAL AMERICA: GHOST ENCOUNTERS, UFO SIGHTINGS, BIGFOOT HUNTS AND OTHER CURIOSITIES IN RELIGION AND CULTURE"
Available as an e-book
Looking to understand people who believe in supernatural happenings and how that belief shapes their lives, the authors shed light on various beliefs, experiences and activities; how they differ from other Americans and whether or not we can expect a new major religion be the end result.
"WEREWOLVES OF WISCONSIN AND OTHER MYTHS, MONSTER AND GHOSTS"
Available as an e-book
Explore our nation’s haunted history and meet the Werewolves of Wisconsin, visit the Winchester Mystery House and a cemetery in Massachusetts to learn about our haunted history.
"HAUNTED WAUSAU: THE GHOSTLY HISTORY OF BIG BULL FALLS"
Available as an e-book
Wausau has its own share of hauntings. Visit the Rogers Theater for haunting whispers; buy your cross country skis at Shepard and Schaller’s Sporting Goods and hear about their resident ghost or visit the Gillett home to learn about their acorn pyramid.
"GHOSTLY TALES OF WISCONSIN"
Available as an e-book
Is Wisconsin the most haunted state in America? Read this book and decide for yourself! This collection features the scariest, most surprising ghost stories of the Badger State, including a haunted house so scary it was featured on television to a road where a werewolf resides. These stories are written for sharing around the campfire, so they are perfect for reading out loud.
"MONSTERS AMONG US: AN EXPLORATION OF OTHERWORLDLY BIGFOOTS, WOLFMEN, PORTALS, PHANTOMS AND ODD PHENOMENA"
Available as an e-book
Have you ever seen something you couldn’t explain? This book explores these otherworldly experiences and challenges your ideas of reality. The author is an expert in strange creatures and lore, reporting on bigfoots, werewolves, strange energy forms and other bizarre experiences. Godfrey leads the reader on a journey through the mystical and legendary information as well as the scientific research of these creatures and experiences and the myths that surround them.
"GHOSTLY ENCOUNTERS: CONFESSIONS OF A PARANORMAL INVESTIGATOR "
Available as an e-book
With new digital technologies, it’s not a surprise that people have used this new tech to investigate mysterious stories or events that have happened to them. Like most people, Jeff Cole was intrigued by aspects of the paranormal—does the human spirit endure after the body dies? Are there such things as ghosts? These questions have led Cole on a journey in the world of hunting ghosts with an established team learning about the history of locations, exploring these places and experiences these hauntings themselves.
"GHOSTS: A HAUNTED HISTORY"
Available as an e-book
What exactly is a ghost? How are ghosts related to the human soul? Lisa Mortong researches history’s most enduring ghosts in a comprehensive book. She examines the shifting shape of ghostly phenomenon and related entities like poltergeist, wraiths and revenants. She visits spirits of the classic world, including Ancient Egyptians belief in a five part soul, phantoms of the Middle Ages and the rise of Spiritualism at the end of the eighteenth century. This wide ranging informative book is an entertaining read about a cultural phenomenon that has lasted for thousands of years.
Julie Kinney / Adult Services Librarian
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