Includes index.

"A ghost is an apparition of a person, now decesed, that manifests itself to a living being. But this is only part of the story, and other cultures have paranormal phenomena of their own, often linked with ancient animism, which have been absorbed into their mythology stretching back through time. Skeptics suggest that human perception is at fault, and that changes in air pressure causing doors to slam, and lights from passing vehicles reflected through windows or in mirrors at night, may produce such misleading effects. It is also claimed that sounds inaudible to man can produce the feeling of a 'presence' in a room, and even carbon monoxide poisoning can be blamed for similar sensations of anxiety and dread. Is it possible for so many to have been hoodwinked by their own senses? Here we take a look at many of the classic cases of hauntings from around the world. Not only are there the ghostly tales of kings, queens, nobles, murderers and their victims, and the real story behind 'The Exorcist', but there are the phenomena connected with more modern celebrities, such as James Dean, Harry Houdini, Al Copone, Liberace, Elvis Presley and many others. They also include apparitions of devil dogs, great apes, bears, and even those connected with improbable inanimate objects, such as aircraft carriers and ocean liners" -- inside cover.