Ghosted: A History of Ghost Hunting, and Why We Keep Looking

A social, historical and scientific exploration of ghost-hunting, and why our fascination with the paranormal is as timeless as the ghosts we hope to find.

The history of ghosts is ancient, but the history of active ghost-hunting is relatively recent, and investigations into the paranormal have developed hand-in-spirit-hand with scientific discoveries, from radio waves to smartphone apps. Now, more than ever, we want to find our own ghosts. Is it to help process grief? Become influencers? Or ease our fears of death?

Ghosted follows the story of paranormal investigations from the Victorian era to the modern day, examining how our fascination with ghost hunting has changed alongside technology and culture. Where we once gathered around tables, observing and recording every movement of the medium, we now take electronic equipment and app-laden phones around haunted locations to catch ghosts digitally. Where theatres and concert halls held sold-out performances by conjurers recreating the tricks of fraudulent mediums, we now delight in picking apart and exposing the evidence presented on reality television programmes.

In this book, Alice Vernon embarks on a journey to encounter a ghost, travelling to some of the UK's most haunted locations and encouraging readers to interrogate their own scepticism and belief. Ghosted examines what we are looking for, why we are looking for it, and why have we never given up the ghost.

Review

Engaging . Ghosted explores the shifting balance of power between mediums and investigators - the traumatised grief of desperate World War I parents giving way to the macho nerd-dom of the modern "ghost-hunter," out for spectral scalps and YouTube hits . Vernon's real subject is the basic need to believe, as true now as at the turn of the last century. Indeed, perhaps it's more vital - and human - than ever before. ― New York Times

A lively, highly readable book. ― The Daily Mail

Whether you believe in ghosts or are sceptical - this book will enthral. Vernon describes beautifully the history of ghost hunting and questions why we keep searching for ghosts. Ghosted is not really about ghosts at all - but about the living, and the grief which touches us all. ― Professor Alice Gregory

Ghosted is a unique and deeply personal journey through the world of paranormal investigation, and the very human emotions that fuel our yearning for a glimpse of the world beyond . Alice Vernon presents the social and cultural role that ghosts play in our lives, whether we believe they're real or not. ― Kate Cherrell

In this overview of our long-standing fascination with ghosts, Alice Vernon offers an honest, respectful and thought-provoking reflection on grief and the conflicting forces of scepticism and belief. ― Maria J. Pérez Cuervo, founder and editor of Hellebore

Whether you believe in ghosts or are skeptical-this book will enthral. Vernon describes beautifully the history of ghost hunting and questions why we keep searching for ghosts. Ghosted is not really about ghosts at all-but about the living, and the grief which touches us all. ― Lit Hub

About the Author

Alice Vernon is Lecturer in Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University. Her debut book, Night Terrors, explored troubled sleep in literature and culture, and was BBC Radio 4's Book of the Week. Her research focuses on parapsychology, sleep disorders and the horror genre.