The Persistence of Ghosts (Book Review)

The Persistence of Ghosts (Book Review)
Real Ghost Encounters, Residual Hauntings, and the Theory Behind Why Spirits Persist
Authors: Tim R. Swartz, Sean Casteel
Foreword by Fred Andersson
Contributors: Scott Corrales, Hercules Invictus, Kurt Konecny, Paul Dale Roberts, Brad Steiger, Lon Strickler,
Diane Tessman, Tillie Treadwell, Michael K. Waterman, Nigel Watson
Publisher: Zontar Press
Reviewed by: Paul Dale Roberts, HPI’s Esoteric Detective – Halo Paranormal Investigations
Comments: As I go through this book, something that really stands out is a partial writing from Tim R. Swartz. The following statement that Tim writes is so TRUE! “You would think, given that ghosts and spirits are so pervasive in our history and cultural evolution, that we would have figured out by now if they weren’t real. Sure, we have scientists who adamantly declare that there is no scientific evidence for ghosts. No ghost has ever been captured and studied in a laboratory, and no ghostly activity has occurred in a repeatable fashion in a way that could be studied with modern scientific discipline. So, therefore no ghosts. But, someone forgot to tell the ghosts! Year after year, century after century, the reports roll in. For something that isn’t real, people sure do see a lot of ghosts!” This statement is so TRUE. People see ghosts all over the world. Ghost reports NEVER stop. Ghosts are seen by multiple witnesses, I know, I am a retired Paranormal Investigator! Why are ghosts so persistent?? According to Michael Waterman, Egyptologist – the ancient Egyptians were very “ghost friendly”. I used to wonder why some people would place coins on the eyes of the deceased. Hercules Invictus – contributor says that coins were placed on the eyes, or under the tongue to pay Charon the Ferryman, who would help their loved one cross the river Styx and reach the realm of Hades, Lord of the Dead. The dearly departed was then either buried or burned, as per local custom or situational circumstance.

After you die, do we face punishment for our sins? Sean Casteel discusses this in “Prayers for the Visiting Dead”. Sean says that according to the Vatican II Council (1962-1965), “The doctrine of purgatory clearly demonstrates that even when the guilt of sin has been taken away, punishment for it or the consequences of it may remain to be expiated or cleansed. In purgatory, the souls who died in the charity of God and truly repentant, but who had not made satisfaction with adequate penance for their sins and omissions are cleaned after death with punishment designed to purge away their debt”. As you go through this book, there is an analytical look at the possibility that ghosts could be demons. Scott Corrales looks at Latin American Phantasmagoria. I highly enjoyed the “Hauntings in the Caribbean” and “Specters in Columbia”. During my travels to Panama, Guatemala, Brazil, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Martin, Belize, Nicaragua, I learned that the people of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America are true believers in ghosts and show the upmost respect for the spirits that inhabit their lands. Diane Tessman asks: “Why would the spirits of a few people who have died get caught in a repetitive and “undead” web of space-time? Is it because Earth is a hologram? Diane dives right in seeking the answer to her mystifying question. In this book, you get a lot of questions, but also you get a lot of possible answers. This book DOES NOT leave you hanging without answers, it may give you one solid answer or a multitude of possible answers. The book will leave you satisfied, as if you went through a tantalizing buffet of incredible entrees and desserts. You have 363 pages in this mind-altering book. Here is a teaser on what you will get: “Vengeful Ghosts and Spiteful Demons by Sean Casteel”, “Hydrological Haints by Tim Swartz”, “Time Slip Ghosts by Tim Swartz”, “Do UFOs, Cryptids & Ghosts all Connect by (me)”, “Did Spring Heeled Jack Ride a Saucer? Nigel Watson”, “Haunted Hollywood by Sean Casteel”. I really enjoyed a story about “the Stone Throwing Devil”. In one of my cases, the ghosts threw pennies. I had everyone raise their hands in the air and the pennies kept on coming. The experience blew my mind. The Stone Throwing Devil is very close to what I experienced. What can I say, this book is AMAZING. After reading this book, you will want to gather your ghost hunting equipment and head out the door to find ghosts! Tim, Sean and the rest of the crew did an outstanding job with The Persistence of Ghosts!