Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places

Dickey, author of Cranioklepty (grave robbers stealing the skulls of the brilliant) and Afterlives of the Saints (the long-lasting influence of holy weirdness), continues his exploration of the strange and macabre with this latest work. Each chapter is an essay revolving around a spooky site or sighting. The focus ranges from specific landmarks such as the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, CA, to institutions such as Southern U.S. plantations or asylums to entire cities such as Salem, MA, and New Orleans—all supposed magnets for supernatural activity. While the author doesn't question the veracity of the apparitions, the narratives are not your typical "gee whiz" ghost stories. Dickey pops sensationalist bubbles by observing the underlying racism, sexism, and classism associated with many hauntings' long-told tales. By exposing historical inaccuracies and sociological calumny, the work treats readers to a better understanding of the socioeconomic and political milieu in which these myths gained acceptance, ultimately providing a richer, more nuanced narrative.