MACKENZIE, Andrew - A Gallery of Ghosts : An Anthology of Reported Experiences -(1st Ed H/c in Wrap)

Very, very scarce - Book in good condition for ex-lib - The chapters show the experiences of 20 people (some famous) .   >>>    A collection of true ghost accounts (though including 3 poltergeist cases).  Divided into 20 chapters, the authors fall into two main categories: individuals associated primarily with psychical research or whose work included a significant psychical research component; and writers for whom the paranormal fell outside the mainstream of their work but who had an interesting story to tell.   -   The foreword notes that unlike structured fictional ghost stories, the true ghost story is fragmentary and often apparently meaningless, despite which patterns may be discerned when enough have been studied.  Yet Mackenzie states that although he comments in detail about some of the cases, they have not been put under the microscope as they would be if the purpose of the book were an assessment of evidential material.   -   Thus, in characterising the book as both an anthology and a psychical research study, MacKenzie is attempting to appeal to two different audiences.  General readers might find the commentary detracts from the pleasure of the accounts themselves, though emphasising the seriousness with which they are taken by researchers.  Psychical researchers on the other hand, while appreciating the collection taken from sources outside the field, might wish MacKenzie had discussed them at greater length.   -   MacKenzies foreword then focuses on the return cases which comprise the final five chapters, and ties these in with bereavement cases where a person experiences what they say is the return of a loved one.  These he feels can be explained in psychological terms, unlike those cases where an apparition is experienced and the experient does not know the person has died.  However, he adds that while suggestive, such instances are still not proof of survival.   -   The chapters begin with what is described as a dialogue with writer Rosalind Heywood, though it is rather MacKenzie interviewing her (Heywood had contributed some of the cases)  MacKenzie says he has never seen a ghost, but Heywood has, and they discuss these incidents.  One was of a living person, the other a more traditional sort, lacking intention.  She had also experienced the feeling of an unseen presence on numerous occasions.  In answer to the question whether ghosts are real, she replies by saying it depends what you mean by real, but in terms of inducing conscious experience then yes, they are.  However, whereas some seem to exhibit consciousness through signs of intention, others are aimless.   * Psychology *