Ghosts and More Ghosts

When you read anything by Robert Arthur, remember that he wrote in the 1940's, and was commenting extensively--and incisively--on American society as well as on the myths and legends that have survived to this day. Technically, this is written for children--yes, and children can enjoy Gulliver's Travels, too, but it still has some rib-jabbing comments that adults can appreciate. Along with the chills you'll get a barrel of laughs, as Robert Arthur expertly sends up Oriental, Egyptian, Roman, and European legends (ancient and medieval), popular "dare danger" radio plays, and the quirks of American rural and urban society of ca. 1940. And he is indeed an expert--you'll have to look sharp to follow some of his point-of-view shifts, and in one case (buy it and you'll find out) figure out what really happened, as opposed to what various scientific and police authorities think happened (but still can't explain completely). And one more thing: the reason Mr. Arthur could see Americans as outsiders see us is that he was an outsider himself--a British expat, as some of his idioms make clear. So sit back, turn out the lights, and prepare, not for mindless entertainment, but for thought-provoking self-examination.

This is a book I grew up with! It was given to me by a distant relative whom I haven't seen since the evening he gave me this copy of Ghosts and More Ghosts. I have a 1st revised edition, Copyright 1963 hardback copy. (No I won't part with it) I remember my dad reading these to me at night (I'm 26). To quote Alfred Hitchcock from the reviews in the front of the book, "A choice blend of ghostly gooseflesh and ectoplasmic entertainment."

I read this in 1974, in fourth grade, and the stories still give me the willies today! With the success of the Goosebumps series, and Robert Arthur's "Three Investigators" still in print, I am baffled as to why this is out of print. I guess that just makes it more of a treasure if you can find it! The moody illustrations added nicely to the macabre tone of the book - many fine, small details to pore over. Mr Arthur's writing reads much like an old time radio play would, which is not surprising...he wrote several scripts for the "Suspense" radio show towards the end of its' run. Also, if you like this book, try "Mystery and More Mystery" by the same author.

WHEN I WAS IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL MYSTERIES AND GHOST STORIES WERE MY FAVORITE TYPES OF BOOKS. MY FAVORITE AUTHOR WAS ROBERT ARTHUR. I CAN REMEMBER READING "FOOTSTEPS IN THE FOG" FROM THIS BOOK IN THE SOUTH ST PAUL, MN PUBLIC LIBRARY ONE EVENING AND I WAS SO SCARED I HAD TO CALL MY MOM TO COME AND PICK ME UP BECAUSE I WAS TO SCARED TO WALK HOME. THIS IS AN EXCELLANT BOOK FOR ANYONE WHO LIKES TO BE SCARED. THE STORIES ARE FAIRLY ADULT, WHICH WAS THE APPEAL FOR ME. I AM NOW FORTY-FOUR YEARS OLD AND I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN THIS BOOK.

I discovered this book when I was the perfect age for it, and I *still* enjoy it today. It's a collection of ten stories about ghosts and the supernatural with a little fantasy and science fiction (i.e., Time Travel) thrown in. Some of the stories are scary ("Footsteps Invisible", "The Rose-Crystal Bell") while others are funny ("Mr. Milton's Gift", "Don't Be a Goose") and yet others are best described as wistful ("The Wonderful Day", "The Marvelous Stamps from El Dorado"). This was one of my favorite books as a kid, and I still think it's very good.