The Haunting of the Presidents: A Paranormal History of the U.S. Presidency

I'm watching a very interesting show (on Jan 21, 2006) obviously based on this book. This is information we didn't have before - George Washington's vision of a presaging angel, Lincoln seeing his doppelganger, the 20-year Presidential curse made by a native American chief, Edgar Cayce predicting exactly what would happen to Wilson, the League of Nations and the world after the League failed to come into being, and more. Very engaging stuff! Thanks to the authors and much success with this book.

I find remarkable the efforts that were developed by the authors in order to investigate this complex topic. I could understand the great field resource limitations involved in order to just start the recollection of such data. My opinion is that the authors' narrative style is fluidly correct, although scientifically questionable, and is consistent with historical and phenomenological factors regarding spirit communication. I just regret that references were not sited in order to confirm the supposed experiences reported. Nonetheless, I also understand that the authors' intentions were not that of an academic or scientific purpose. All that is left for me to say is: Thanks any way for the valuable information, it's up to me to continue the search for more reliable detailed referenced based information. Jesus Soto Espinosa

This book was written very well and I beg to differ with the people who didn't like it. It was very informative when tying in the ghost stories which I like. Although the first part was a little boring and didn't hold my interest real well. It is a book that I think people should read if they like history and ghost stories combined.

I disagree with the one and two-star ratings. The book is well written and a page turner. In fact, I have been reading it late at night and sometimes the hair on the back of my neck stands up: not because I believe everything I am reading, but because the book can stand alone as a fine collection of well-written, entertaining ghost stories. If you are willing to suspend the "need to disbelieve" while reading the book, prepare to be spooked. If you are looking for concrete, logical proof of ghosts, you will be disappointed. (Hence my four, and not five-star rating.) In my opinion, both authors respect the paranormal experience and avoid sensationalism. The authors claim to base the book on documents, both declassified secret service and CIA files and through old letters and transcripts. They also write that the White House is the most haunted house in the US. The book includes an extensive bibliography on the paranormal and a listing of presidential haunts by state because birthplaces can also be haunted.Abraham Lincoln is the most documented sighting, especially at the time of FDR and World War II, but a total of 22 (or so) US presidents have been sighted, as well as former first ladies, and a few of the "first children." *Haunting* goes deep into the history of the paranormal experiences of the presidents themselves. For example, George Washington, who never lived in the White House, wrote a friend that he had a "visiting angel" while at Valley Forge telling him he mustn't give up, even under the horrendous conditions. Then the book explores the documented visitation of Washington's spirit to the Union officer Chamberlain during the Battle of Gettysburg, giving the Union officer strategic advice. According to written accounts, Washington also tried to warn Gen. McClellan that if he (McClellan) didn't take action soon, he would be removed from his post. McClellan did nothing and, of course, Lincoln did indeed oust McClellan, replacing him with US Grant. But the best part of the book is about the ghostly activity at the White House through the years, and the First Families who were open to the experience, albeit secretly. I have always been fascinated with the *possibility* of a haunted White House, but this is the first book I have found on the subject. I visited the White House in an era long before 9/11 when you could actually tour the place, and I felt then that it was filled with otherworldly energy. Many of us need concrete documentation of the paranormal experience, and the authors fail to provide us with it in some, but not all, circumstances. A few of us need less concrete proof because what the authors write "rings true" within us somehow. Does that make us more gullible? Perhaps, but all of us believe what we want to believe. I am a "skeptical mystic" and I took what was mine to take from the book and left the rest. I advise other readers to do the same.

I totally disagree with the other two comments on this great book. Joel Martin has once again outdone himself. I could not put this book down until I was finished and then wanted to read it again!! The stories about the hauntings of the White House were so detailed and fascinating that I felt that I was actually experiencing them in person. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is a wonderfully different look at our history and the personal lives of our leaders.