When Ghosts Speak: Understanding the World of Earthbound Spirits

Got me thinking!

I simply could not put this book down. Mary Ann Winkowski's way of telling her story is open, frank, humorous and direct. Thought provoking and constant, this is an intriguing, amazing book. Part biography and part extensive personal paranormal experience. Easily one of the best books on the topic of ghosts and the afterlife. Mrs. Winkowski's account of her life and dealing with earth-bound spirits resonates with directness and plausibility. When Ghosts Speak is one of the best books I've read on this topic--and I've read most of them!

I believe in a spirit world. I believe spirits can communicate through certain people called mediums. I believe Mary Ann Winkowski, the author of this book, is a medium. What I have a hard time believing, however, is that she is as good as the stories in this book suggest. She seems to get names, personal information, and even computer passwords from the spirits without too much difficulty. I have a pretty high boggle threshold, but this book exceeded it and left me shaking my head and wondering if she embellished some of the stories. It may be that she just mentioned the best cases and made no mention of her failures, but I remain skeptical. It would have really helped my skepticism if she had included an appendix of some kind with testimonials from the various police departments and other agencies or persons she states have been clients. Most clairvoyant and clairaudient mediums, including James Van Praagh, who wrote the Foreword to the book, struggle to get names and they just get bits and pieces of information, often through symbols. But it is as if Mrs. Winkowski is sitting there talking to them over a cup of coffee, jotting down their verbatim words. She does state that she communicates only with earthbound spirits, i.e., those who have not yet gone into the light, while mediums like Van Praagh, John Edward, Lisa Williams and others known to the public apparently communicate with those who have gone into the light. Perhaps the vibrational level for earthbound spirits is closer to ours and that makes it easier to get information. I have done much study and reading in the area of mediumship and don't recall coming across this division before, i.e., those who can receive communication only from earthbound spirits and those who receive communication only from spirits who have gone into the light. It was a very interesting and educational read for me. I don't rate a book down just because it exceeds my boggle threshold. It gave me much to think about and ponder on. I look forward to hearing more about Mary Ann Winkowski, but do hope she will offer some testimonials in a future book.

I first met Mary Ann Winkowski when I interviewed her for my book, Ghosthunters. I was completely charmed by her humble and warm Midwestern personality, not at all what I expected from someone who can see and talk to dead people. If you've ever watched CBS' Ghost Whisperer, you may already know something about Mary Ann since the program is loosely based upon her experiences. In fact, Mary Ann is a consultant to the producers of the show. Mary Ann's new book, When Ghosts Speak, is a candid and thoroughly engrossing biography in which she explains her unique abilities. The book is written as though the reader was seated at Mary Ann's kitchen table, talking with her over coffee and biscotti. Yet, the amazing stories that she tells about her conversations with ghosts tells the reader that this is a woman with awesome, if not frightening, powers which have helped her to aid countless families who needed to communicate with recently departed loved ones. She also writes about her work with various law enforcement agencies throughout the country as she helps them solve crimes by talking with the dead crime victims themselves! I enjoyed reading When Ghosts Speak and I recommend it to any readers who want to know about the real Ghost Whisperer. John Kachuba Author: Ghosthunters: On the Trail of Mediums, Dowsers, Spirit Seekers, and Other Investigators of America's Paranormal World

I recieved a bound proof of this book and found it to be very informative. It does not address the subject in a storybook manner but instead addresses each area of interest from a personal and practical standpoint much like a reference book. I must say after having read literally dozens of books on the paranormal and indeed having done a few investigations of my own I found this book to be one of the most well written, informative and interesting books I have read so far. It addresses how to recognize certain situations, What to do If?, What NOT to do and some her personal accounts as well. This is definately NOT A BORING READ!

Many books on the subject of ghosts are either silly and trite or leave the reader with many unanswered questions. This book is different--and better. Mary Ann Winkowski claims to see ghosts (earthbound spirits) and is able to speak to them. If you accept that premise then the book's content is fascinating and answers many questions. Readers can and should be skeptical about such claims but if one reads the book with an open and curious mind it will be an enjoyable and enlightening read. It certainly makes you think. What happens to us after we die is always a compelling topic. "When Ghosts Speak" approaches the topic with ideas many people have not fully considered before. If you enjoy an easy, page-turning read about a topic that has always fascinated humankind, you will not be disappointed reading this book.