Book Disection: Ghost Worlds

[Kyle]

I recently picked up Ghost Worldsa guide to poltergeists, portals, ecto-mist, & spirit behavior, by Melba Goodwyn.

I merely skimmed through it at the book store, while looking around and my girlfriend was getting impatient so decided to give it a shot and bought it.

In the introduction of the book, the author lets the reader know that she is an experienced ghost hunter with tons of evidence; and that she'll present her best evidence to us, and allow us to be the judge of if we believe or not.

After reading the introduction, I was excited to get more into the book. And started blasting through it. However, I started to notice a trend. There is no evidence.

She recounts many, many, personal experiences. Nearly all of which, she tells of the wonderful photograph she took as evidence. For example, a civil war soldier. Or a portal "shooting" out orbs. All clear and visible in her photo's. She recounts many tales, that have to do with her clairaudiance, as well as clairvoyance; or ghosts speaking, and showing themselves to her. As well as numerous video clips and EVP's taken; all showing proof positive of the existence of ghosts. Yet, all really read, is her personal experience in some situations. There is not a single photograph in the book; and while I might be different, if I had all these hundreds of photos of absolute proof of the after life; and I wrote a book on ghosts; I would probably include a couple choice photo's to go along with the story.

This book is fairly new, and recounts investigations in 2005 and 2006. So, by my standards, I would expect some links to the EVP's or Video's on the web; so the reader can see what she is talking about. Maybe that's asking a little too much; but this is the web age.. so I don't think so.

She has decided to adopt a few theory's and opinions to her reasoning, and presents them as absolute fact. One repeating theme, is that ghosts are not here all the time, they travel in between dimensions. If you read this book, by the end you will be so sick of the phrase "vibrational frequencies" you'll want to bleach the words from your mind, as that seems to be her favorite theory of how ghosts manifest. Through vibrational frequencies. Everything revolves around vibrational frequencies.

First she says each different dimension has a different frequency in which it vibrates, that defines that dimension. Later in the book, we find out that clearly dogs and cats are not domesticated pets at all, but multidimensional creatures, as they vibrate at a much higher frequency than humans do, and that's why they are much more receptive to spirits, especially when they vibrate out of their dimension and into ours.

Now, I am fine with people having theory's and ideas of what could and couldn't be. But when it is presented in a way, that, without any data to back up, shown to be absolute truth; it bothers me. Needless to say I am bothered by a lot of this book.

As far as my understanding in spirits goes, which is heavily guided by my spiritualism, which happens to be the Buddha Dharma, or Bhuddist; her understanding of spirits or ghosts is completely flawed. But that's to be expected, and I won't try and discredit her for that, other than once again; she states opinion as fact, with no back up. I will say, when I read her ideas, most of them did not go along with what I believe to be true, so did not find any interest in those parts of the books.

Additionally, when defining some things, it seems almost as if made stuff up. That or I am seriously out of the loop, as far as paranormal investigating goes. For example she defines the different colors of orbs, and what each one means. I would be interested in finding out how she came across this information; as in all my research, before TSI and after joining; I've never seen anyone to claim to know the true meaning behind all the variations of colors of orbs. Until that is, I read this book.

So, at this point I've read quite a bit of the book, and disagreed with more of it. It's starting to the point where we learn of many of her personal experiences; which are passed off as proof. It is at this time, that I realized just about everyone she associates with is either a) clairvoyant b) clairaudiant, c) psychic d) all of the above. Everyone. Period. Melba apparently lives in a very special town, with no average Joe's, but instead in the worlds hotbed of psychic activity. It must be the fluoride.

The book continues, defining things arbitrarily, cramming vibrational frequencies down your throat, speaking of many proof positive photo's she has gotten, yet never shown. Also, vibrational frequencies.
No seriously guys, you are vibrating right now, in frequencies. It's there. I can feel it, can't you. I believe many of her experiences could have been debunked with ease. Such as the insane orb photo's where the whole screen was orbs; where paragraphs earlier, she talked of the mosquito's being out in force. Or the load buzzing come from some trees far away, clearly a portal opening to a different dimension. Or possibly.. a beehive.

In the end, I was quite disappointed in the book. The introduction lead me to believe I'd be reading some quality ghost hunting material. Instead I read the stories of an over excited know-it-all.

I suggest taking a pass on this book.

[pythons69]

thanks for the warning

[Kris]

Will do... I suggest picking up or at least reading "real ghosts, restless spirits and haunted places" by Brad Steiger. It's rather lengthy, but a good read with helpful information and theories.

[jgreenland0153]

Thanks for the review and warning. With the intro you said I would have also bought the book. It's great to get an honest review so I don't waste my time or money. I don't have the book you recommend Kris so I'll ad it to my wish list.