History's Creepiest Ghost Stories

The earliest known depiction of a ghost dates back to a 3,500-year-old Babylonian tablet that has been among the holdings of the British Museum since the 19th century. Though it has never been publicly exhibited, and it’s small enough to fit in your hand, the clay stone contains detailed directions on how to get rid of ghosts. Myriad cultures around the world revel in describing ghosts, ranging from the Navajo’s “Chindi,” a spirit created by a person’s dying breath, to the numerous apparitions in the plays of William Shakespeare. These stories serve a unique purpose—not necessarily to honor the dead, but to comfort the living. This healthy release may explain why approximately 150 million Americans—almost half the country—believe that ghosts “definitely or probably exist." In words and pictures, this book recounts some of the most famous ghost stories in U.S. history.