You can’t study ghosts without also taking a close look at history. There seem to be few rules as to how hauntings work and where the supernatural can be found, but we do see trends, and we do know hotspots. Wherever history, especially tragic history, left its mark, ghosts seem to follow. If this holds true (and I think it does given the evidence), then historic battlefields are among the world’s most haunted locales.<
This is a closer look at history than I’ve done with my previous books.
In researching and writing Ghosts of War, I was somewhat surprised at how some people found the notion of haunted battle sites as dishonorable. Nothing could be further from the truth! First, it’s possible there are no tortured or discarnate souls wandering these battle grounds at all. In many instances, the hauntings seem to be residual — meaning such a powerful event took place that it left a permanent mark on the area, and for some reason some people are able to pick up on it. In other cases, these ghosts of soldiers seem bound by duty to keep their watch — ensuring the safety of their fort, their comrades, and their country. No matter the cause of the restless spirits, the effect is that we are forced to look back into history and understand why these men and women fought and died. Sometimes we can even figure out who these ghosts were in life — taking them out of some cold statistical category and giving them a name, a place of birth, family, friends, and a story that comes with each human being. Paranormal investigating is always important work, but when it comes to exploring spirits of history, the work almost becomes sacred.
Published:
August 2006
ISBN 1-56414-889-0
New Page Books
U.S. $14.99
236 pages
What They’re Saying About Ghosts of War
“History is not dead and gone. Using Belanger’s concise information, you may be able to personally experience ‘the past’ yourself. Do not approach these hallowed grounds lightly.”
-Joshua P. Warren, author of Pet Ghosts and President of www.lemurteam.com
“The tales of the battles alone make Ghosts of War a most worthwhile addition to any military history buff’s library, but the ghosts add extra spice.”
-William Weir, author of 50 Battles That Changed the World and 50 Military Leaders Who Changed the World