"Ghostly encounters are as old as human history, and are detailed in the Bible and other ancient writings. Stories of hauntings have continued through the Middle Ages and into the modern era. Today, ghost stories continue to fascinate both the superstitious and the skeptical. During the 1800s, it became common for mediums and psychics to claim the ability to contact the dead. Today, paranormal investigators opt for scientific gadgets instead of Ouija boards. Ghost hunters of the 21st century conduct careful research and analysis of haunted sites, seeking evidence of paranormal activity. Haunted Places and Ghostly Encounters describes some of the most notorious haunts from around the world, and also describes the tactics and strategies used by modern ghost hunters"--Back cover.