Hello, everyone.

I hate to make my first post a request, but I'm going mad trying to locate a certain book I checked out of my local library about ~10 years ago and which has since disappeared. I don't remember the author or title, but I'll tell you all I can about it. I would LOVE to have a copy again and am searching desperately.

It was a hardcover, and if I remember correctly it came out in the late 70's, maybe earlier, maybe later. No dust jacket, just a plain (black?) older hardcover. It dealt with general strange-but-true, mysterious-world, unexplained type subjects. The author was apparently British, and the first chapter mentioned him visiting a neighbor or aunt in a small English village who called herself a witch, or at least did some dowsing. I think this progressed to a general discussion of ley lines all over the map of England.

Another chapter dealt with the story of the Fox sisters who helped create modern spiritualism. Another chapter - which absolutely fascinated me at the time - dealt with a young woman who was suffering from multiple personalities, and all the trouble which accompanied her condition. I think more general topics like poltergeists and psychic phenomena were also discussed.

That's about it. Not much to go on, but it's driving me crazy. If anyone knows what it might be, PLEASE post, pm me, or (better) email me. I'll be happy to buy your copy or look online for it.

One note: It's not 'A History of the Occult' by Colin Wilson.

Thanks for any help,

heinlein99

Sorry can't help you but welcome to U-M heinlein99.

Thank you. I realized the book thing was a long shot but I had to ask here.

Nice board - I wish I had more time to look around in it.

[quote name='heinlein99' date='Sep 30 2007, 08:45 AM' post='1912198']
Thank you. I realized the book thing was a long shot but I had to ask here.

not a long shot just a shot in the dark try Occult Bibliography: An Annotated List of Books Published in English, 1971 ...
By Thomas C. Clarie i think this might be it peace out wolfieboy

Thanks for the tip. The original book didn't 'read' like a bibliography, but I've made a note of this title just in case.

Your description sounds alot like Mysteries by Colin Wilson

Yes it does sound like a Colin Wilson book.
It's not 'Poltergeist' by him is it?

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking into these as possibilities.

Could it have possibly been part of the "Time-Life" series? As I recall, they had a series of books that came out dealing with the unexplained about twenty years ago and was done up as a sort of "Encyclopedia" of the unexplained. Perhaps you happened upon on one edition of it?

The book was indeed Mysteries by Colin Wilson. I bought a filthy but complete & cheap copy from Amazon used, and am now reading through it.

Thanks a lot to everyone who suggested titles, but especially to Ironngutt who got it right.

I can't believe you guys steered me to the correct book - out of possibly hundreds - just based on my meager little description.

You guys rock!

Thanks again,

me

I'm glad you found the right book at last!

It's an interesting read. From memory It centres around the theory that the human psyche is made up of a hierachy of personalities, and how these personalities interact with each other and with reality. It touches on all sorts of paranormal phenomena.

I guess that's one more to your book collection, and a classic too.

Glad to be of help.

me