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National Geographic Guide to the World's Supernatural Places: More Than 250 Spine-Chilling Destinations Around the Globe Hardcover – September 2, 2014
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"The brief bites (with excellent photos and art) visit haunted houses, vampire lairs, witches’ covens and UFO “hot spots” while addressing legends and myths." —The Sacramento Bee
"[A] richly illustrated homage to all things spooky." —Chicago Tribune
"[A] richly illustrated homage to all things spooky." —Chicago Tribune
About the Author
An expert in the field of astrology, mythology, and humanistic and transpersonal psychology, SARAH BARTLETT is the author of twenty psycho-spiritual nonfiction books, including the bestselling Mythology Bible and A Brief History of Angels and Demons. She has served as astrologer for the London Evening Standard and currently contributes as astrologer to BBC radio. She lives in London and the south of France.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By
J. Lesley
TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on August 21, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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This is a book presented by a quality publisher so you could safely expect to find a quality product. In this case you would be correct. I didn't know exactly what to expect because the supernatural can certainly be presented from many different angles, not all of them realistic or even truthful. This is a book of snapshots of more than 250 destinations which fall into one of the general categories covered by the book. I have always had an interest in the supernatural, but I don't by any means believe everything I hear. This was a fascinating reading experience.
The book is divided into six categories: Haunted Places, Vampire Haunts, Witchcraft and the Dark Arts, Sacred Places, UFO Hot Spots, and Myths & Legends. Each location has its own page with only the Tower of London (as best I recall) having a double page. There is a photograph or illustration for each location and about half the page is taken up with text. There are some pages which mention multiple locations. Some of the site pages have a small box that gives information on when the best time is to visit, but this is not so much travel itinerary as a hint for increasing the enjoyment of the visit. The page size is approximately 8" wide x 8.75" tall, so roughly square. I found the print to be rather small in some instances and a little hard to read unless I was in very good light. Each category location begins in England or Scotland and progresses around the world in a specific pattern.
If you are at all interested in this subject matter, you can't help but find vast amounts of information, most likely information you didn't know. I was fascinated by unusual things, like the most curious connection between rotting fruit and vampires in Serbia, the stone maze thought to be from 3000 B.C.Read more ›
The book is divided into six categories: Haunted Places, Vampire Haunts, Witchcraft and the Dark Arts, Sacred Places, UFO Hot Spots, and Myths & Legends. Each location has its own page with only the Tower of London (as best I recall) having a double page. There is a photograph or illustration for each location and about half the page is taken up with text. There are some pages which mention multiple locations. Some of the site pages have a small box that gives information on when the best time is to visit, but this is not so much travel itinerary as a hint for increasing the enjoyment of the visit. The page size is approximately 8" wide x 8.75" tall, so roughly square. I found the print to be rather small in some instances and a little hard to read unless I was in very good light. Each category location begins in England or Scotland and progresses around the world in a specific pattern.
If you are at all interested in this subject matter, you can't help but find vast amounts of information, most likely information you didn't know. I was fascinated by unusual things, like the most curious connection between rotting fruit and vampires in Serbia, the stone maze thought to be from 3000 B.C.Read more ›
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By
J. Chambers
HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWER on August 24, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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The book isn't just about scary places, but there are plenty enough locations with ghosts - often malevolent - and vampires to give anyone the creeps even if you think you don't believe in that sort of thing. Author Sarah Bartlett has chosen places from around the world, many of them well known, and many of them not so well known except to locals. The places are organized by chapters, with the chapter titles being Haunted Places, Vampire Haunts, Witchcraft and the Dark Arts, Sacred Places, UFO Hot Spots, and Myths and Legends.
In the first chapter, "Haunted Places" the author describes locations like medieval castles, cemeteries, deserted towns, and battlefields that have been reported as haunted. One of these, the Tower of London, is claimed to be the most haunted building in England. In the US, events that occurred in the Hull House in Chicago are said to have inspired the novel and movie Rosemary's Baby. For Southern Californians and tourists, there's a list of "5 Haunted Hot Spots in Hollywood."
"Vampire Haunts" is the shortest chapter in the book, but it's by far the most gruesome. Of course, Bran Castle in Transylvania, Romania - once occupied by the infamous Vlad the Impaler - is listed, since it's the inspiration for Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic novel Dracula. Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is another grisly location, where a legendary Lightning Bird shape-shifts into a seductive young woman to lure men to their deaths and then drink their blood.
In the "Witchcraft" chapter, the two locations that stood out the most for me were Salem, Massachusetts, site of the infamous witch trials; and Hellam, located in York, Pennsylvania, which was once rumored to be a portal to hell.Read more ›
In the first chapter, "Haunted Places" the author describes locations like medieval castles, cemeteries, deserted towns, and battlefields that have been reported as haunted. One of these, the Tower of London, is claimed to be the most haunted building in England. In the US, events that occurred in the Hull House in Chicago are said to have inspired the novel and movie Rosemary's Baby. For Southern Californians and tourists, there's a list of "5 Haunted Hot Spots in Hollywood."
"Vampire Haunts" is the shortest chapter in the book, but it's by far the most gruesome. Of course, Bran Castle in Transylvania, Romania - once occupied by the infamous Vlad the Impaler - is listed, since it's the inspiration for Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic novel Dracula. Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is another grisly location, where a legendary Lightning Bird shape-shifts into a seductive young woman to lure men to their deaths and then drink their blood.
In the "Witchcraft" chapter, the two locations that stood out the most for me were Salem, Massachusetts, site of the infamous witch trials; and Hellam, located in York, Pennsylvania, which was once rumored to be a portal to hell.Read more ›
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By
J. Wiles Parker
VINE VOICE on August 27, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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There's something about receiving a National Geographic book that is part sheer joy and part curiosity. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that you know you're going to get a quality product and, while there isn't generally a lot of mystery about what the book contains, there is a desire to discover. The Guide to the World's Supernatural Places does not disappoint on any score. Yes, I know I rated a four star.
The main reason is not the quality of the book, but rather the fact that reading it cover to cover gets a bit, um, exhausting. While the author does a great job of explaining the different locations and why they fit the bill, there is a sense of repetition in the writing. Sometimes the overviews were too generic, to the point where I almost lost interest. There is, finally, the subject matter itself being potentially inappropriate for some. Due to some of the illustrations and descriptions being slightly graphic, this book may not be suitable for all ages or dispositions. Something to be aware of.
If you're looking for a book that manages to be spooky and provides overviews of places that are connected to witchcraft, aliens, ghosts, vampires, or sacred, this is a good book to consider. It is a well constructed book that provides the right atmosphere in each section while being somewhat if not fully informative.
The main reason is not the quality of the book, but rather the fact that reading it cover to cover gets a bit, um, exhausting. While the author does a great job of explaining the different locations and why they fit the bill, there is a sense of repetition in the writing. Sometimes the overviews were too generic, to the point where I almost lost interest. There is, finally, the subject matter itself being potentially inappropriate for some. Due to some of the illustrations and descriptions being slightly graphic, this book may not be suitable for all ages or dispositions. Something to be aware of.
If you're looking for a book that manages to be spooky and provides overviews of places that are connected to witchcraft, aliens, ghosts, vampires, or sacred, this is a good book to consider. It is a well constructed book that provides the right atmosphere in each section while being somewhat if not fully informative.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By
Suzinne Barrett
VINE VOICE on September 11, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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Published by National Geographic, this book is perfect for young adults because it's illustration heavy and keeps things to the point. The good is it covers a wide range of natural/extraterrestrial and supernatural phenonoma around the world. Many undiscovered topics are offered here like candy to a kid with many cavities. The book would be a treasure trove to someone looking for an overview. Love the look and feel of this beautifully printed hardcover book. Excellent illustrations and photographs spill out on seductively smooth pages.
The negative side is the lack of depth, but considering the very wide inclusion of subject matter that is a small quibble. Overall, would consider the book akin to "Nat Geo Lite." Not as serious as your usual National Geographic publication and not nearly as comprehensive.
Still, this would make an excellent gift for Halloween, a Halloween birthday, and considering our current state of "vampire mania," just about any 12-20 year old around. For the price, quite the titillating grab.
The negative side is the lack of depth, but considering the very wide inclusion of subject matter that is a small quibble. Overall, would consider the book akin to "Nat Geo Lite." Not as serious as your usual National Geographic publication and not nearly as comprehensive.
Still, this would make an excellent gift for Halloween, a Halloween birthday, and considering our current state of "vampire mania," just about any 12-20 year old around. For the price, quite the titillating grab.
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