A Brief History of Ghosts and Spirits

This chapter provides a historical overview of ghosts and spirits, touching on their various names and conceptualizations. It explores worldwide traditions of ancestor interaction, the influence of the book 'Despectress', and the impact of cultural conceptions of ghosts in the United States. The chapter also delves into theological beliefs, the role of sleep paralysis, and the origins of the spiritualist movement and its connection to the Civil War.