In the tradition of their Haunting of the Presidents, national bestselling authors Joel Martin and William J. Birnes write The Haunting of America: From The Salem Witch Trials to Harry Houdini, the only book to tell the story of how paranormal events influenced and sometimes even drove political events. In a narrative retelling of American history that begins with the Salem Witch Trials of the seventeenth century, Martin and Birnes unearth the roots of America's fascination with the ghosts, goblins, and demons that possess our imaginations and nightmares. The authors examine the political history of the United States through the lens of the paranormal and investigate the spiritual events that inspired public policy: channelers and mediums who have advised presidents, UFOs that frightened the nation's military into launching nuclear bomber squadrons toward the Soviet Union, out-of-body experiencers deployed to gather sensitive intelligence on other countries, and even spirits summoned to communicate with living politicians.
The Haunting of America is a thrilling exploration of the often unexpected influences of the paranormal on science, medicine, law, government, the military, psychology, theology, death and dying, spirituality, and pop culture.
"The stories in Haunting of America will certainly challenge your belief system and make you rethink what you believe is real."
George Noory, host of Coast to Coast AM
"Anyone interested in ghosts, bogeymen or anything else that goes bump in the night won't want to miss this one. Birnes' and Martin's The Haunting of America says it all. This is the real X-Files, and a frightfully good read!"
Brian Lumley, author of the Necroscope series
"Readers who like Dan Brown will find The Haunting of America a fascinating collection of spectral investigations and historical insights."
