The Book of Dreams and Ghosts: 78 strange tales of demons, ghosts, and poltergeists from Andrew Lang

The Book of Dreams and Ghosts (by Andrew Lang, posted here in its entirety on the Public Domain Review) brings together 78 unusual stories, ranging from a demon encounter in 17th-century Devon to a more modern poltergeist haunting in China. Lang balanced a deep curiosity about the mysterious with a naturally questioning mind. He offers commentary on each story, sometimes challenging eyewitness accounts and at other times critiquing the outright dismissal by scientists.

Lang's interest in ghosts and dreams began early in his life. He explains that he remembers being frightened by vivid images of ghostly figures, inspired by the gothic tales he read as a child. Even as he grew older, Lang never fully accepted or rejected the supernatural. In the preface to The Book of Dreams and Ghosts, he