“A Demon-Haunted Land is absorbing, gripping, and utterly fascinating... Beautifully written, without even a hint of jargon or pretension, it casts a significant and unexpected new light on the early phase of the Federal Republic of Germany’s history. Black’s analysis of the copious, largely unknown archival sources on which the book is based is unfailingly subtle and intelligent.” —Richard J. Evans, The New Republic In the aftermath of World War II, a succession of mass supernatural events swept through war-torn Germany. A messianic faith healer rose to extraordinary fame, prayer groups performed exorcisms, and enormous crowds traveled to witness apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Most strikingly, scores of people accused their neighbors of witchcraft, and found themselves in turn hauled into court on charges of defamation, assault, and even murder. What linked these events, in the wake of an annihilationist war and the Holocaust, was a widespread preoccupation with evil. While many histories emphasize Germany’s rapid transition from genocidal dictatorship to liberal democracy, A Demon-Haunted Land places in full view the toxic mistrust, profound bitterness, and spiritual malaise that unfolded alongside the economic miracle. Drawing on previously unpublished archival materials, acclaimed historian Monica Black argues that the surge of supernatural obsessions stemmed from the unspoken guilt and shame of a nation remarkably silent about what was euphemistically called “the most recent past.” This shadow history irrevocably changes our view of postwar Germany, revealing the country’s fraught emotional life, deep moral disquiet, and the cost of trying to bury a horrific legacy.

Leading paranormal experts John Zaffis and Rosemary Ellen Guiley plumb the depths of bizarre phenomena involving demonic spirits, the restless dead, demon boxes, dybbukim, Djinn, 9/11 World Trade Center disaster relics, and more. They explore haunted homes and landscapes teeming with spirits and entities who pester and terrorize both people and animals, and defiantly refuse to let go. In addition, the authors discuss exclusive, never-before-told stories deeply personal to John Zaffis about urgent messages he has received from his famous demonologist uncle, Ed Warren, who is on the Other Side. What is Ed saying about John, his work—and perhaps even the future of demonology? John and Rosemary take a unique look inside the world of phenomena that is sometimes downright frightening. Their views bring light on the dark, which opens the mind up to other possibilities in this universe of hauntings. I’ve looked up to John Zaffis for years and have learned new theories and tactics through his research. Let your mind wander in Demon Haunted and be a part of the experience to other happenings. --Nick Groff, star of Paranormal Lockdown John Zaffis and Rosemary Ellen Guiley are both vast treasure troves of knowledge on the subject of the paranormal. Together, their expertise and experience combine to deliver a book that informs, enlightens and in some instances, terrifies. You have been forewarned... --Brian J. Cano, star of Haunted Collector

The Pulitzer Prize-winning look at the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe

A prescient warning of a future we now inhabit, where fake news stories and Internet conspiracy theories play to a disaffected American populace “A glorious book . . . A spirited defense of science . . . From the first page to the last, this book is a manifesto for clear thought.”—Los Angeles Times How can we make intelligent decisions about our increasingly technology-driven lives if we don’t understand the difference between the myths of pseudoscience and the testable hypotheses of science? Pulitzer Prize-winning author and distinguished astronomer Carl Sagan argues that scientific thinking is critical not only to the pursuit of truth but to the very well-being of our democratic institutions. Casting a wide net through history and culture, Sagan examines and authoritatively debunks such celebrated fallacies of the past as witchcraft, faith healing, demons, and UFOs. And yet, disturbingly, in today's so-called information age, pseudoscience is burgeoning with stories of alien abduction, channeling past lives, and communal hallucinations commanding growing attention and respect. As Sagan demonstrates with lucid eloquence, the siren song of unreason is not just a cultural wrong turn but a dangerous plunge into darkness that threatens our most basic freedoms. Praise for The Demon-Haunted World “Powerful . . . A stirring defense of informed rationality. . . Rich in surprising information and beautiful writing.”—The Washington Post Book World “Compelling.”—USA Today “A clear vision of what good science means and why it makes a difference. . . . A testimonial to the power of science and a warning of the dangers of unrestrained credulity.”—The Sciences “Passionate.”—San Francisco Examiner-Chronicle

Pirates! Here are tales of the seven seas (and beyond) by some of the greats of nautical fiction. From classics like "Treasure Island" and "The Ghost Pirates, to pulp tales by Robert E. Howard and J. Allan Dunn to modern swashbucklers set in fantasy worlds, "The Pirate Story Megapack" is a thrill-a-minute compilation of more than 3,100 pages of great pirate tales, both historical and set in fantasy world. And not all pirates sail the seas... Included are: THE GOLDEN DOLPHIN, by J. Allan Dunn A SET OF ROGUES, by Frank Barrett THE OFFSHORE PIRATE, by F. Scott Fitzgerald A BRUSH WITH THE CHINESE, by G.A. Henty THE MERCHANTMAN AND THE PIRATE, by Charles Reade THE TREASURE OF THE SEAS, by James De Mille THE PIRATE WOMAN, by Captain Dingle THE MAROONER, by J. Allan Dunn TREASURE ISLAND, by Robert Louis Stevenson OUR PIRATE HOARD, by Thomas A. Janvier THE PIRATE, by Frederick Marryat THE ROVER’S SECRET, by Harry Collingwood THE MADMAN AND THE PIRATE, by R.M. Ballantyne WOLVES OF THE SEA, by Randall Parrish THE IRON PIRATE, by Max Pemberton FORCED LUCK, by J. Allan Dunn THE PIRATE SHARK, by Elliott Whitney THE FROZEN PIRATE, by W. Clark Russell THE PIRATE ISLAND, by Harry Collingwood THE GHOST OF CAPTAIN BRAND, by Howard Pyle BLACK VULMEA’S VENGEANCE, by Robert E. Howard THE GHOST PIRATES, by William Hope Hodgson THE PIRATES OF CALUUR, by John Gregory Betancourt THE BROTHERS LAMMIAT, by John Gregory Betancourt SEA-CHILD, by Cynthia Ward And if you enjoy this volume, don't forget to search your favorite ebook store for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see all the other entries in this great series, covering science fiction, fantasy, horror, mysteries, westerns, classics -- and much, much more!

Redeeming Objects traces the afterlives of things. Out of the rubble of World War II and the Holocaust, the Federal Republic of Germany emerged, and with it a foundational myth of the "economic miracle." In this narrative, a new mass consumer society based on the production, export, and consumption of goods would redeem West Germany from its Nazi past and drive its rebirth as a truly modern nation. Turning this narrative on its head, Natalie Scholz shows that West Germany's consumerist ideology took shape through the reinvention of commodities previously tied to Nazism into symbols of Germany's modernity, economic supremacy, and international prestige. Postwar advertising, film, and print culture sought to divest mass-produced goods--such as the Volkswagen and modern interiors--of their fascist legacies. But Scholz demonstrates that postwar representations were saturated with unacknowledged references to the Nazi past. Drawing on a vast array of popular and highbrow publications and films, Redeeming Objects adds a new perspective to debates about postwar reconstruction, memory, and consumerism.

Shakti and Shakta by Arthur Avalon (John Woodroffe) is a profound exploration of Hindu philosophy and spirituality. The book delves deep into the concept of Shakti, the divine feminine energy, and its relationship with Shakta, the worshipper. With its profound insights and in-depth exploration of Hindu philosophy, Shakti and Shakta is a valuable resource for those interested in spirituality and Eastern philosophy. Dive into the wisdom of Shakti and Shakta and deepen your understanding of Hindu spirituality. It's a book that enlightens and inspires. So why read Shakti and Shakta? Because it provides a deep and insightful exploration of Hindu philosophy and spirituality. Order your copy today.

Far from the storm centers of the American civil rights movement, off-camera and outside most reporters' beats, countless, nameless individuals reached their own accords with the era's massive changes. Unsure what was expected of them--or even who expected it--blacks and whites taught themselves how to live and work in a new world, often not of their own making. Drawing on the author's long career as a southern journalist, this series of closely related sketches, stories, and essays recounts what James calls the "hidden story of the civil rights movement." Set mainly in Georgia, North Carolina, and Alabama from the late 1950s to the early 1970s, these pieces tell of the individuals and localities whose identities are lost in the widely accepted history of the movement. James also depicts many of the era's well-known figures, revealing private sides known to very few outside political and journalistic circles. In his profiles of famous public figures from Barry Goldwater and Lady Bird Johnson to Jimmy Carter and Jesse Jackson, James offers a challenging mix of comments and criticisms related to ethics, ambition, and public spirit. In these pieces he also imparts the ambience of the hard-drinking, hard-talking relationship between journalists and public figures that has since evaporated into the cynicism of press packets, photo opportunities, and exposés. From his chronicle of a decade-long battle for the political control of one rural Alabama county to his vignette on a White Mothers of America protest, James provides new perspectives on the people and places, confrontations and compromises that have shaped the New South.

A vigorous strand of interest in the occult, the spooky and the mysterious has been part of New Zealand's history since 1840.Shadow Worlds takes a lively look at communicating with spirits, secret ritualistic societies, the supernatural, the New Age — everything from The Golden Dawn and Rosicrucianism to Spiritualism, witchcraft and Radiant Living — and introduces the reader to a cast of fascinating characters who were generally true believers and sometimes con artists.It' s a fresh and novel take on the history of a small colonial society that was not quite as ploddingly conformist as we may have imagined.

Through the diaries and personal papers of a German woman, Vera Conrad, this book documents her wartime experiences and deepens our understanding of the complex experiences of trauma and grief that National Socialist supporters experienced. Building on scholarship about mourning and widowhood that largely focuses on state policies and public discourses, This Horrible Uncertainty provides an interpretive framework of people’s perceptions of events and their capacity to respond to them. Using a history of emotions approach, Erika Quinn establishes that keeping the diary allowed Conrad to develop different selves in response to her responsibilities, fear, and grief after her husband was declared missing in 1943.