Very interesting book on a variety of paranormal experiences. From NDE, out of body experiences and spirit walking and how many outside influence's affect this. There are chapters on the afterlife, possession and UFO phenomenon, among many others. Are some psychological and health problems caused or made worse by the world of spirits? The author explains soul decay, soul travel before and after the death of the body, also how understanding this may help with positive results for autism and PTSD. These are controversial facts that some will disagree with. You have to read it and make your own conclusions. I received this book from Net Galley and Inner Traditions for a honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

An interesting and comprehensive glimpse into many aspects of the spiritual realm outside of our own. It would be a good source for anyone researching near-death experience, multiple personalities, possessions and the mental consequences of those, what happens to the soul after death and more. While a bit dry at times, I found it a good reading experience overall. The author does speak from her own POV and seems to discount current scientific mental health related standards so make of it what you will.

This is an interesting take on spirits. It’s not your usual ghost hunter show perspective with residual energies and the like (it sounds like the author doesn’t believe in that). This is written entirely from the perspective that spirits are angels/dark angels, and various forms of mental illness and disorders such as multiple personality disorders, serial killing/murders, even autistics are possessed by these angels/dark angels and are being influenced by them. The author constantly throughout the entire book gives examples of various cases of those above, including such famous killers such as Gacy, and how certain actions or things they had said could be proof there was something controlling them and what they did. There are also quite a few biblical references throughout the book also offered as proof to the above. This can be a little rough on those who prefer the ghost hunting theories or who aren’t believers of angels or mental disorders being explained in this fashion. I found it beginning to get a little dry on me and harder to read about 2/3 through the book, but it was an interesting read nonetheless and made you really think with the examples offered, whether you believe the author’s theories or not.

Field Guide to the Spirit World: The Science of Angel Power, Discarnate Entities and Demonic Possession by Susan B. Martinez was received direct from the publisher. Being an amateur ghost hunter myself, and having seen the myriad of ghost hunting televisions shows, a field guide seems a perfect thing to have. The book itself was a well written guide that, to me, is hard to describe in that the author describes “ghostly events, demonic possession, etc” in no nonsense ways that show it can be different physical ailments or mental disorders the person has, or not. If you, or someone you buy gifts for has an interest in ghostly phenomena and/or physical ailments, this may be just the book to buy. I recommend a "hard" copy due to trying to search and mark pages is easier.
4 Stars

Field Guide to the Spirit World by Susan B. Martinez, PH.D. is a remarkable eyeopener. This scholarly document forces readers to reevaluate many long-held convictions.

A heartfelt foreword penned by Whitley Strieber leads readers into a world of possibilities many have never considered.

I would submit that Susan Makes an important argument in Field Guide to the Spirit World (Strieber).

Martinez does not simply take a surface tour of so-called supernatural, but instead she delves deeply into each topic, offering support for the facts with numerous real-life examples, all of which are supported by experts she quotes. She covers issues such as earthbound spirits, out of body experiences, multiple personalities, psychic attacks, possession, poltergeists, hauntings, dybbuks, ESP, demons, malignant discarnates, angels, ghosts, possession by evil spirits, extraordinary experiencers, vampire spirits, and much more. This is a text book of the supernatural, overflowing with a daunting amount of information.

Perhaps the most frightening element discussed is possession. According to Martinez, it is more common than current opinion accepts. She goes on to list the many ways people open the doors to intrusion by unwise practices such as drug use.

The most notable aspect of Field Guide to the Spirit Word is its extensive documentation. Not only do these annotations support the validity of the information, but they offer a trail of bread crumbs that readers may follow to further develop their understanding of various metaphysical topics.

Field Guide to the Spirit World deserves serious consideration to those interested in baffling phenomenon.

Rougeskireads

Fab read. Could not put down. Highly recommended to all. Believable characters. Great author. Will be watching out for more titles.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I have had a love and dislike with the spirit world my whole like. I found this while I was looking for books to review for my blog. I see there are things I have missed to try understand the Spirit World. I think about to my encounters after reading this and it made a little more sense, but I still have questions. I know not can be answered about world that still holds a lot of mysteries.