Caryn Day-Suarez

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Who doesn't love a good ghost story?, May 5, 2007
By Heather Froeschl (Callaway, Virginia) - See all my reviews


From the pages of FATE Magazine, Andrew Honigman has compiled a wonderful collection of true personal accounts of contact with the Hereafter. For the past 50 years, FATE has featured the letters of its readers in a most popular column, My Proof of Survival. Here, readers share their own stories of encounters with spirits of all kinds. In this collection of 145 stories, Andrew Honigman has collected the best of the best.

The book is broken into chapters that reflect the story messages, with topics from Messages - communications from the other side, to Blessings - gifts from the departed. The stories cover every imaginable spirit encounter - apparitions, signs, dreams, spirit heroes, haunted houses, and even animal spirits. Some of the stories are touching and sweet, while others are downright frightening. The publisher of FATE magazine insists that all stories in this selection are true; the policy is to have the authors sign an affidavit that they are. This fact lends credence to the book, offering a form of proof that these things do happen.

Readers will likely find several stories that they will connect with for various reasons; my own personal favorite being a story titled, "A Walk in the Park." With so many stories to choose from, it may be difficult to narrow it down. This is a book that you will pick up again and again and never grow tired of. Who doesn't love a good ghost story? Especially when they are from the files of FATE Magazine.

Caryn's short story is one of the several in this book. Check it out!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Proof of Survival: Personal Accounts of Contact With the Hereafter
By Andrew Honigman
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (December 2003)
Pages: 312 - Price: $12.95

Review by Lee Prosser - leep@ghostvillage.com
Ghostvillage.com review

Andrew Honigman has compiled and edited a remarkable collection of personal accounts concerned with contact with the hereafter. These accounts are taken from the case files of FATE Magazine. A nonfiction work rich in theme and substance, My Proof of Survival will greatly interest readers of the paranormal.

The book has an informative introduction followed by many chapters examining the contacts with the supernatural. A chapter heading is given, followed by the true accounts. Chapter 1 is titled "Messages" and examines communications from the other side. Chapter 2 is titled "Apparitions" and examines return visits by the departed. Chapter 3 is titled "Warnings" and examines those saved by the dead. Chapter 4 is titled "Unfinished Business" and examines the promises kept and tasks completed after death. Chapters which follow are "Children and Ghosts," "Visions," "From Long Ago," Companions," "Permanent Occupations," "Restless Spirits," "Curtain Calls," and "Blessings." An afterword concludes this finely crafted collection of true events.

There is much to recommend in this book. It is accurate, enjoyable reading, and the facts given and examined hold the reader's interest. Some of the accounts are a couple of pages long which means there is much to read in this book, and different experiences to be shared with the reading audience. This is a true ghost story collection with class!

For instance, the chapter titled "Blessings" discusses gifts from the departed. Its memorable accounts include "My Father's Message," "The Blue Sweater," "Mother Insisted," "Angelic Answers," "The Bookmark," the memorable "A Gift From India," among others. "A Gift From India" is a classic account of its kind.

In the chapter titled "Restless Spirits," the reader will discover such accounts as "Spectral Lovers" and "Vision in the Cottage." There is "The Comeback" and "Diana" in the chapter titled "Apparitions."

These 12 chapters in My Proof of Survival hold many treats and surprises for the reading audience. Those with a keen interest in cases of animal survival in the hereafter will find the chapter on "Companions" highly intriguing reading with such accounts as "The Phantom Cat," "Pepper," "My Friend, The Medium," and "Poncho."

The chapters titled "Apparitions," "Unfinished Business" and "Children and Ghosts" will also appeal to a wide reading audience. The account "Little Boots" from "Children and Ghosts" is one fine example that highlights the overall straight-forward, honest approach of the book as a whole, and will remain in the reader's mind long after having read this account.

Andrew Honigman has done an excellent job in editing and compiling this book. My Proof of Survival is not only highly recommended reading but is also a must-have reference book for those interested in the paranormal. This book is worth your time and money.