Rampaging, driven, killing machines. Soulless and dead. Infected and infectious. Zombies. The epidemic of the living dead is stronger than ever in today's pop-culture, but long before exotic viruses, biological warfare, and sinister military experiments brought the dead back to life in our cinemas and on our television screens, there were the dark spells and incantations of the ancient Egyptians, the Sumerians, and the Babylonians.
The concept of ghosts has been an ongoing and universal element in human culture as far back as recorded history can document. In more modern popular culture and entertainment, ghosts are a popular mainstay--from A Christmas Carol and Casper the Friendly Ghost to The Amityville Horror, Ghostbusters, Poltergeist, The Sixth Sense, and Ghost Whisperer. This book comprehensively examines ghost and spirit phenomena in all its incarnations to provide readers with a holistic perspective on the subject . (Syndetics, 2017)
Books -- Locate background information
Locate books for background information.
Books can give you an overview of your topic. You do not necessarily have to read the entire book, just enough to support your assignment. Many of our (print) books will have a link to the table of contents or summary of what the book is about to help you determine if it will be useful. For e-books, you can download individual chapters or entire books (depending on what ebook database you are using).
If you have a specific title or author you are looking for, use the library catalog to locate books or media (e.g. DVD's) on your topic. Books in our collections are a mix of print (paper) and electronic (e-book). From the main library webpage at the tab, or use the box below, to search for books.
Encyclopedias and other background resources
Encyclopedias and Handbooks
Encyclopedias and handbooks are also good for overviews on a subject. Encyclopedias can be general, covering many topics, or subject specific. Handbooks are usually on one subject. Encyclopedia entries are usually short enough to read for an overview. Handbook entries tend to be longer, but are thorough.
Find additional encyclopedias and handbooks from the library catalog.
The Encyclopedia of the Gothic by William Hughes (Editor); David Punter (Editor); Andrew Smith (Editor)
Call Number: PN3435 .E56 2013 v.1 & 2
ISBN: 9781405182904
Publication Date: 2013
The Encylopedia of the Gothic features a series of newly-commissioned essays from experts in Gothic studies that cover all aspects of the Gothic as it is currently taught and researched, along with the development of the genre and its impact on contemporary culture.