A near-obsessive pursuit of ghost stories and odd superstitions cranks up this serious study of Appalachian tales of the supernatural and their origin in both old-world customs and real historical events. An effort to preserve and record one aspect of a dying way of life, the book relies on interviews and historic documents to search for the facts behind local lore of murder, witchcraft, and weird hauntings. Several campfire-worthy ghost stories are recounted in their entirety—including "The Swinging Gate of Fern Lake Hollow"—and an unexpectedly large number of stories about aliens and UFOs provide an interesting comparison of three-century-old mysteries and those stirred up in comparatively recent times.







"Mountain Mysteries: The Mystic Traditions of Appalachia is a well researched and very entertaining look at Appalachian life, written in a comfortable and comforting tone. Thacker explores just about every facet of folklore and folklife in this wildly interesting book." 
       - Silas House, author of Eli the Good, Clay's Quilt, A Parchment of Leaves, The Coal Tattoo
"Provocative and Rewarding." 
       - Dr. Jan Brunvand, author of The Big Book of Urban Legends and The Study of American Folklore
"It is a book that will enlighten and intrigue." 
       - Dr. Earl Hess, Professor of History, Lincoln Memorial University
"This book goes beyond folklore." 
       - Appalachian Heritage Journal
"Mr. Thacker has done a wonderful job of cataloging and preserving these tales." 
       - Anthony Milhorn, founder of Southern States Paranormal Research Society


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