"Bell Witch: in Myth and Memory" by Rick Gregory

 While at the spectacular Bell Witch Festival, I picked up Rick Gregory's book directly from him!

Rick is one of the volunteers who helps out with the play, and he announced before the play that he was selling and signing his book, AND he declared that "The Witch wants you to buy the book!"

His volume was available at the merchandise booth, and sales benefit putting on the festival each year.  You know I had to buy a copy!

Rick was a lot of fun to talk to, and he openly said that he is a skeptic.  Still, his book doesn't come off as overly or totally anti-believer.

The book really is an explanation of how our folklore and stories passed around in our communities and among our families evolve and even take on a life of their own.  Gregory shows early on in the book that the Bell Witch story is VERY similar to other regional ghost stories, like "Old Nance" and the "Epworth Ghost".  In fact, as the author set out the details of Old Nance, I thought to myself, if these were copyrighted stories, one of the authors could easily sue for plagiarism.  

Rick Gregory does give a brief overview of the legend, and he talks about things to see and do in Adams.  Also included are lists of books, articles and movies on the Bell Witch.  This is definitely a book to add to your collection of Bell Witch Books.