Mrs. Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester Repeating Arms fortune, lost her one-month-old daughter to a rare disease. Fourteen years later her husband passed away from tuberculosis. Seeking a psychic for answers, she was told a curse was put on her family by those killed with the Winchester rifle. The psychic told her to move west and build continuously on a house to appease the spirits. She would do as the psychic instructed, and over the 38 years she lived in San Jose, California, she built a 160-room Victorian mansion, with stairs that lead nowhere, a door that opens onto a 15-foot drop into the garden, and skylights in the floor. This biography starts with Oliver F. Winchester and his invention, then follows Sarah Winchester from her marriage to her death. It explores the myths surrounding her, as well as the facts that rarely come to light.--From publisher description.

“Details the extraordinary life of Oliver Winchester, the company, and its rapid rise and slow fall as told by a distant family descendant.”—American Gunsmith Arguably the world’s most famous firearm, the Winchester Repeating Rifle was sought after by a cast of characters ranging from the settlers of the American West to the Ottoman Empire’s Army. Laura Trevelyan, a descendant of the Winchester family, offers an engrossing personal history of the colorful New England clan responsible for the creation and manufacture of the “Gun that Won the West.” Trevelyan chronicles the rise and fortunes of a great American arms dynasty, from Oliver Winchester’s involvement with the Volcanic Arms Company in 1855 through the turbulent decades of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. She explores the evolution of an iconic, paradigm-changing weapon that has become a part of American culture; a longtime favorite of collectors and gun enthusiasts that has been celebrated in fiction, glorified in Hollywood, and applauded in endorsements from the likes of Annie Oakley, Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway, and Native American tribesmen who called it “the spirit gun.” “[A] detailed but accessible look at the life, times and commerce of Oliver Winchester—Trevelyan’s great great great grandfather—and his many descendants of both the human and firearms varieties . . . Whether you’re a fan of firearms or simply of American history, there is much to enjoy and learn in this easy-to-read and well-footnoted volume.”—American Shooting Journal “The book is beautifully illustrated, with fascinating photos of the Winchester family, and with well-known historical figures—including the Native American leader Geronimo and President Theodore Roosevelt—clutching their repeating rifles.”—Times Literary Supplement

15-year-old Jesse longs to be a news photographer. What better way to get started than by sneaking into the haunted Winchester House and snapping photos? Little does he know the 1906 San Francisco earthquake is about to strike!

On October 22, 1844, thousands of men, women and children, dressed in Ascension Robes, gather on a desolate, freezing hillside outside Boston to greet the end of the world. Among the crowd is terrified five-year-old, Sarah Pardee, for whom this is the beginning journey to extraordinary fame and notoriety. That night, Sarah is rescued by the cults founder, William Miller, and by Caty and Maggie Fox, who become her friends as they travel their own path to become Americas most distinguished spirit rappers interpreting rapping sounds in haunted houses. As for Sarah, she will go on to become Mrs. William Wirt Winchester, of Winchester rifle fame, one of the richest women in America. She will lose a daughter after only 42 days of life, an event that blights all her remaining days. Guided by an obsession with the spirit world, she will move to the San Jose, California and build one of Americas strangest and most famous structures. But first she will attendand completely disruptthe Charles Street School and then Mary Lyons Mount Holyoke Female Seminary (later Mount Holyoke College), she will meet Edwin Booth, Americas most famous Shakespearean actor, brother to John Wilkes Booth, who presides over a spiritualist meeting where Sarah first communicates with her deceased daughter. Thereafter she will be visited by a spirit guide who directs her building of the massive, controversial monument on the west coast. The Possession of Sarah Winchester tells this compelling story in her own words, revealing child/woman caught in the web of the rise of spiritualism in nineteenth century America. It portrays a brilliant womans mind inundated by repression, grief, and guilt over her familys creation of a weapon that destroyed Native American lives and culture.

50 Masterpieces of Murder Mystery & Detective Fiction (Vol. 2) presents an unparalleled amalgamation of narrative brilliance, showcasing the diverse range of literary styles and themes that have defined and evolved the genres of murder mystery and detective fiction. The collection brings together an astonishing array of works from the nineteenth to the early twentieth centuries, adopting perspectives from gothic horror to whimsical mystery and hard-boiled detective stories. This volume not only highlights the versatility and depth of the genres but also features standout pieces that have become keystones in the literary canon, weaving together intricate plots, captivating characters, and rich atmospheric settings without attributing prominence to a single author, instead celebrating the collective achievements. The anthology stands as a testament to the ever-changing landscape of mystery and detective literature, offering readers an unprecedented journey through its developmental milestones. The contributing authors, including luminaries like Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Edgar Allan Poe, and Fyodor Dostoyevsky, among others, are pivotal figures whose works have significantly influenced the literary world. This collection provides insight into the historical and cultural backdrops that these authors navigated, reflecting a range of societal concerns and human experiences through the lens of crime and investigation. These stories not only conform to the literary movements of their times but surpass them, creating a mosaic of narratives that transcend cultural and temporal boundaries. The diverse backgrounds of the authors enrich the anthology, bringing together a spectrum of philosophical, ethical, and psychological perspectives that underpin the core of murder mystery and detective fiction. For aficionados of literature, 50 Masterpieces of Murder Mystery & Detective Fiction (Vol. 2) offers a unique opportunity to explore the complexities and intricacies of human nature and societal dynamics through a collection that showcases the finest in the genre. This volume is an essential addition to the libraries of readers seeking to immerse themselves in the world of suspense, mystery, and intellectual challenge. It invites an educational journey that spans various landscapes of human emotion and logic, encouraging a deepened appreciation for the art of storytelling. Each page promises an enlightening experience, culminating in a richer understanding and a renewed curiosity about what truly makes a masterpiece in murder mystery and detective fiction.

STRANGE STRANGE THINGS: 550+ Supernatural Mysteries, Macabre & Horror Classics is a monumental assembly of narratives that traverses the shadowy boundaries of the supernatural, the uncanny, and the outright terrifying. This collection boasts an unparalleled diversity in literary styles, encompassing the gothic tales of the 18th century, the psychological horror of the 19th century, and the cosmic dread of the early 20th century. The anthology highlights the genre's evolution, featuring seminal works that have shaped our understanding of fear and fascination with the unknown. Each piece, carefully selected for its contribution to the tapestry of horror and supernatural literature, stands as a testament to the genre's richness and complexity, showcasing the stylistic innovation and depth of insight that horror and macabre tales can offer. The backgrounds of the contributors to STRANGE STRANGE THINGS are as varied as the themes they explore, encompassing renowned authors from different eras and cultures, each bringing their unique voice and perspective to the collection. From the psychological realism of Henry James to the dark romanticism of Edgar Allan Poe, and the pioneering science fiction of H.G. Wells, this anthology not only charts the historical and cultural shifts within the genre but also reflects the broader human condition through its exploration of fear, desire, and the supernatural. The collective contributions of these authors provide a rich, multidimensional experience of the macabre, enlivened by their diverse cultural backgrounds and literary traditions, thereby enriching the reader's understanding of the multifaceted nature of horror and supernatural literature. STRANGE STRANGE THINGS is an indispensable volume for both aficionados and new readers of the horror and supernatural genres, offering a comprehensive journey through the labyrinth of humanity's deepest fears and darkest fantasies. This collection serves as a unique educational tool, broadening the readers literary horizons and deepening their appreciation for the craft of storytelling. It invites readers to immerse themselves in a world where the extraordinary confronts the ordinary, where the boundary between the known and the unknown blurs, and to explore the profound psychological and philosophical questions that these stories evoke. For anyone seeking to understand the breadth and depth of the supernatural in literature, STRANGE STRANGE THINGS is an unrivaled compendium that promises endless hours of fascination and awe.