What are some great ghost stories?

Well, a great pirate story is 'The Corsair' by Lord Byron. It tells of a pirate's adventures and his love affairs. In terms of great ghost stories, 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' is a good one. Ichabod Crane has his encounter with the Headless Horseman, which is a very spooky figure. Some other pirate stories like 'On Stranger Tides' are full of swashbuckling action and pirate lore.

One great ghost story could be about a haunted mansion where strange noises and apparitions are seen at night. Maybe a family moves in and starts experiencing unexplainable events like doors slamming on their own.

Well, there's a story from the Civil War. There was a plantation that was turned into a military base. People claim to see the ghosts of Confederate soldiers still patrolling the grounds as if they were on guard duty. In World War II, there are stories of ghostly pilots seen in the skies above old airfields. These pilots are believed to be the ones who died in combat but their spirits remain. And in the Vietnam War, there are tales of ghosts in the jungles, perhaps the spirits of those who lost their lives in the thick of the fighting.

A popular campfire ghost story is 'The Bell Witch'. It takes place in Tennessee. The Bell family was haunted by a witch - like entity. It would make strange noises, move objects, and even physically harm some of the family members. The entity was said to be very intelligent and could answer questions. It tormented the family for years. There's also 'The Ghostly Hitchhiker'. A driver picks up a hitchhiker on a lonely road, but when they reach the destination, the hitchhiker vanishes, leaving only a cold spot in the seat. Later, the driver discovers that the hitchhiker had died years ago on that same road.

Some great Christmas ghost stories include those where the ghosts are benevolent. In some stories, the ghosts of departed loved ones return on Christmas to bring comfort and blessings. There are also tales of haunted Christmas trees, where the tree seems to have a spirit within it. It might be a spirit that was attached to the land where the tree was grown or a lost soul seeking warmth and celebration during the festive season. These stories add an element of mystery and the supernatural to the Christmas spirit.

There are tales from the Civil War in the United States as well. For example, in some old forts, people claim to have seen the apparitions of soldiers. These ghosts are often seen walking the ramparts as if still on guard duty. They might be a reminder of the sacrifices made during that war. The stories could be the result of the strong emotions and traumas associated with the battles that took place there.

Well, 'The Monkey's Paw' is a great classic ghost story. It shows how a simple yet mysterious paw can bring about unexpected and often terrifying consequences when wishes are made on it. Also, M. R. James wrote many excellent classic ghost stories. His works are known for their atmospheric settings and spooky happenings. For example, in 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad', the main character experiences some truly eerie events while on a holiday by the sea.

Well, from '50 great ghost stories', there might be a tale of a ghostly figure that appears on a foggy moor. This figure could be the spirit of a lost traveler who met an untimely death there. The story might describe how people who cross the moor at night feel a chill and see a faint shape in the distance. It could also include details about the local legends that surround the moor and how they've been passed down through generations.

One great ghost story might be about a haunted castle. Trolls could have recorded tales of a spectral knight that roams the corridors at midnight. Another could be a story of a ghostly woman in white who appears near an old well. And perhaps there's a story of a poltergeist that haunts a dilapidated house, causing things to move on their own as recorded by the trolls.

There are quite a few notable Great British Ghost Stories. 'Casting the Runes' is a great one. It involves a curse that seems to follow the victim everywhere. The way the story builds up the sense of dread is quite masterful. Another interesting one is 'The Beckoning Fair One'. It tells of a writer who becomes obsessed with an old house and the spectral presence within it. These stories not only scare but also give a glimpse into the cultural and historical aspects of Britain that influenced the creation of such spooky tales.