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The Terror That Comes in the Night: An Experience-Centered Study of Supernatural Assault Traditions (Publications of the American Folklore Society) Paperback – September 1, 1989

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 84 ratings

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David Hufford's work exploring the experiential basis for belief in the supernatural, focusing here on the so-called Old Hag experience, a psychologically disturbing event in which a victim claims to have encountered some form of malign entity while dreaming (or awake). Sufferers report feeling suffocated, held down by some "force," paralyzed, and extremely afraid.

The experience is surprisingly common: the author estimates that approximately 15 percent of people undergo this event at some point in their lives. Various cultures have their own name for the phenomenon and have constructed their own mythology around it; the supernatural tenor of many Old Hag stories is unavoidable. Hufford, as a folklorist, is well-placed to investigate this puzzling occurrence.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A brilliant and exciting look at a misunderstood phenomenon." ― Western Folklore

"Fascinating, original, and convincing,
The Terror That Comes in the Night is one of the most significant books on the paranormal. . . . A classic." ― Fate

"Anyone interested in folklore or dream research or bizarre and unexplained phenomena, which are here examined carefully and rationally, will enjoy this volume." ―
American Rationalist

Book Description

A bold step forward in our understanding of parapsychological phenomena, this is the first scholarly investigation of the "incubus" experience.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Pennsylvania Press; Revised ed. edition (September 1, 1989)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 081221305X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0812213058
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1270L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 84 ratings

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David Hufford
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
84 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides well-researched and comprehensive information on night terrors, waking dreams, and other paranormal experiences. They appreciate the clear analysis and explanations, as well as the methodical and objective reasoning. While some parts are interesting, others feel some of the content is too esoteric. Overall, it offers an excellent overview and compilation of the topic.

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5 customers mention "Information quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides well-researched and comprehensive information on night terrors, waking dreams, and related topics. They appreciate the lucid explanations, objective reasoning, and scientific approach the author takes. Overall, readers find the book interesting and informative.

"I read this book from beginning to end. It is very interesting and is certainly one of the most comprehensive books on the topic...." Read more

"...The tone, structure, and information here are VERY academic (in a good way), and it kept me turning the pages...." Read more

"...this book after an experience of my own, and found the analysis and explanations lucid and helpful...." Read more

"...With the benefit of his methodical and objective reasoning, this approach eventually delivers his subject from the tediousness of too much jargon..." Read more

4 customers mention "Interest"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting and engaging. They say it explores a central tenet of paranormal experiences. However, some find some parts to be a bit esoteric. The compilation and overview are excellent.

"...The excellent compilation and overview here cannot be rated anything less than 5-stars...." Read more

"...An engaging exploration of a central tenet of paranormal experiences, from alien abduction to spirit possession." Read more

"It's got it's moments of interest, but I found some of it to be a bit redundant. It" Read more

"Some parts were interesting." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2017
    I read this book from beginning to end. It is very interesting and is certainly one of the most comprehensive books on the topic. However, it is not the best. The reason for this is that the author seems to have overlooked the massive volumes of research and "experimentation" (meaning practical, effective, and proven application of theory) which exists within the body of believers in Jesus.

    We understand full well the origin of "Old Hag" attacks. These are not one source. They are many times demons. Other times, individual humans can project and effect these attacks. This can be done by practitioners of witchcraft or simply by angry people who do not fully understand in their conscious mind what they are doing.

    Anyone wishing to learn more about what is popularly called "deliverance" by those who work to set people free can start with Win Worley or Derek Prince.

    One important thing to understand is the notion of rights. In the spiritual world, there are rights of access. For example, the three young women who lived in a demonized home on top of a hill... It is likely the hill was used in the past as a place of sacrifice to demons (probably considered "spirits" or "gods" by earlier peoples, before the home was ever built.) That is the right of the demons- sacrifice to them. The story of the Philippines shows another right- the photo on the wall of the old woman- that alone is sufficient right for her to enter as she wills.

    Notice carefully how the demons attempted to alter the thoughts of one of the three young women living on the hilltop- to to implant ideas to kill her friends. That is one of the reasons demonic beings attack. They desire to "kill, steal, and destroy." They attack via access using the soul. The body comprises the physical flesh, the intermediary soul, and the spirit. The spirit uses the soul to interact with the body. The attacker seizes control of the soul in order to affect the person. The soul is the seat of the mind, will, and emotions (and more, I'm sure.) To influence will and thought, they seize the soul- and thus render the person attacked unable to move their own body. Without control of the soul, they cannot move their own body.

    * Please understand this as well: When the person attacked thinks they will die or that it is useless to resist, it is very likely these are false notions implanted by the attacker as a means of preventing resistance. Also notice how the name of Jesus is very effective in ending some of these attacks- when the attacked person knew to use it.

    You did include some testimonies from Mormons. I should tell you, many Christians, including myself, go on missions trips and sleep soundly. I have even slept in rooms filled with pagan images and statuettes. Before I found myself there, the Holy Spirit showed me in a dream that the spirits behind those images would desire to harm me- but that He would not allow it! The following week, I travelled to Boston and slept in a rented airbnb room- decorated wall to wall with eastern religious items. As promised, I slept great.

    Still, I tip my hat to you. In your book, I recognized and enjoyed a measure of dedication to the scientific process which is (to be frank) virtually nonexistent in academia and popular science. The "peer-reviewed" process is drifting sideways into something which can better be called "peer-controlled" or "peer-attenuated." The scientific method is just a tool. The mind wielding it must first desire to find and publish the truth. I believe you are doing this quite well.

    The excellent compilation and overview here cannot be rated anything less than 5-stars. It will be a valuable read for Christians and for anyone interested in an interesting and logical review of paralyzing, terrifying attacks which onset during sleep. Well done!
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2019
    I can't imagine giving this anything less than five stars. I wish more writers would take this neutral approach to uncertain phenomena, rather than claiming to have it all figured out. The tone, structure, and information here are VERY academic (in a good way), and it kept me turning the pages. Although it is not meant to be, this was the creepiest book I've read this year, I think. It has also helped me formulate some of my own opinions on he subject without trying to persuade me toward any particular direction.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2014
    Well researched and written treatise on night terrors, waking dreams and other such esoterica. I found this book after an experience of my own, and found the analysis and explanations lucid and helpful. The widespread nature of the central phenomenon, the so called Old Hag experience, means the fuel for a talented folklorist like Hufford is bountiful indeed. An engaging exploration of a central tenet of paranormal experiences, from alien abduction to spirit possession.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2021
    Hufford gives us a number of cases and establishes that the Old Hag experience is independent of cultural conditioning (not caused by it). The similarity of some of the features to out-of-body accounts is interesting and deserves futher study.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2003
    I applaud Professor Hufford for this ground-breaking analysis of Night Hag (Phantomania) attacks. Nothing else quite like it since its original publication over 20 years ago.

    * As of 2013, I notice several other books have been published concerning this topic. Unfamiliar with their content, so unable to comment on their quality.

    Though it begins with, and is occasionally bogged down by some typically tiresome academic prose, for the most part Hufford has the courage to allow the facts - meaning testimonies - to speak for themselves. With the benefit of his methodical and objective reasoning, this approach eventually delivers his subject from the tediousness of too much jargon and equivocation.

    And though he wisely resists arriving at any certain conclusions, his courage to at least acknowledge most of the possible explanations - physio/psychological or supernatural - associated with pavor nocturnus is much to his credit.

    Many of the eyewitness accounts (which, I think, could have been improved by some editing), actually make for rather scary and unnerving late night reading. If you are familiar with the lackluster Grave's End, you will know what I mean. Likewise, similar examples of such "entity" encounters can be found in numerous other allegedly true haunting accounts. The resemblances and similarities are remarkable and, I submit, establish a pattern of credibility rather than imitation. T

    I only wish that the Professor had more thoroughly described the different stages of sleep, including brain wave Hz rates, length and periodicity of cycles and degress of REM activity. It seems to me that an all inclusive scientific study of nightmares should result in some truly surprising insights into the nature of consiousness itself. At the very least a more complete and rigorous background explanation of what we currently understand about sleep would do much to bolster the bona fides of this specific inquiry.

    Likewise, Professor Hufford is way overdue for an update considering the limited sources his research was conducted from and based upon. Considering the fact that he has pioneered this topic, his further investigations ought to be of even greater value and objectivity.

    * I have found at least one somewhat decent documentary about Night Hag/Shadow People, from @ 2008 which includes Hufford's comments. It is available on YouTube. He wisely maintains an objective, agnostic opinion, though does not indicate whether or not he is still involved in research.

    Regarding the entity hypothesis - which I obviously find the most reasonable (yes, that's the right word!), allow me to recommend a perusal of Carlos Castaneda's The Active Side of Infinity, particularly the chapters on Inorganic Awareness and Mud Shadows.

    Skeptical? Just take a look, you'll see what I mean.
    Not necessarily THE explanation, but there certainly are many interesting correlations!
    26 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • carlo sansolo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 11, 2021
    This author is a folklorist, nonetheless he makes the point that the subject matter is real and not imaginary, he doesn't run from the subject, brave guy.
  • Bradley W Snow
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sleep Paralysis or is it something else.
    Reviewed in Canada on October 27, 2018
    In some European countries and to Newfoundland (which was an extension of these countries well after 1949 Confederation.
    Rich Folklore ... or is it something else?
    Great to get another perspective of this strong belief that to this day has increased what it could really be.
    Too many people have experienced this.
  • neil ross
    4.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and well written
    Reviewed in Japan on November 20, 2019
    Liked it. Gave lots of insight. Would buy again.
  • Jul R
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tres interessant
    Reviewed in France on January 21, 2014
    Ce livre parle en fait d'un syndrome que j'ai déja expérimenté qui se nomme la Paralysie du sommeil ou Parasomnie.
    Cette impression désagréable et effrayante d'être paralysé mais conscient et plus fréquent que l'on ne croit. 15% de la population à déja vécu cette experience sans gravité.
    Ce livre traite des explications historiques autour de ce phénomène connu de longue date.
  • Samantha Treasure
    5.0 out of 5 stars In depth and fascinating
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 1, 2018
    The work Hufford has put into this is obvious, he has cast a wide net over many disciplines and gathered data about sleep paralysis and similar phenomena. A fascinating and easy read whether in academia or not.