Cover Art Release ~ Dr. H. H. Holmes and the Whitechapel Ripper

Announcing the presentation of the cover art for my upcoming release, Dr. H. H. Holmes and the Whitechapel Ripper.  The graphic artwork was created by
http://bloodsoakedgraphics.tumblr.com/
.

I am pleased to report part one of the four-part manuscript is currently with my editor. As this project has been a lifelong journey and the exploration of Jack the Ripper has taken me, time and again, to the arteries of the Whitechapel district in London and ultimately consummated on the streets of Chicago’s south side neighborhood in the Englewood neighborhood where Dr. H. H. Holmes built his infamous “Murder Castle.”

In my book, I ask one thing of the reader… consider the possibilities!  In London, we have a serial killer who is nothing more than an enigma – a faceless name.  History has preserved documents, which not only indicate the Ripper is likely to be a person with medical knowledge – a skilled physician, and the Metropolitan Police and Scotland Yard propose the culprit is likely an American.  Dr. H. H. Holmes, a con man, a skilled physician, and a frequent visitor of London, attempts to sell articulated skeletons to colleges and universities in the London area during the time of the murders.  Is this coincidence?

In Dr. H. H. Holmes and the Whitechapel Ripper, case file evidence will demonstrate, Dr. H. H. Holmes was the prime suspect who committed the Whitechapel crimes and has evaded suspicion (and the criminal justice system) for more than a century.

Below is the write-up on the back cover of the book.  It exemplifies and represents the very foundation and heart of Dr. H. H. Holmes and the Whitechapel Ripper.

“Dr. H. H. Holmes and the Whitechapel Ripper”

By Dane Ladwig

In 1888 in the East End of London, the heart of the Whitechapel district was crippled by the crimes of a fiendish murderer known as Jack the Ripper. Across the Ocean, in America, another monster was on the loose – Dr. H. H. Holmes…

The mystery of the unsolved Jack the Ripper murders would puzzle the world for the next century and the years ahead. Scotland Yard Detectives, Stockholm’s finest minds, criminologists and experts (or “Ripperologists”) from around the globe, all endeavored and failed to unravel the mysterious identity of the world’s most notorious serial killer.

After more than a century of conjecture and inconclusive theories, The Ripper’s identity is no less a mystery than it was at the time of the murders. Is it possible Scotland Yard investigators were correct after all? Could the notorious Ripper have been an American visiting London? Furthermore, is it possible the visiting Ripper was an American physician and a convicted serial killer?

In Dr. H. H. Holmes and the Whitechapel Ripper, the unproven propositions regarding the possible identity of Jack the Ripper are considered and weighed against the facts. Theory and literature based on opinion and imagination are left aside as only the facts and reason are considered. The historian, student, Ripperologist, or simply those intrigued with perhaps the greatest of all unsolved mysteries, should add to their knowledge with what is revealed in this compelling account of Dr. H. H. Holmes and the Whitechapel Ripper.

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“Dr. H. H. Holmes and the Whitechapel Ripper” ~ “New World” Discoveries!

Galileo

 

In 1616 Galileo Galilei, Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher, published in his Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems the Dialogue on the Ebb and Flow of the Sea, that the Copernican System discovered by Nicholas Copernicus (Copernicus a century prior to Galileo – actually stunned the scientific world), with theories, the earth was not the center of the universe.  Galileo proved the earth actually rotated on its axis and it rotated around the sun, dispelling centuries of belief in science.

Christopher Columbus

On the evening of August 3, 1492 another Italian, Christopher Columbus, set sail from Spain on a mission to acquire new possibilities in the South Seas for trade and barter on the behalf of the Spanish monarchy.  As three ships embarked for the open sea, the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria, onlookers observed the ships fading off into the horizon. The spectators from the 15^th Century assumed the three ships, like the many before them that never returned to port, fell off the edge of the earth.  When Columbus returned to Spain and reported he had discovered a “New World” and furthermore, the earth was not flat, it was in fact “pear shaped”.  Columbus was ridiculed and his sanity was in question for his remarkable statements.  However, the Spaniards were amazed and intrigued at his return on the 15^th of March in 1493, begging the question, why did Columbus not fall off the edge of the earth if he did indeed travel the distances he claimed to have sailed.

As recent as the mid 1800’s people continued to believe the earth was flat.  I suppose the most conclusive evidence of the earth’s shape came about on July 20, 1969 when Apollo 11 penetrated the earth’s atmosphere and global attention was directed at the media coverage of the most significant lunar mission in history.  We knew beyond a shadow of doubt through the images sent back to earth by Apollo 11, and previous space missions, the earth was indeed round and men actually walked on the surface of the Moon.  Nevertheless, doubters and skeptics questioned the authenticity of the proof of Apollo 11, and still do to this day, with mistrust in the mission’s authenticity.

Today we know the earth is not the center of the universe.  We also know the earth is not flat and you can travel in any direction and completely circle the earth.  Like those who mistrusted the judgment of explorers whose beliefs and theorems were doubted and scoffed at, and subsequently questioned, as they were unsuitable to popular thinking, there will be many who feel making a case for a century old crime is no more worthy of consideration than the Italian explorers whose sanity were in question for believing the world was not the center of the universe, or that the earth was not flat.

It is not without conviction and a dedication to explore the truth of Jack the Ripper and Dr. H. H. Holmes, that I make such bold statements.  I believe, like those many pioneers who precede me, one individual can make a difference.  It is my faithful commitment to present a case study of the crimes, which will establish a foundation reflecting the pretenses held regarding Jack the Ripper for the past 125 years, have been in in fact, held in err.  The historic account I present will reflect history itself has altered the account of Jack the Ripper over time to exclude such culprits as Dr. H. H. Holmes.

“Dr. H. H. Holmes and the Whitechapel Ripper” ~ Coming Soon!

In addition, the evidence indicates, Herman Webster Mudgett a.k.a. Dr. Henry Howard (H. H.) Holmes has played a major role in the case of Jack the Ripper.  As has been demonstrated through Galileo and Columbus, history has been, and can be, rewritten.  As is the case with these monumental discoveries of yesteryear, and the case with regards to Dr. H. H. Holmes and his connection to Jack the Ripper, history may need time to adjust to the idea of maxims and factuality proven through evidence.

For now, we will continue on the journey of venturing into the High Seas setting our course for truth and revelation as we continue onward with due diligence in our quest of evidentiary truth in the case of “Dr. H. H. Holmes and the Whitechapel Ripper.”

Dane Ladwig

http://www.daneladwig.com

The Case of “Jill” the Ripper: The Verdict Is In!

Mary Pearcey a.k.a. Mary Eleanor Wheeler

The Petition

To consider the possibilities of Jack the Ripper’s identity, one must maintain that all potential suspects regardless of social status, political affiliation, religious beliefs, age, race and gender be scrutinized equally and fairly against the evidence of the case.

Today, I am examining the theory of “Jill” the Ripper a.k.a. Mary Pearcey a.k.a. Mary Eleanor Wheeler (maiden name).  The presumption of a woman behind the Whitechapel District crimes is not a new argument.  Some of the most fascinating fiction writers in history have entertained the idea of a woman as a Ripper candidate.  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the Sherlock Holmes suspense novels, postulated the Ripper might have been a woman; Sir Arthur, as is evident in his writings, was intrigued by the suspense of the dramatic opposite and the (im)probability of the impossible.

The task of connecting the murderer Mary Pearcey to Jack the Ripper has caught the attention of curious spectators. Ms. Sarah Beth Hopton, a copywriter and graphic designer by trade, has been promising for more than two years to release a book detailing her opinion regarding Mary Pearcey’s connection to the Ripper slayings.  Ms. Hopton alleges the book is written (she claims it has been since December of 2012), that it is edited and available for publishing.  Yet, for unknown reasons, the public awaits its impending arrival.  I look forward to its arrival any possible new evidences Ms. Hopton may produce.

Nevertheless, we now consider the case of Mary Pearcey and weigh it against known evidence…

The Case

Mary Pearcey, born Mary Eleanor Wheeler in 1866, lived to her 24th year (1890), when she was executed for murdering Mrs. Phoebe Hogg and her infant child.

“Mary Wheeler took the name “Pearcey” from John Charles Pearcey, a carpenter with whom she had lived. He left her because of her infidelity. She later took up residence with a furniture remover, Frank Hogg, who had at least one other lover, Phoebe Styles. Styles became pregnant, and Hogg married her at Pearcey’s urging. They lived in Kentish Town in London. Styles gave birth to a daughter also named Phoebe Hogg” (Wiki — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Pearcey).

History records reflect Mary Pearcey as a scorned lover, she was having an affair with Mr. Hogg and she grew weary of vying for Mr. Hogg’s affections only to be second in his heart to his beloved wife.

On the afternoon of 24 October 1890, Pearcey requested the presence of Mrs. Hogg at her, Ms. Pearcey’s, residence.  At 4:00 PM in the afternoon, Mrs. Hogg and her infant child appeared at the doorstep of Mary Pearcey.  Later that evening, Mrs. Hogg was found deceased in a pile of rubbish in Hampstead, she had suffered a crushed skull and her head nearly severed from her body.  About a mile away, in Finchley, the eighteen-month-old baby child Hogg was found in its buggy soaked in blood, but no apparent wounds, the baby was asphyxiated – smothered to death.

When Mary Pearcey was arrested, she and her home were covered in a bloody mess.  When questioned by the officers she repeated over and again, “Killing mice.  Killing mice.  Killing mice.”  This irrational response provoked the investigators to question Mary Pearcey’s sanity.

As Reported

By the Victoria Daily Colonist, Sunday October 26, 1890, Page 3 (two days following the murders, one day following the coroners medical report).

“A medical expert has made a careful examination of the body of the woman found last night murdered in South Hampstead. The examination shows the murder was committed in a manner not characteristic of Jack the Ripper, and also negatives the suggestion that the victim was of the Whitechapel type, which has thus far furnished the Ripper’s prey. The body is that of a woman apparently 30 years of age, clad in material, the texture and cut of which indicated the wearer to have been a person of some refinement. The underclothes were found to be marked, a fact upon which the police place great stress, as furnishing a clue to the murderer. When a boy found it, it was seen that the woman’s skull had been fractured and then her throat had been cut. The pockets were empty. Near the body the police found an empty perambulator, containing a blood stained fur rug. The officers surmise that the perambulator was used to carry the body of the victim from the place where the murder was committed to the point at which it was found.”

Evidence

Mary Pearcey was arrested, charged with murder, and hanged for the murders of Mrs. Phoebe Hogg and her infant child on 23 December 1890.  To this day, there have been no direct evidences reflecting Mary Pearcey as a suspect in the 1888 Jack the Ripper slayings.  However, skeptics such as Ms. Sarah Beth Hopton are taking a position in making a case for “Jill” the Ripper, based on inconclusive evidences.  Why now?  Why make a case for Jill the Ripper?  Perhaps only Ms. Hopton, the person claiming to write a book about such things, which has yet to be published despite the attention she currently receives touring the country (allegedly she receives a substantial fee according to the media) lecturing Colleges and Universities based on her unpublished theories, perhaps eventually her book will reveal the answer to this ambiguous mystery.

As for the case, and the file evidence of Mary Pearcey.  Let us consider the Modus Operandi (M.O.), or the means and methods the scorned lover – Mary Pearcey – operated under.  Then we will examine each claim individually.

1)     Ms. Pearcey invited Ms. Hogg to her residence.

Jack the Ripper’s victims met with their fatal ends where they conducted business as women of the evening, on the streets of the East End of the Whitechapel District.  As far as history has recorded, Scotland Yard, and the Metropolitan Police and countless case investigators, the Ripper never invited his (or her) victims to a residence where they were then slain or disemboweled.

2)     Ms. Pearcey murdered in the light of day (the afternoon, it was 4:00 PM when Mrs. Hogg called upon Ms. Pearcey and she was presumed to have perished shortly after 4:00 PM).

Each one of Jack the Ripper’s murders were disguised in the darkness of the evening shadows.  The darkness of the night was the choice of the perpetrator(s) in the Ripper victim slayings as it served two purposes, 1) the obscurity of night provided perfect cover for concealment of weapons, disguise of identity, and obscurity of the nightshade to hide any traces of blood from victims etc.  Each of Jack the Rippers known crimes were successfully committed as the night sky allowed him (or her) to commit the crimes and move about the streets and corridors of London with little concern of detection.

3)     The scorned Ms. Pearcey murdered an infant child – eighteen-months-old.

To the knowledge of Scotland Yard and the Metropolitan Police, Jack the Ripper never harmed a single child, or an infant.  Jack’s primary victims were women, they were prostitutes, and they were, by products of their environment, and as such heavy drinkers.

4)     Ms. Pearcey killed out of lover’s revenge and a scorned heart.

As the Ripper’s victims were “working” women, it is highly unlikely Jack committed his crimes as the result of a lovers quarrel, lover’s triangle, or because of a scorned lover’s heart.  The methodical nature of Jack the Rippers crimes indicate, as the mortician attending the autopsy of Rippers victims, “… the murders appear to be with the precision of an individual who has the knowledge of a medical surgeon, unlike what you would find in an atlas of the human anatomy”.  Had Mary Pearcey the skill of a medical surgeon there is little doubt she would have crushed the head of her victim.  Mary Pearcey’s MO for killing Mrs. Phoebe Hogg, and her infant Child was one of a jealous lover.  Based on Mary Pearcey’s M.O. we cannot establish her as a candidate for the Ripper murders given her motive as a jealous scorned lover as the Rippers victims were prostitutes and appear to have been selected for no other reason than their profession and the misfortune of their presence in the Whitechapel District.

Furthermore, the careless and haphazard fashion Mary Pearcey discarded the bodies of Mrs. Phoebe Hogg and her infant child are inconsistent with the Rippers methods of slashing the bodies and disemboweling the victims in public.

Even if an argument could be entertained that Mary Pearcey followed her husband and witnessed him having extra-marital affairs with the women of the East End of the Whitechapel District, the likelihood of her committing these crimes two years prior to her sentencing would have been rare.  She reflected a fledgling inability to conceal the murders of Mrs. Hogg and her child.  To stymy the efforts of the investigators of Scotland Yard and the Metropolitan Police, would have taken quite a bit more proclivity of criminal disposition and intelligence than Mary Pearcey exhibited.

The Verdict

In conclusion, the span between the crimes of Jack the Ripper in 1888 and Mary Pearcey’s capture and execution in 1890 leave two years unaccounted.  Mary Pearcey targeted her lover’s wife and child, whereas Jack the Ripper targeted prostitutes.  Mrs. Hogg’s head was crushed, “then” her throat was slashed, and her child was smothered to death.  According to the morticians report and autopsy records of Ripper victims, Jack the Ripper slayed his victims with a physician’s surgical knife and he had advanced knowledge of the human anatomy.

I, for one, am hard pressed, to consider Mary Pearcey, as a viable suspect in the case of Jack the Ripper without further conclusive evidence; thus, in the case for “Jill” the Ripper and Mary Pearcey as her viable suspect, I believe the case remains inconclusive.

Not Guilty by reason of insufficient evidence!

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Coming soon!

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Now Available at Amazon.com!

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Holmes Manuscript Update…

It is apparent from the search parameters people are using on both my website and my blog (yes, I can check them lol); the majority of inquiring minds wish to know what’s going on in my world with Dr. H. H. Holmes.

As many of you are aware, I have written a book titled Piercing the Veils of Death: A Paranormal Exploration, and a great deal of my time is devoted to marketing, radio and newspaper interviews and such. In addition, I am writing Dr. H. H. Holmes and the Whitechapel Ripper (forecasted for a fall 2013 release).

To pen such a monumental book, which will reveal facts about Herman Webster Mudgett a.k.a. Dr. H. H. Holmes and his many links to the infamous Jack the Ripper, which have never before been made public, is painstakingly difficult.

First, I must make sure the information is credible, and that includes case file information from the Holmes case and the open crime case of the Ripper. The people I am working with in the U.K. and home in the U.S. must be impeccable resources. Lastly, I must consider all possibilities before making the assumption Dr. H. H. Holmes is the principle candidate as the prime suspect in the Ripper slayings of 125 years ago.

To accomplish this enormous task, I have sought the assistance of experts from all over the globe. I am currently working with Scotland Yard, the London Metropolitan Police, the United Kingdom National Archives, the United States National Archives, the Gilmanton, New Hampshire Historic Society, Dartmouth College, the University of Michigan Medical School, and various experts and certified investigators in a unified and collaborative effort to expose the truth.

What has this benefited so far? Good question. I will share a misunderstanding people have had for several decades regarding Dr. H. H. Holmes. While Holmes was incarcerated, he documented his story. He told of a tale when he was a small boy living in Gilmanton, NH.

The sensationalized story passed on from Holmes was regarding his schoolmates, “hooligans”, who shoved him into a doctor’s office and frightened the boy Holmes/Herman Mudgett, by thrusting an articulated skeleton upon the terrorized child. This was only partially true.

My research has discovered the true story; the doctor’s identity, and a bond/relationship the doctor and Herman had throughout Herman’s life until the doctor’s unfortunate passing. Coincidentally, the doctor graduated Dartmouth College and mostly lectured at the University of Michigan Medical School. Herman Mudgett/Holmes attended Dartmouth for one year and graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School.

This is but a brief moment of the research I am conducting to bring Dr. H. H. Holmes and the Whitechapel Ripper into the focus of speculation. Was Dr. H. H. Holmes coup de grâce, his most significant contribution to society and history, to be disregarded as the murderous Ripper for a century and a quarter, and go unnoticed… as a ghost in the night?

Just when I think I have Holmes figured out, someone sends me more information. When dealing with Holmes, I have learned there’s always a new angle, a new direction. To be the first to bring it together, I feel like Alfred Hitchcock on the set of a Hollywood blockbuster horror spectacle – only this one is real. This one really did happened!

Stay tuned as I bring you more and don’t forget to check out my website for more about my books and Dr. H. H. Holmes: www.daneladwig.com

Dane

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You Want to Publish a Book: “Move on… and Keep Your Eye on the Prize”

It is difficult for an Independent Author to gain much acclaim for his or her work short of investing thousands of dollars. Hiring an editor, paying for proof reads, paying someone to transpose your manuscript to conform to “industry standards” to comply with various printing and electronic formats, and contracting a marketing team to endorse your work and legal representation to make sure you are doing everything within the confines of the IRS and the law, are all extremely costly.

Recently, I read an article estimating the cost of a self-published author reaching the (any) best-sellers list. The numbers were astronomical and exhausting. One such Indie author paid in excess of $75,000.00 to be listed on a best-sellers list for one day. That’s right, 24 hours. The cost of many homes in the southern regions of rural America are purchased for less than what the 24 hours this author paid to be listed as a “best-seller”.

However, the author was not paying for sales. The author paid for a prestigious moniker “best-seller”. As a result, the author can now attach the label of “Best Selling Author” to any future works. In addition, the author is in high demand lecturing across the globe and getting paid big money to talk about his theories.

Unfortunately, I choose to write a book in a niche where the money is sparse and the critical acclaim is reserved for Hollywood celebrities – the paranormal and the afterlife. I put out the bucks for the editor and the transpositions, the proof reads and the legal fees, but it’s a long shot as to whether I will recoup the money from my initial investment.

I doubt I’ll ever see a “Best-Sellers” list with my first book, but I just cannot justify buying my way into a popularity contest; my moral composition tells me it is wrong. That leaves me, and other Independent Authors like me, with little alternative.

There are the social network avenues and they will take you only so far until people begin to get annoyed with your pleading with them to buy your book and they “block” you. Then you have the option of “free” giveaways and you pray word of mouth will generate sales. Newspapers and radio interviews are a great alternative, but then they will begin to swallow every ounce of your time and energy chipping away any portion of the day you have devoted to your next project. Blogs and websites will only go so far as you cannot reach the masses.

Where does that leave the Indie Author? There are not too many more options. A very successful author and a close personal friend gave me some advice. He asked, “What’s the prize… What’s in it for you?” I answered, “I just want to offer something different, a different perspective… perhaps something which was not considered before they read my book. And like all writers I want to reach as many people as possible, not for fame or fortune, but for the gratification in knowing I made a difference.” He responded with a very profound and helpful statement, “Then move on… get to your next project. You want people to know your work… then get your work out there. Stop sweating the small sh*t… It will all come together as long as you work hard, pay attention to detail, and keep your eye on the prize!”

As Independent Authors, I think we need to remain focused on the big picture. Sure it would be nice if a million people would purchase our book the day it debuts, but that’s not realistic. We need to band together, promote one another (which in return aids in your sales as other Indie authors promote you), and remain fixed on the overall goal – educate, entertain and offer the reader escape from the everyday doldrums and concerns that engulf his or her world.

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Piercing the Veils of Death: A Paranormal Exploration by Dane Ladwig can be purchased on

Amazon.com in Paperback and Kindle formats by clicking on the link below…

Piercing the Veils of Death: A Paranormal Exploration

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The Blessing of the Dream: A Published Author

Piercing the Veils of Death: A Paranormal Exploration by Dane Ladwig

Just a few weeks ago, I published my first book titled, Piercing the Veils of Death. To my surprise, my book received a warm welcome and earned exceptional reviews. Debut weekend over 500 copies of the paperback and Kindle sold through Amazon.com. Barnes and Noble contacted me to ask permission to place Piercing the Veils of Death on its shelves and make it available on the electronic Nook version. I was elated!

Yesterday, Amazon listed Piercing the Veils of Death in the category of New Releases in the UK as the #1 in Supernatural/Paranormal. Today, in the USA, Piercing the Veils of Death is listed at the #10 position following Anne Rice’s National Bestseller (in the #9 position) The Wolf Gift.

As an Independent Author, a successful first release is a dream come true. I would have never dreamed of making the A-list with such prolific writers as Anne Rice, and never in a million years would I have dreamed it would be possible within two weeks of releasing a book.

What is my secret? Hard work, determination and a devotion to presenting a unique idea! I spent nearly a year on the manuscript. I did not want to offer a fiction. Nor did I want to marry myself to a nonfiction. The idea of compiling a collection of unified experiences while still having the ability to present both a fictionalized anecdote along with including a compendium of quasi-memoirs and investigative research materials; all dealing with the human condition, that is what I was after – what turned me on!

It’s not all been a waltz on cloud nine! As an Independent, I am required to market my work. This equates to approximately 20-30 additional hours weekly in addition to the 40-50 a week I devote to my next writing project, Dr. H. H. Holmes and the Whitechapel Ripper: An Historic Inquisition. Between marketing, mailing, radio, newspaper and media, and the occasional lecture and book signing/presentation, there is little time left for “me time”. Thus, scheduling wisely and remaining flexible is necessary.

I would like to present my book, Piercing the Veils of Death. I set out in Piercing the Veils of Death to journey through several realms of the hereafter. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to pass through this life and have cognitive recall? To know where you are and who is in the room with you? Why are the Native American Indians “connected” to the Spirit realm? Do you know the difference between The City of the Dead in Cairo, Egypt and the City of the Dead in New Orleans, LA? Do our pets go to heaven? Have you ever witnessed a pet grieve at a gravesite? Are pets and animals connected to the great beyond?

The fictional story in chapter one follows Stephen Allendale as he travels through the ever-frightening corridor of death. Clinging to his lifelong love, his wife Tracy, find out why Stephen and Tracy refuse to let go of one another’s love.

Piercing the Veils of Death interviews an established college professor whom chooses to act as a channel for the deceased. There are numerous other interviews, such as with Chicago’s premier ghost tour company owner. Interviews with paranormal investigators and psychic/mediums will keep your attention as you find out facts about what makes people tick in the paranormal community and keeps them chasing after the most elusive of all beings — the spirits of the deceased.

Much more than a book on the paranormal, Piercing the Veils of Death leaves the reader with a deeper understanding of the afterlife, the supernatural, superstitions and what may await in the great beyond.

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The reviews posted to Amazon have been encouraging (all 5 star reviews):

“Piercing the Veils of Death by Dane Ladwig is comprised of several stories as it pertains to the supernatural and metaphysical experiences that the author has encountered over the years. It is one thing to read about fictitious accounts of apparitional events, but entirely another to read true cases related to the hereafter.

I was utterly captivated by the stories presented in this book and I found it fascinating as well as I felt it gave me reassurance that there is more after this life. This is not a ghost story book nor a religious book, but about everyday lives, miracles, the transformation from this life to the next, the knowledge that there is hope and everlasting life.

I enjoyed this book immensely and thank you for sharing your stories.” (Amazon’s Top 10 True Crime Author RJ Parker)

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“Piercing the Veils of Death is by far one of the best books I have ever read about the supernatural and matters involving death and the implications death have on the living. I expected your run-of-the-mill paranormal fantasy spookster tale of haunted houses and famous landmarks we are so accustomed to reading about, it was refreshing to read true-life chronicles and get a peak inside the minds of many paranormal investigators and celebrities. I simply loved the way the author opened his book with his very own introduction to the gruesome account of his first “education” of the dead in a funeral home, and then moved on in chapter one to a fictional story of a husband and wife who were so in love in life they couldn’t/wouldn’t let go even in death. It is superb! I am looking forward to telling every one of my friends about this book, then reading it again!

Kudos to a literary masterpiece!” (Denise M. Pacini)

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“Having never purchased an E-book before, I’m glad this was my first, since I couldn’t seem to put it down. Sadly, I was late for a few things because I wouldn’t stop reading in time to go. Mr Ladwig has a fantastic way with words that draws you in, holds your attention and grips very tight. The descriptive & informative nature with which he tells a story, or shares knowledge is one of the best I’ve found. If you’re looking for a book that educates you, enthralls you, and at times, entertains you, THIS is that book. Thank You for a very good read!!” (DEstlock)

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“I really enjoyed this book, as it’s one of a kind its supernatural/paranormal genre. He’s a wonderful storyteller. I can’t wait to read more from this author!” (Samantha M. Jones)

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“Amazing story teller and fantastic stories. Had to finish it in one sitting, I can’t wait for his next book. He has such a wonderful feel for the subject.” (Silverhawk319)

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I hope you purchase a copy of my book and enjoy the journey. Currently Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble have Piercing the Veils of Death: A Paranormal Exploration on sale for $7.00 (paperback) and $3.99 (Kindle and Nook).

A portion of the proceeds of the sale are donated to Noonan’s Syndrome Research.

Piercing the Veils of Death: A Paranormal Exploration is available free of charge to all enlisted military personnel who have given freely to protect my rights as an American!

Premier Weekend: New Indie Author’s Book Sales Skyrocket!

Over 500 copies sold opening weekend (1/25 – 1/27/2013).

I had not expected what was to come. I researched what I should envision as a first book by an Indie Author. The numbers ranged between 100 copies and typically 250 copies sold to friends and family — most claimed that is what I should expect in the first month!

My first published book, Piercing the Veils of Death:A Paranormal Exploration, now available in paperback and on Kindle eBook format on Amazon.com, has sailed past all sales predictions in its opening weekend. Is this attributed to the hard work and dedication of an authors relentless pursuit of success or is the reception a fluke? Perhaps the answer could be found in the reception and response of my peers.

“I started this book by Dane Ladwig last night and read until 5am. Fantastic book!!! So pleased to see that in just one day, my brother Dane has already notched two places in the Top 100 genres. This is going to be a bestseller. Grab a copy today.”  ~ True Crime Author RJ Parker

“Hi all, Check out a new book by Dane Ladwig called Piercing the Veils of Death. In Chapter 13 you will find an interview of TnT Paranormal. Can’t wait to get my copy to read it.” ~ Tracey Tanner of TnT Paranormal

“Can’t wait to get my hands on Piercing the Veils of Death, Dane Ladwig’s brand new book.” ~ Author Jeff Mudgett

“Rarely in all the years I have worked in the realms of death have I met someone so full of life while so closely attuned to the depths of darkness. I cannot wait to read it. You should get it right now.” ~ Ursula Bielski owner of Chicago’s #1 ghost tour company — Chicago Haunting’s Ghost Tours 

Piercing the Veils of Death: A Paranormal Exploration, is much more than I had ever imagined. It delves into the supernatural, the superstitious and the religious implications and quandaries, which we have struggled with for centuries. How do Native American Indians  relate to the Spirit world? Do pets go to heaven? What is the difference between an “angry sprit” and a demon? These and many more questions are answered.

There are three parts to Piercing the Veils of Death. The first is the Apologue, in this chapter follow Stephen Allendale as he takes us through a journey into the hereafter. Only his love for his life-long friend and wife Tracy can help Stephen accept the truth — his death.

The second portion are several true accounts of apparitional visits and psychic interventions as related by a Native American Indian, a clairvoyant, and research by the author in such historical places as Salem, MA. Lexington, MA. and New Orleans, LA. Do you know the difference between The City of the Dead in Cairo, Egypt and The City of the Dead in New Orleans, LA? The interesting answers are in Piercing the Veils of Death.

Want to read an excerpt or get a little more info on what the book is about, visit my website at http://www.daneladwig.com.

The paperback and the electronic eBook Kindle format can be purchased at Amazon by clicking the image below!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Dane+Ladwig

Dane Ladwig’s website:http://www.daneladwig.com/

The Day Has Finally Arrived! My Book Has Been Released…

Nearly a year to the date from when I began research, my dream is realized. My book, Piercing the Veils of Death is now available in paperback and on Kindle eBook format on Amazon.

Piercing the Veils of Death: A Paranormal Exploration is much more than I had ever imagined. It delves into the supernatural, the superstitious and the religious implications and quandaries, which we have struggled with for centuries. How do Native American Indians  relate to the Spirit world? Do pets go to heaven? What is the difference between an “angry sprit” and a demon? These and many more questions are answered.

There are three parts to Piercing the Veils of Death. The first is the Apologue, in this chapter follow Stephen Allendale as he takes us through a journey into the hereafter. Only his love for his life-long friend and wife Tracy, can help Stephen accept the truth.

The second portion are several true accounts of apparitional visits and psychic interventions as related by a Native American Indian, a clairvoyant, and research by the author in such historical places as Salem, MA. Lexington, MA. and New Orleans, LA. Do you know the difference between The City of the Dead in Cairo, Egypt and The City of the Dead in New Orleans, LA? The answers are in Piercing the Veils of Death.

The paperback and the electronic eBook Kindle format can be purchased at Amazon (Click image below)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Dane+Ladwig

Dane Ladwig’s website:http://www.daneladwig.com/

Dreamer ~ My Life in Retrospect

When I was a kid my mom would constantly yell at me, “Stop taking the family radio apart. Do you know what’ll happen if your dad finds out you took that thing apart again?” He never found out because I would put it back together before he would get home, and the wild thing is… the radio always worked when I reassembled it. I have always been a dreamer.

In grade school I was the one who never paid attention and always starred out the window. By the time I made it to Junior High School I became bored and resorted to the role of class clown and hallway bully. I never did my homework and I got bad grades, not because I didn’t know the stuff, but because I “didn’t pay attention”. Somehow I just knew the stuff they were teaching me in class and felt it was a waste of time. I was always interested in things like history and science. One year I entered the school’s Science Fair, I won second place, really ticked off the kids who studied. I have always been a dreamer.

The odds have always been against me. I dropped out of school well before graduation, so I lacked formal education. Based on the way my life was going, everyone was convinced I was headed for the morgue or the penitentiary. I came from a broken home and I lived on the streets. I was about to become another statistic on societies least favored citizens list. I resorted to everything negative and bad, and when I say everything, I do mean everything. When I was a kid, not a day passed by when I did not wish to depart this world; I imagined the next existence as a much nicer place. I have always been a dreamer.

As an adult I have worn many hats. I decided to take control of my education and I have been to Technical School for automobile mechanics, Theology training at a Bible College, and a private College for English and Philosophy degrees. I have worked in many fields along they way, but the ones which stand out in my life as the best and most rewarding were automobile mechanic, construction, a security guard protecting celebrities, working with Homeland Security on Presidential detail, working for a National Football Team, and now spending my life as an author. I have always been a dreamer.

I have met some really incredible and influential people in my lifetime; sports figures, actors, musicians, dignitaries and Heads of State from across the globe. The most inspiring of these people I have had the pleasure of knowing are some of the least famous; they are people stricken and inflicted with disabling conditions who refuse to allow life to dictate unacceptable terms — they are my hero’s and heroin’s. Like them, I too have a disability and I refuse to give in and accept nothingness as an existence. I have always been a dreamer.

I couldn’t tell you when the exact turning point was in my life, perhaps it was more of a culmination and a sort of process. Truth be told, I don’t think I would change a single thing about my life; every day and every nuance of my life made me who I am today. I harbor no bitterness, no resentments, only vague memories of a person I once was — a person I no longer recognize. I suppose, if I think about it real hard, the one constant has always been… I have always been a dreamer!

 

Dane Ladwig

 

http://www.daneladwig.com

Please help review my first video (3:15)

“You won’t believe your eyes,” that’s what one viewer said. I made the video and I have a difficult time with it. I posted this to my Facebook page and the comments just began to pour in,”… it is compelling”, “Sure does make a person think”, and “This is bound to turn a few heads!” Just a few of the comments. This is my first (crude) attempt at making a YouTube video. I do hope you enjoy!

If you enjoyed this video you can follow Dane Ladwig at:http://www.daneladwig.com