The First Ghosts

Most Ancient of Legacies

By: Irving Finkel

Narrated by: Irving Finkel

Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Dr Irving Finkel, curator at the British Museum, explores why the belief in ghosts is what makes us human.

There are few things more in common across cultures than the belief in ghosts. Ghosts inhabit something of the very essence of what it is to be human. Whether we personally 'believe' or not, we are all aware of ghosts and the rich mythologies and rituals surrounding them. They have inspired, fascinated and frightened us for centuries - yet most of us are only familiar with the vengeful apparitions of Shakespeare, or the ghastly spectres haunting the pages of 19th-century Gothic literature. But their origins are much, much older....

The First Ghosts: Most Ancient of Legacies takes us back to the very beginning. A world-renowned authority on cuneiform, the form of writing on clay tablets that dates back to 3400 BC, Irving Finkel has embarked upon an ancient ghost hunt, scouring these tablets to unlock the secrets of the Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians to breathe new life into the first ghost stories ever written. In The First Ghosts, he uncovers an extraordinarily rich seam of ancient spirit wisdom that has remained hidden for nearly 4,000 years, covering practical details of how to live with ghosts, how to get rid of them and bring them back and how to avoid becoming one, as well as exploring more philosophical questions: what are ghosts, why does the idea of them remain so powerful despite the lack of concrete evidence and what do they tell us about being human?

©2021 Finkel Productions Limited (P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Original, informed and brilliant.

A must read for anyone into in myth and magic hoping also for pragmatic explanation. This is THE book on ghosts, past present and future with many laughs along the way. Finkel tackles matters of life and death without cliche and with great insight and humour. I downloaded Audible version liking to hear the authors own voice.

a delight to listen to

Irving has wonderful insights and a beautiful British sense of humor. And he sounds just like Terry Pratchett. It's like being taught by Merlin from Sword in thr Stone, and he constantly reminds us that these were people like us. I've listened to it multiple times andnlove it each time

MORE IRVING FINKEL PLEASE

This book was fantastic! if you are at all interested in ghosts or Mesopotamia, or ancient history writ large, The First Ghosts is a fantastic read.

Wonderful text and performance

Fantastic! Irving Finkel's voice is completely charming and well supplemented by the two voice actors in this fascinating analysis of early ghosts. Highly recommended.

Very informative, fun to listen to!

I really enjoyed listening to Irving Finkel read his new book on ghosts. He makes the ghost stories, spells, and tales of the underworld from the Ancient Cuneiform texts come alive. He is very funny throughout. His Afterword has the best argument I ever heard on why people could believe in ghosts and why those who adamantly don't are really ignoring the past.

Audible should get Irving Finkel to read other books by other authors. There is nothing dull, dry, or stuffy in his reading.

Odd but loved it

Won't be for everyone , but if you love history , and the odd things of life it might be the thing for you. It is like sitting in the class of your favorite, one of a kind, prof who missed his calling as a stage actor .

Ghosts Were Causing My Tinnitus!

After years of ringing in my ears, I finally found the source -- and cure -- to my auditory woes. Author Irving Funkle excellently narrates his work on ancient Mesopotamia, using primary sources to show how everday people dealt with ghostly encounters. Once such example discussed is ringing in the ears, obviously caused by some mean spirited (a pun!) ghost. The author uses the incantation necessary to dispel the said ghost, and poof!
While quite academic, Finkle wirtes/narrates in such a way to draw the audience in and I often felt as if I was attending an intriguing and captivating lecutre. The writing and narrating throw back the curtain on our ancient forbearers, adding to the historical record that connects our lives with theirs. I hope the author has more work forthcoming; he was enjoyable and a delight to learn from!
Hopefully my ears will stop ringing soon...

Campfire stories with modern fun

I have to admit from first seeing Finkel on curators corner years ago and loving the videos (check them out if you haven’t) seeing he wrote a book meant purchase was a no brainer.

And much to our delight it was as interesting, fun and thought provoking as we hoped. The book was the happy meeting of what we enjoy. History, storytelling, human culture and connections across time.

All in all it feels like your sitting around a camp fire and hearing a historical ghost story with modern relevance. I can’t wait to read more when he writes them.

Fantastic

Irving Finkel is my academia celebrity crush. I would follow the man into Irkalla and back.