Crossing the Centuries: Connecting to 165 Energies and Spirits in My Ancestral Tree is a work of non-fiction in the genealogy, family history, spirituality, and memoir genres. Penned by author Brenda Hammon, this is a truly unique memoir that delves into the author's quest to connect with her ancestors spanning over two hundred years. Through interviews with one hundred and sixty-five spirits and two years of writing, Hammon explores the stories and experiences of her deceased family members. With a blend of genealogical research and spiritual intuition, she brings her ancestors' tales to life, from American Civil War soldiers to pioneering women and convicts. The memoir is a compelling journey through history, filled with mysterious energies and profound insights into the human experience across generations.

Author Brenda Hammon has a real knack for storytelling that she utilizes to craft a mesmerizing read that blurs the lines between history and spirituality. I was impressed by the meticulous amount of research and lively sense of empathy that Hammon used to breathe life into her ancestors' stories, creating a tapestry of diverse lives and experiences spanning centuries. The narrative is infused with a sense of wonder and discovery as Hammon unveils the hidden truths and untold tales buried within her family tree, and I found it to be very warm-hearted and open throughout. From the struggles of Civil War soldiers to the resilience of pioneering women, each ancestor's story has a unique place in social history that shows how far we’ve come with every generation. There’s a lot of respect for the hardships of the past. Hammon's personal journey of embracing her spiritual gifts adds another layer to the tale that’s even more special, offering readers a glimpse into the profound connections that transcend time and space. Overall, Crossing the Centuries is a transformative exploration of identity, heritage, and the enduring power of familial bonds that I would certainly recommend.

Crossing the Centuries: Connecting to 165 Energies and Spirits in My Ancestral Tree by Brenda Hammon is an extraordinary book that transcends traditional genealogical exploration, exploring deep into the spiritual realm to uncover the stories of Brenda's ancestors. Hammon presents personal anecdotes, historical facts, and supernatural encounters in each chapter to create a captivating and enlightening narrative. Hammon's journey is marked by a profound sense of purpose, driven by her desire to understand her place in the world and the legacies of those who came before her. Her vivid descriptions and heartfelt reflections draw readers into her world, where encounters with spirits and visions of the past blur the lines between reality and the supernatural.

Brenda Hammon candidly explores her spiritual gifts and the challenges. Her journey toward self-acceptance is inspiring and relatable, from her early childhood experiences with angels to her struggles with controlling her psychic abilities. Her honesty and vulnerability are striking. As Hammon digs into her family history, she introduces readers to various characters, from Civil War soldiers to pioneer settlers, each with their own stories. Through her meticulous research and empathic connections with her ancestors, Hammon breathes life into figures long gone, offering readers a glimpse into the trials and triumphs of past generations. Themes of forgiveness and the power of familial bonds are brilliantly developed. Whether recounting the harrowing experiences of her ancestors on the battlefield or the quiet moments of strength and perseverance in the face of adversity, Hammon's storytelling is both poignant and powerful. Crossing the Centuries is more than just a genealogical exploration—it's a book that examines how ancestors' lives provide the light into finding purpose and one’s place in the world. Hammon's journey of self-discovery reminds us that our ancestors are not just names on a family tree but living spirits whose stories continue to resonate with us today. Well-researched and cleverly executed, this book will inspire readers to discover their pasts and find out how these shape their future.

I begin this review by stating that this book, "Crossing the Centuries" by Brenda Hammon is clearly her best yet, hands down.

A natural story teller, Brenda has succesfully combined personal experience as an intuitive psychic-medium with her years of well-researched and cited family history. Not only has this author connected spiritually with her ancestors, she has made them visible to us, her readers, with vibrant descriptions as they presented themselves to her.

Each character is introduced separately, and in such a way that you can almoast see them and hear their voices. For example, my favourite spirit, Stephen Hammon, appears often to Brenda throughout the book. Each time he visits, the spirit shows himself in the clothes he would have been wearing during the time of the episode he wants to tell her. For example, to speak of his wedding, he appeared to her wearing his wedding clothes: "tan-coloured trousers and a white shirt, long brown hair combed back and tamed down with some lard." Brenda then describes how wretched that lard smelled!

I cannot emphasize how well the author takes her readers back through time to see, hear and smell the world as her ancestors did. Not only that, she connects each family member to the historical events of the day with accurate documentation for proof. As each tale comes to light, the author shares her own feelings as her energy level drains with each visiting spirit as they share their experiances with her.

"Crossing the Centuries" is a memoir that has it all: the spirit world, mystery, historical events, love, murder, sorrows and personal insight. You will be led through two centuries of life experiences as told by those who "lived to tell the tale". Brenda Hammon shares her stories with empathy, sincerity and wonder.

I am delighted to recommend this book.