New Books and Media

From the back cover: Eileen Garrett was one of the most internationally renowned and studied psychic mediums of the twentieth century. She was also an author, publisher, and co-founder of the Parapsychology Foundation. In Behind the Medium’s Mask: Eileen Garrett’s Shadow Self, historian Elisabeth J.C. (Lis) Warwood reveals significant discrepancies in Garrett’s autobiographies. That none of her Spiritualist associates or parapsychological investigators discovered the woman behind the mask may shock those who grew up believing her origin story.

A vital contribution to the historical study of psychic phenomena, Behind the Medium’s Mask sheds new light on a figure who has captivated scholars and the public alike. It is a revealing investigation into the facts of Eileen Garrett’s life. presenting new and important insights that demand a reassessment of Garrett’s abilities, motives, and influence in the world of parapsychology.

From the publisher's website: This book critiques conventional parapsychological viewpoints about extrasensory perception (ESP) and psychokinesis (PK), collectively referred to as ’psi’. Since the 1930s, an over-arching view on psi has been built on J. B. Rhine’s theories and research at Duke University. The author argues that there are fundamental problems with the psi paradigm, and offers solutions based largely on Jung’s Theory of Synchronicity, treating the subject matter in a rigorous scientific way. The synchronicity concept speaks to ambiguous psi terminology, the narrow methodological approaches in psi testing, and limited interpretations of psychic experience that do not consider the pivotal role of meaning. This book considers problems with terminology, findings, and the psi construct from a Jungian synchronistic standpoint, which gives credence to issues such as archetypes, meaningfulness, and numinosity. An important new contribution to the understanding of psi, this book will be of interest to practitioners and researchers working in the disciplines of psychology, parapsychology, consciousness studies, and physics, especially quantum mechanics.

Further information at the publisher's website: Routledge.

From the publisher's website: Discover how the bonds of life and love transcend death. Since ancient times, people from nearly every culture and corner of the world have experienced visions of loved ones that coincided with their faraway deaths. Daniel Bourke explores these otherworldly synchronicities, known as crisis apparitions, from ancient times to the present, including hundreds of vivid accounts, demonstrating their universal nature.

Further information at the publisher's website: Destiny Books.

From the back cover: "In this fascinating book, Peake not only examines the latest neuroscientific hypotheses concerning the physical and psychological aspects of NDEs, but also explores how anthropological studies and spiritual beliefs have contributed to our understanding of them. With pertinent assessments of out-of-body experiences, the panoramic life review and the concept of time distortion, Peake provides a timely consideration of a subject that questions our views of consciousness and reality."

From the publisher's website: Have you ever been in an accident and felt that time slowed down? Have you felt time stretch radically, or even apparently disappear, in a state of deep meditation? Psychologist Dr Steve Taylor calls these Time Expansion Experiences, and in this book he shares his years of research into this life-changing phenomenon.

Further information at the publisher's website: Watkins Publishing.

From the publisher's website: After an injury threatened his chances of signing a professional baseball contract, R. Alan Streett sought help from Olga Worrall, a world-famous psychic healer. This encounter set in motion his lifelong search for the origin and nature of psychic phenomena. Were they natural or supernatural? From God, or from the devil? Were they mentalists’ tricks, or feats of the subconscious mind? Streett invites us to join him in real time as he explores the fascinating world of the paranormal, offering insights into healing, magic, trance channeling, yogic meditation, alternative medicine, astral projection, and the brain’s ability to produce spiritual and mystical experiences. 

Further information at the publisher's website: Eerdmans

From the publisher's website: A cacophonous cabinet of curiosities, gathering other musics channeled from the spirit world, the fairy kingdom, outer space, secret societies and occult lodges. Compiled by musician, historian and archivist Doug Skinner, this unique collection of esoteric earworms gathers, and examines, music from other worlds. Notation is also included for several tunes so that you can play along at home. Over eight themed essays you’ll find tunes hummed, strummed, and sung by spirits, sprites and fairies, extraterrestrial elevator music, dreamed ditties, marches for occult ceremonies, secret musical codes and languages, music made by animals, and more.

Further information at the publisher's website: Strange Attractor Press.

Review by Melvyn Willin.

From the publisher's website: In his latest book, One Big Box of 'Paranormal Tricks’? From Ghosts to Poltergeists to the Theory of Just One Paranormal Power, John Fraser reflects on his motivations for involvement in paranormal research from an early age, recalling his experiences to date, the people who have influenced him, and the conclusions he's come to. Whilst Fraser refers to events in his life, this book is not a memoir or 'life story' in any conventional sense. It's presented as a meditation on what the paranormal might mean for us in our universal quest to give our lives meaning. One Big Box of 'Paranormal Tricks’? takes more of a zen-and-the-art-of-spending-a-night-in-a-haunted-house approach than an autobiographical one.

Further information at the publisher's website: 6th Books. 

Review by Nemo C, Mörck.

From the publisher's website: As heard on Radio 4’s Free Thinking Henri Bergson, the French philosopher who defined individual creativity and transformed twentieth-century thought. At the dawn of the twentieth century, Henri Bergson became the most famous philosopher on earth. Where prior thinkers sketched out a predictable universe, he asserted the transformative power of consciousness and creativity. An international celebrity, he made headlines around the world debating luminaries like Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein about free will and time. The vision of creative evolution and freedom he presented was so disruptive that the New York Times branded him “the most dangerous man in the world.” In the first English-language biography of Bergson, Emily Herring traces how his celebration of the time-bending uniqueness of individual experience struck a chord with those shaken by modern technological and social change. Bergson captivated a society in flux like no other. Long after he faded from public view, his insights into memory, time, joy and creativity continue to shape our perceptions to this day. Herald of a Restless World is an electrifying portrait of a singular intellect.

Further information at the publisher's website: Basic Books.

Review by Gary Lachman.

From the publisher's website: Quotidian Tales is unique selection of short fictional stories based on real paranormal behaviours such as, remote viewing, psychokinesis, after death communication, energy healing, precognition, near-death-experiences, and telepathy. Each story provides a humorous and heartwarming insight into the paranormal informed by scientific research which is outlined in the 'Notes' section. Anyone interested in the mind, sprit and the nature of consciousness will find this book fun, informative and enlightening.

Review by Gregory M. Westlake.

From the publisher's website: Paranormal expert Theresa Cheung shares 101 of the most mysterious and spooky true stories of hauntings from around the world together with the latest afterlife science and research, providing fascinating insight into our never-ending love affair with ghosts. Belief in ghosts is surprisingly common worldwide. Mysterious glowing orbs, unexplained chills, things that literally go bump in the night: signs of paranormal activity have reportedly surged during the pandemic. As have specialist investigators, organised ghost hunts, eerie podcasts, TV shows and reports of everyday hauntings.

Further information at the publisher's website: Michael O'Mara.

Review by Peter A. McCue.

From the publisher's website: A History of Ghosts, Spirits and the Supernatural charts the extraordinary narrative of one of the most fascinating and controversial subjects in the world, covering everything from Neolithic ancestor worship and ancient necromancy to modern-day ghost-hunting and creepypasta tales and from the Japanese onryo to the La Llorona of Latin America. The perfect introduction to the subject, this spellbinding volume details the numerous ways in which spirits and the spirit world have been depicted in myth and religion, folklore, art, and literature.

Further information at the publisher's website: DK.