Recommended: SPOOK by Mary Roach
"SPOOK: SCIENCE TACKLES THE AFTERLIFE"
by Mary Roach
WHAT RYAN SAYS:
In the 21st century age of Para-TV (yours truly included), Mary Roach's book offers a refreshing, entertaining-yet-educational journey in to paranormal history by dissecting some of the greatest claims (and frauds) over the past 200 years.
You'd think that the paranormal section at Barnes & Noble would be filled with more books like this. Alas, quite a few rows are dedicated solely to love potions. And if I see another "How-To-Be-A-Ghost-Hunter" manual pop up, I'm going to start taking hostages! I mean it! If you're a paranormal investigator looking for actual substance, then Mary Roach's thought-provoking book is at the top of my current recommendation list. In fact, we have decided to include this book in our training course this semester. It's funny, witty, smart, provocative and, well, relevant!
I'm a strong supporter of history lessons for paranormal investigators. You'd be surprised to learn how many paranormal investigators out there rely on the Internet for their information. As lovely as the Internet is, it has yet to replace the power of the book. History is important, and Roach does a good job at covering the Greatest Hits (and embarrassments), if you will, of paranormal investigation over the course of nearly 200 years. From scientists attempting to weigh the soul to the age of Ectoplasm and EVPs, Roach doesn't just cover these milestones in paranormal research, she re-examines them.
She goes to Cambridge University just to get a hold of a recorded sample of ectoplasm (now that's dedication!), travels to India to observe studies in reincarnation, enrolls in a medium school and travels with the IGHS (once one of the largest associations for ghost hunters) to investigate EVPs. Everything's covered up until recent developments in her book. Hell, even Michael Persinger's "God Helmet," which is eventually used in an episode of "Paranormal State," is featured in her book.
The bottom line, in my opinion, is this: I think it's important, now more than ever, to re-examine the past in order for us to move forward with how we want to pursue paranormal investigation in this new century. It's hard to find any website that covers the extensive history of paranormal research, but Roach takes a very ambitious crack at it. All the more important, Roach's book doesn't read like a history text (if that's what you're looking for, I suggest "Ghost Hunters" by Deborah Blum). It's simply about one woman's scientific quest to investigate the afterlife. This leads her down many paths, and her revelations are, well, surprising and honest.
I highly recommend this book for paranormal investigators and enthusiasts. It's a great discussion piece. If you're part of a paranormal team, this is a good book to discuss, chapter-by-chapter, every meeting or so. Have your team read a few chapters and then research more about the subjects covered. There's enough in here to make even the novice investigator a little more well-rounded.
Roach does a great job at balancing the scientific and spiritual, which, in my opinion, is one of the most difficult tasks imaginable, especially for a scientist/skeptic. Yes, be a little forewarned, Roach is a skeptic, sometimes to the point of irrationality. But again, the great thing about Roach is that she's at least honest enough to admit it. Even when she's wrong.
RYAN'S REVIEW: B+
------------------------------------------
You can learn more about this book by visiting the AMAZON website.
WHAT PUBLISHER WEEKLY SAYS:
Roach perfectly balances her skepticism and her boundless curiosity with a sincere desire to know. She ranges into the oddest nooks and crannies of both science and belief (and scientists who believe), regaling the reader with tales of Duncan Macdougall, a respected surgeon who weighed consumptives at their moment of death to see if the escaping soul could be measured in ounces, and of female mediums who, during séances, extruded a substance called ectoplasm from their private parts (she even examines a piece of alleged ectoplasm archived at Cambridge University).
by Mary Roach
WHAT RYAN SAYS:
In the 21st century age of Para-TV (yours truly included), Mary Roach's book offers a refreshing, entertaining-yet-educational journey in to paranormal history by dissecting some of the greatest claims (and frauds) over the past 200 years.
You'd think that the paranormal section at Barnes & Noble would be filled with more books like this. Alas, quite a few rows are dedicated solely to love potions. And if I see another "How-To-Be-A-Ghost-Hunter" manual pop up, I'm going to start taking hostages! I mean it! If you're a paranormal investigator looking for actual substance, then Mary Roach's thought-provoking book is at the top of my current recommendation list. In fact, we have decided to include this book in our training course this semester. It's funny, witty, smart, provocative and, well, relevant!
I'm a strong supporter of history lessons for paranormal investigators. You'd be surprised to learn how many paranormal investigators out there rely on the Internet for their information. As lovely as the Internet is, it has yet to replace the power of the book. History is important, and Roach does a good job at covering the Greatest Hits (and embarrassments), if you will, of paranormal investigation over the course of nearly 200 years. From scientists attempting to weigh the soul to the age of Ectoplasm and EVPs, Roach doesn't just cover these milestones in paranormal research, she re-examines them.
She goes to Cambridge University just to get a hold of a recorded sample of ectoplasm (now that's dedication!), travels to India to observe studies in reincarnation, enrolls in a medium school and travels with the IGHS (once one of the largest associations for ghost hunters) to investigate EVPs. Everything's covered up until recent developments in her book. Hell, even Michael Persinger's "God Helmet," which is eventually used in an episode of "Paranormal State," is featured in her book.
The bottom line, in my opinion, is this: I think it's important, now more than ever, to re-examine the past in order for us to move forward with how we want to pursue paranormal investigation in this new century. It's hard to find any website that covers the extensive history of paranormal research, but Roach takes a very ambitious crack at it. All the more important, Roach's book doesn't read like a history text (if that's what you're looking for, I suggest "Ghost Hunters" by Deborah Blum). It's simply about one woman's scientific quest to investigate the afterlife. This leads her down many paths, and her revelations are, well, surprising and honest.
I highly recommend this book for paranormal investigators and enthusiasts. It's a great discussion piece. If you're part of a paranormal team, this is a good book to discuss, chapter-by-chapter, every meeting or so. Have your team read a few chapters and then research more about the subjects covered. There's enough in here to make even the novice investigator a little more well-rounded.
Roach does a great job at balancing the scientific and spiritual, which, in my opinion, is one of the most difficult tasks imaginable, especially for a scientist/skeptic. Yes, be a little forewarned, Roach is a skeptic, sometimes to the point of irrationality. But again, the great thing about Roach is that she's at least honest enough to admit it. Even when she's wrong.
RYAN'S REVIEW: B+
------------------------------------------
You can learn more about this book by visiting the AMAZON website.
WHAT PUBLISHER WEEKLY SAYS:
Roach perfectly balances her skepticism and her boundless curiosity with a sincere desire to know. She ranges into the oddest nooks and crannies of both science and belief (and scientists who believe), regaling the reader with tales of Duncan Macdougall, a respected surgeon who weighed consumptives at their moment of death to see if the escaping soul could be measured in ounces, and of female mediums who, during séances, extruded a substance called ectoplasm from their private parts (she even examines a piece of alleged ectoplasm archived at Cambridge University).
Trackbacks
-
8/22/2008 12:33 PM
skeptic wrote:
Bookmarked your post over at Blog Bookmarker.com!
i wish i would have read this sooner seeing as how i was looking for new books today..instead i got the usual.."horror" i guess?..fiction which will surely rot my brain as much as tv..only in a much nerdier fashion. thanks for the recommendation.i'll surely keep it in mind next time i'm book shopping.
Reply to this
How ironic. Last week, this book was being discussed among my friends via blogs after I posted a review on a website. Is it synchronicity or is the paranormal community that small of a world?
I read the book a few years ago after seeing it on The Daily Show. It had two qualities I like in literature: is made me laugh and think. My friend wrote rather unfavorable about Roach's work, but I have it good marks. Skepticism is important and most investigators avoid it too much. I believe it's important to look at both sides of any argument to grasp it fully. And, well, honestly, I believe that too much of the world takes itself far too seriously.
Thanks, Ryan. I feel better now. LOL
Reply to this
I have also read Ms.Roach's book SPOOK, a few years ago, and itb really sent my interest in the Paranormal soaring. I also recommend her other book "Stiff".
Reply to this
I'm very new to the world of paranormal research. Actually, it was Paranormal State that finally convinced me that the paranormal exists. Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for doing what you do, and thanks for the book rec! I'll definitely be reading it.
Oh, and if you do start taking hostages, feel free to take me...
Reply to this
How do I explain me, I keep an open mind about what it is I do or I am going to do. I'm a skeptic until the Investigation has been throughly searched. I don't cut corners, that's sloppy paranormal work. It doesn't look good when your faced with the media of people and or the people in which your working for, to help them come to grips with what's going on here. Helping them figure out if what they see, feel that perhaps it maynot be what it is, perhaps its something else and until we figure out from the information we are searching for, that at least I'm not there to label my clients as nut cases. For people who have issues and want to find the answers, so they can move on, that is my job. I welcome this book and hope to have a good read from someone who took the time from a skeptic's point of view to explain in detail the balancing the scientific and spiritual concept.
Reply to this
Looks like a trip to Border's is in order for us this weekend. The book sounds very good, and a must read for those of us who take this paranormal stuff seriously. I don't wanna be a cool chick with a camera and a good set of teeth. I want to be an investigator and help people. Thank you for the heads up on this, Ry!
Ryan's Response: Well, although I think I understand what you're trying to say, I also think that a good set of teeth never hurt anyone!
Reply to this
Thanks for the suggestion. I was on my way to hunt for a good read, so you settled that decision. I'm looking forward to reading it.
Reply to this