ESP, A SCIENTIFIC EVALUATION

by C.E.M. Hansel ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

The author, who holds the Chair of Psychology at the University College of Swansea, University of Wales, uses the sharp and often brutal edge of scientific reason and investigation to sever the tenuous bond between ""accepted evidence"" and conclusion in the field of parapsychology. ""It is the purpose of this book to analyze all those investigations that have been called conclusive."" Concentrating on the four areas- Telepathy, Clairvoyance, Precognition, Psychokinesis- for which the strongest evidence has been produced, Mr. Hansel neatly dissects such major experiments as the Pearce-Pratt, Pratt Woodruff and Soal-Goldney series and comes up with a glaring pattern of recurrent error, misinterpretation and/or fraud. He traces the history of psychical research examining cases which were particular landmarks and cases which illustrate the manner in which experimental error could and did arise. He also relates the out and out ""Trickery"" of the early famed spiritualists such as the American Fox Sisters who produced mysterious ""knocks"" from the other side by cracking their toe and knee joints or the Italian Prima Eusapia Palladino who turned out to be something of a fantastic contortionist. In conclusion, the author does not rule out the possibility of ESP but as he has so adeptly shown, there is as yet no ""conclusive evidence"" for it. It's erudite, of special interest but easily read.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Scribners

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1966

Categories: NONFICTION