The Mystery Library - ESP

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-A research-oriented overview. Individual chapters on telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, and psychokinesis join others on the nature of ESP and "How State of Mind Affects ESP." Each segment presents a few typical cases illustrating the type of psychic phenomena under discussion. The bulk of each chapter describes techniques used in significant research studies and experiments, and their results. The activities of doctors J. B. and Louisa Rhine are presented in more detail than in most works on this subject as are the efforts of several other researchers. Black-and-white photographs depict famous psychics and researchers and some of the testing techniques employed. The ideas of skeptical debunkers such as James Randi, David Marks, and Richard Kammann are given equal weight with those of believers in paranormal events. Overall coverage is similar to that in Elaine Landau's ESP (Millbrook, 1996) and Daniel Cohen's ESP (Messner, 1986; o.p.), but Netzley offers the latest opinions in addition to early research results. The annotated list for further reading contains well-chosen titles, the earliest of which was published in 1995, and the compilation of works consulted offers a wide variety of opinions. While not the most comprehensive discussion of parapsychology possible, this is an excellent, up-to-date supplement to older and more sensational accounts.-Ann G. Brouse, Steele Memorial Library, Elmira, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.