From Library Journal
Irwin (psychology, Univ. of New England in Australia) wrote this book as a textbook, and it shows. Each chapter ends with a list of terms and study questions, and though coverage is similar to many other surveys in the field, the extremely academic style makes it much less readable. Further, the bibliography consists largely of articles in periodicals, many dating from before 1980 and probably unavailable except in universities with a parapsychology department of long years' standing. Surprisingly, many notables are not listed in the Index of Names, including James, Hyslop, Ducasse, Piper, Bro, Garrett, and Cayce. All in all, not of value to public libraries in this country.- Jeanne Bagby, formerly with Tucson P.L.Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Book News, Inc.
Irwin (psychology, U. of New England, Australia) assesses the present- day status of parapsychology as a scientific enterprise. For college students at all levels. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The objective of this book is to provide an introductory survey of parapsychologists' efforts to explore the authenticity and bases of anomalous, apparently paranormal phenomena. Dr. Irwin outlines the origins of parapsychological research and critically reviews investigations of extrasensory perception, psychokinesis, poltergeist phenomena, near-death and out-of-body experiences, and the evaluation of parapsychology as a scientific enterprise.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

Irwin (psychology, Univ. of New England in Australia) wrote this book as a textbook, and it shows. Each chapter ends with a list of terms and study questions, and though coverage is similar to many other surveys in the field, the extremely academic style makes it much less readable. Further, the bibliography consists largely of articles in periodicals, many dating from before 1980 and probably unavailable except in universities with a parapsychology department of long years' standing. Surprisingly, many notables are not listed in the Index of Names, including James, Hyslop, Ducasse, Piper, Bro, Garrett, and Cayce. All in all, not of value to public libraries in this country.-- Jeanne Bagby, formerly with Tucson P.L.

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