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98 of 111 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cum grano salis, a Valuable Compendium, January 25, 2004
Dr. Gerber comes across as an enthusiastic, articulate, knowledgeable, perceptive, open-minded, and well-intentioned guide to a host of subtle-energy therapies ranging from flower essences to radionics. This reviewer found of special value his discussions of Electroacupuncture According to Voll, experiments with healing hands and magnets, and the neurophysiology of kundalini. His characterization of homeopathy as an energy therapy certainly seems on target. He also sprinkles intriguing insights into the psychology of healing throughout his general exposition of the commonly argued theoretical framework of energy medicine.So this book offers very readable, rich fare to scientists, medical practitioners, and ordinary people who want to learn about the entire field of energy medicine, including the underlying scientific and psychological theory and the interconnections among the various modalities. However, four deviations from perfection must be noted. First, this is a monoglot and provincial book. Even though the author refers to healing practices around the world, he exhibits a strong tendency to favor the North American versions. The narrative shortchanges the major contributions of the Russians, although ironically Kirlian is termed a Russian instead of an Armenian. Second, the science of biophotonics (chemiluminescence) and the well-documented practice of Biophotonic Therapy (Photoluminescence), the treatment of the blood by light, are central to an understanding of energy medicine. Yet the book simply doesn't discuss the findings in the extensive biophotonics and BT literatures. Third, aside from an inadequate concluding chapter, the book is rather dated. Most of the references are to the literature of the 1970s and early 1980s, but plenty of interesting research has been done since then. Fourth, the reader will want to take with an appropriately sized grain of salt Dr. Gerber's assertions regarding the proclivities of the healer caste of Atlantis, the validity of "channeled information" from psychics (a key source), reincarnation as a source of physical ailments, and the reality of various astral and higher spiritual life forms. Nonetheless, he deserves great credit for the effort and intelligence with which he has assembled and explained the therapies and theories of this fascinating and vitally important field.
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