From Booklist
Prompted by a personal experience she interpreted as evidence for extrasensory perception, the late author embarked on an exploration into research on the subject. Mayer, who was a psychoanalyst by profession, in this work recounts her journey, which involved collecting ESP anecdotes, interesting her professional peers in the subject, and sifting through formal research into psychic phenomena. The latter process extends back over a century, to investigations supported by philosopher William James, as chronicled in Deborah Blum's
Ghost Hunters (2006). Mayer summarizes the work of James' Society for Psychical Research, delves into one researcher's projects in the 1930s, describes the CIA's interest in "remote viewing" in the 1960s, and paraphrases research papers of more recent vintage. She never crossed the scientific Rubicon to announce QED on ESP but was bravely enamored of the possibility of its existence. How else to explain the recovery of her daughter's stolen harp, whose location Mayer said was pinpointed by a psychic dowser? Mayer's catalog of personal experience and seemingly rigorous research into "anomalous cognitive events" should inveigle those similarly intrigued.
Gilbert TaylorCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Review
“Logic meets ESP in a risky, profound, convincing new book.
Extraordinary Knowing offers a revolutionary new way of understanding the world”—
O, The Oprah Magazine“A remarkable journey of discovery, bringing together personal experiences and scientific experiments, and uncovering and dissolving taboos. Mayer has a unique ability to combine scholarship and sophistication with freshness and curiosity.”—Rupert Sheldrake, Ph.D., author of
The Presence of the Past and
The Sense of Being Stared At
“This important, paradigm-shifting book beautifully weaves stories of extraordinary knowing with a challenge to science as we know it: to help us honor and understand the true nature of these experiences.”—Andrew Newberg, M.D., author of
Why God Won’t Go Away
“An enthralling account, amazing and convincing. Mayer's work holds the promise of enabling a new level of dialogue between realms of science and spirit."—Huston Smith, Ph.D., author of
The World's Religions
“Extraordinary Knowing breaks the seal on the stronghold of the cool, logical intellect. Inside, we find exciting and irrefutable evidence that what we call ‘reality’ is far more magical and exciting than we’ve ever dreamed. What a fabulous book!”—Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of
Mother-Daughter Wisdom, The Wisdom of Menopause,
and
Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom
“A fascinating exploration of the mind and of what it might be to be human. Mayer opens up intriguing new vistas for thinking about our deeper connectedness."—Adam Phillips, author of
Going Sane and
Side Effects
"A book to rejoice in. Mayer opens thrilling new possibilities for science and its applications."—Larry Dossey, M.D., author of
Healing Words
“A fascinating look at the power of non-local awareness to transcend the limits of the linear mind. Dr. Mayer writes with a sense of awe and fierce intelligence.”—Judith Orloff, MD., author,
Positive Energy“Marvelous…the most exciting and important work I’ve seen in a long time. Mayer has courage as well as brilliance.”—Louis Sander, M.D., Professor Emeritus, Boston University School of Medicine
From the Hardcover edition.
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