The Truth About Medium: Extraordinary Experiments with the real Allison DuBois of NBC's Medium and other Remarkable Psychics (Hardcover)

~ (Author), (Author) "One fateful afternoon in February 2001, I was visited by a pair of ladies who had called and asked to set up an appointment with..." (more)
Key Phrases: mediumship research, research sitter, secret sitter, Laurie Campbell, Esther Gussie Susy Running Totals, Susy Smith (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School–For 10 years, Schwartz has been running experiments regarding people who claim to talk to and/or see the dead. One of the most famous of these, Allison DuBois, was one of his research subjects. As a result of public interest generated by the show, the author, a psychology professor, saw the need to share the results of his research, hence his book. Truth and DuBois own book, Dont Kiss Them Good-bye (S & S, 2005), reinforce one another. Kiss will change many skeptics to believers. Schwartzs book, on the other hand, may cause believers to feel skeptical unless they read the whole thing. Schwartz seems unwilling to completely believe the results of his own double- and triple-blind experiments. While he presents the evidence (some of which involves the work of DuBois), he sometimes hedges his bets, using such words as apparently to qualify the actuality of his researcher/mediums connections with the dead. Schwartz writes in a popular style, readily accessible to teens, and he raises some fascinating questions not addressed by the earlier book.–Judy McAloon, Potomac Library, Prince William County, VA
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Review

Boldly tackles objections of skeptics. Weaves a tight, intelligent discussion about the difficulties of scientific testing of 'wild talents.' -- Fortean Times, January 2006

Chronicles experiments tested on psychic, Allison DuBois. Reveals hard evidence that psychic ability and communicating with the dead are real. -- Mysteries Magazine, October 2005

Detailed survey of the life of Allison DuBois. Goes beyond conjecture and speculation to present the author's own scientific probe. -- Internet Bookwatch, January 2006

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing (October 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571744592
• ISBN-13: 978-1571744593
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,493 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

132 of 145 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real Truth, October 25, 2005

By	Michael E. Tymn (Kailua, Hawaii) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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At first glance, the title of this book is a little confusing as one is inclined to wonder why "Medium" is singular. However, the subtitle explains that the reference is to NBC's hit drama, Medium, based on the life of true-life medium Allison DuBois.

And while the title also suggests an exposé of some kind, it is definitely not that, although the author points out that the television program is not completely based on fact.

Dr. Gary Schwartz, the author, is the director of the Human Energy Systems Laboratory at the University of Arizona. In his 2002 book, The Afterlife Experiments, he detailed his early research with mediums, including John Edward, who hosted a popular television program, Crossing Over, for several years. This book picks up where Schwartz left off in the 2002 book, discussing his continuing research with other mediums, including DuBois.

Schwartz clearly validates and praises DuBois and the other mediums discussed in the book. "As far as I can tell, they have an extraordinary and genuine gift," he writes. "They can do specific things with their minds - getting accurate information about deceased loved ones - that I had been educated to believe was impossible."

Schwartz explains how he first met DuBois and her then medium-mentor, Catherine Yunt, and how he initially put them to the test. He also discusses subsequent experiments, including one with popular spiritual author Deepak Chopra and another in which the late Princess Diana seems to have communicated to a British journalist who had been a friend when Lady Di was alive.

While recognizing that much of what he relates in the book will exceed the "boggle threshold" of many readers and will result in more hissing from his cat-like colleagues, Schwartz courageously pushes on in the pursuit of truth, pointing out that if we become more "survival-minded" we can find new meaning in life. While admitting that his current experiments do not provide definitive proof of survival of consciousness after death, he concludes that the available evidence is consistent with survival.

Schwartz concludes the book with a prediction that "those of us who hunger for understanding the existence of life and the meaning of love will at some point be able to celebrate the reality of spirit and soul, and the magnificent intelligence of a universe that has equipped our species with the potential to discover scientifically this fundamental spiritual truth."

As Schwartz states in the Introduction, if you already believe in survival of consciousness after death, the book "will make your heart smile." If you don't believe in survival and are befogged and cramped with lifelong materialistic prejudices, you'll probably just get a headache, assuming you take the time to read it. If, however, if you don't believe in survival but are open-minded, you may very well find yourself rethinking your earlier position.

Unfortunately, you'll likely find many people in the second category - the pseudo-skeptics with blinded eyes and cloudy intelligence proudly parading under the "science" banner - attempting to discredit Schwartz, calling his research faulty and saying he is a traitor to science. They know nothing of the extensive research carried out by other esteemed scientists, such as Sir Oliver Lodge, Sir William Barrett, Sir William Crookes, Dr. James H. Hyslop, Dr. Richard Hodgson, and many others who came to the same conclusion as Schwartz after extensive studies of mediums. But these scientific fundamentalists along with the religious fundamentalists, who see it all as demonic, may very well be a necessary evil. Back in 1854, Victor Hugo, the famous French author, was communicating with high spirits through a medium and asked why God does not better reveal himself. The reply came: "Because doubt is the instrument which forges the human spirit. If the day were to come when the human spirit no longer doubted, the human soul would fly off and leave the plough behind, for it would have acquired wings. The earth would lie fallow. Now, God is the sower and man the harvester. The celestial seed demands that the human ploughshare remain in the furrow of life."

In effect, absolute proof is not a good thing. However, for those who choose to give up ignorance and blind faith for the conviction that comes from research such as that being done by Schwartz, life, especially the final years, can be so much more enjoyable.

50 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hooray for this Book, October 29, 2005

By	Arynne A. Simon (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The back stories of what we see on TV is vitally important and too- often not told by public relations people from the networks. Dr. Schwartz and William Simon really know what Alison DuBois can and cannot do. For those of us who are "hooked" on this TV show and wonder about the lady involved---the REAL lady -- this is a must-read book. These authors include other information to help people like me understand what is real and what is not. This is an important book and so precisely put together. Congratulations, I say. to the authors and publisher.

34 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Suckered by an actress...the REAL TRUTH, December 4, 2005

By	Anonymous - See all my reviews

I am posting this anonymously to protect the authors and as an example of what is being discussed on line in e-groups. Looks like the REAL TRUTH is that Schwartz has been suckered by a know actress who he claims is the "real deal". I'm so sorry he has lumped suck con artists with proven authentic mediums....I guess he is pretty desperate with very little genuine mediums to work with these days....

"One pages 25 and 26, Dr. Schwartz lists the names of mediums he claims to have tested and found to be genuine. I'm familiar with many of them and agree about those I know, except for the last name.

It was a huge shock to see that name and an insult to the other people on the list. I know her and have met her several times. She is in no way a true medium and it would have been quickly discovered if she had been tested. Any research on her history would have shown she is an actress and a celebrity look-alike. She has played the roles of Marilyn Monroe and appeared on television playing Pamela Anderson.

Her latest acting career is that of playing a psychic medium. THere is a medium near the top of that list that she has studied intensely as many times as she could. I've seen it in person.

If Dr. Schwartz had researched her at all, he would have discovered she is not real. She has removed most links to her former acting parts but some can still be found. Having her name on that prestigious list is now going to send more unsuspecting victims to her and help support her new career."

and another posting....

"Let us not forget the role Dr. Gary Schwartz in all this. He has given his "blessing" to this woman. If review's of his book on Amazon.com is any indication , there will be many who will now think she is the "real deal".
It is unfortunate, but in the area of mediumship there will always be those who will feed off other's grief and pain for their own personal gain."

and another..

"This is very disappointing. We have had such respect for Dr. Schwartz and his research, up until now. I don't understand how he can endorse someone that wasn't tested, someone with little experience and questionable background in the field, especially after the in-depth study that was source material for The Afterlife Experiments.

This could be a setback for the process. It's very discouraging."

and another...the posts go on and on....

"While I have not read the book, I have heard Dr. Schwartz speak a couple of times. He and a couple who lost a daughter have started an organization on Long Island called The Forever Family Foundation. After hearing Dr. Schwartz speak and also seeing hinm on the A