Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Customer reviews
I had read quotes from this book for years but I hadn't actually read the entire thing. Somehow, I thought that it was "dated" in terms of newer work. That was stupidity on my part. This book was far ahead of its time. Nor is it dated. True, theoretical physics has continued to advance, but what is included still serves its purpose as a tool to expand the mind. Koestler didn't present quantum phenomenon as an explanation for parapsychological effects- he used it as negative support in the sense that if respected scientists can believe this, then why should we automatically reject ESP, PK, or synchronicity? Substitute "string theory" for where he uses "quarks" and it still serves its function.I admit that the examination of the statistical approach to parapsychology almost bored me to the point of putting the book down. It is well written, but the subject is inherently boring for some of us. It is with the discussion of the classical sort of experiments such as those carried out by the Society for Psychical Research that the book gets really interesting. This is carried on into the comparison of Kammerer's Seriality and Jung-Pauli's Synchronicity. What I found most fascinating of all was the author's speculation on the connections with the Pythagoreans, Neo-Platonists, and the philosophers of the Renaissance (the Harmony of Spheres, the anima mundi, correspondences, and the sympathy of all things.) He goes on to mention the similarity to the underlying Oneness of Christian mystics, Buddhism and Taoism. He even points out the connection to the thoughts of Schopenhauer.I now see that many profound thoughts that I attributed to others were expressed here first. It would have saved me some time to have read it first. No wonder so many others quote from it.
Images in this review
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2017
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2016
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2006
Verified Purchase
I had read quotes from this book for years but I hadn't actually read the entire thing. Somehow, I thought that it was "dated" in terms of newer work. That was stupidity on my part. This book was far ahead of its time. Nor is it dated. True, theoretical physics has continued to advance, but what is included still serves its purpose as a tool to expand the mind. Koestler didn't present quantum phenomenon as an explanation for parapsychological effects- he used it as negative support in the sense that if respected scientists can believe this, then why should we automatically reject ESP, PK, or synchronicity? Substitute "string theory" for where he uses "quarks" and it still serves its function.
I admit that the examination of the statistical approach to parapsychology almost bored me to the point of putting the book down. It is well written, but the subject is inherently boring for some of us. It is with the discussion of the classical sort of experiments such as those carried out by the Society for Psychical Research that the book gets really interesting. This is carried on into the comparison of Kammerer's Seriality and Jung-Pauli's Synchronicity. What I found most fascinating of all was the author's speculation on the connections with the Pythagoreans, Neo-Platonists, and the philosophers of the Renaissance (the Harmony of Spheres, the anima mundi, correspondences, and the sympathy of all things.) He goes on to mention the similarity to the underlying Oneness of Christian mystics, Buddhism and Taoism. He even points out the connection to the thoughts of Schopenhauer.
I now see that many profound thoughts that I attributed to others were expressed here first. It would have saved me some time to have read it first. No wonder so many others quote from it.
I admit that the examination of the statistical approach to parapsychology almost bored me to the point of putting the book down. It is well written, but the subject is inherently boring for some of us. It is with the discussion of the classical sort of experiments such as those carried out by the Society for Psychical Research that the book gets really interesting. This is carried on into the comparison of Kammerer's Seriality and Jung-Pauli's Synchronicity. What I found most fascinating of all was the author's speculation on the connections with the Pythagoreans, Neo-Platonists, and the philosophers of the Renaissance (the Harmony of Spheres, the anima mundi, correspondences, and the sympathy of all things.) He goes on to mention the similarity to the underlying Oneness of Christian mystics, Buddhism and Taoism. He even points out the connection to the thoughts of Schopenhauer.
I now see that many profound thoughts that I attributed to others were expressed here first. It would have saved me some time to have read it first. No wonder so many others quote from it.
Images in this review
... a bit technical in some areas but overall a great read. Power through this book and become more ...
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2016Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Jimmywiggles
You just have to be interested in a book like this
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2018Verified Purchase
T Harvey
Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2016Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Good read, thought provoking subject
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2016Verified Purchase
Dee Dee
Good.
Reviewed in Canada on February 22, 2016Verified Purchase
Florence319
Thought-provoking as ever ....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2015Verified Purchase
