PK

This is by far the most comprehensive study of psychokinesis that I have come across. The author, despite being an academic, writes in an easy manner that makes the book a joy to read. The book starts with PK through the ages, covering such areas as levitation, stigmata, teleportation, bilocation, fire immunity, mediumship, psychic healing and poltergeists. She provides a wealth of examples, all of which are fully referenced. The first section covers anecdotal evidence. The second section covers the research that has been done in these areas over the last century, and the theory behind psychokinesis. The third section covers experiential research which is intended to explain the significance of PK. What I particularly liked about this section is that each topic is divided into three subsections: what the literature says, how it relates to the other constituents, and a summary. I found it helpful to read the summary first, as this gave me a clear idea as to what was going to be covered under the specific topic. The book contains a comprehensive glossary, references, and index.

I wish "The PK Zone" had been written twenty years ago, as it would have saved me an incredible amount of time and energy. Virtually everything that anyone would want to know about the subject is in this book. I recommend it to anyone with even the slightest interest in the subject. Beginners will gain a comprehensive picture of psychokinesis, and more knowledgeable readers will learn much that is new to them.

"The PK Zone" is a project that was started many years ago as part of a personal quest to try to understand psychokinesis (PK). It took me on a long road, leading to my getting a doctorate degree in parapsychology. The basic idea for the format of "The PK Zone" came out of my dissertation. I discovered to my horror that no one had summarized the experimental literature since about 1976 - meaning I had to go through every journal article and book I could find since then and try to summarize them. Moreover, most academic books ignored stories about PK as unscientific, and no one had previously studied what the experience of performing PK is like for those who actually do it. This seemed like a mistake. How can you understand such a complex topic unless you really ground yourself in the material? The answer is simple. You can't.

It was not an easy task - nor one I particularly wanted to do - but it had to be done. And what I found was, when I finished putting together all the anecdotal, experimental, and experiential data, that for the first time I felt like I truly understood PK. It was deeply satisfying, but I also wanted to share what I had learned with others.

The next four years were spent rewriting, and updating The PK Zone to take it out of academic double talk and make it more understandable. I was helped in part by simultaneously working on a paranormal romance novel, called "Out of Nowhere." What I ended up with was a casual writing style that presents all that we currently know about this intriguing topic.

"The PK Zone" is set up to lead the reader on the same journey that I took. First, it looks at stories of PK from cultures around the world. Next, it reviews the experimental literature and what science has taught us about the phenomena. With this rich backdrop, the reader is then ready to appreciate the final section of the book - the complex, interactive nature of the experience.

"The PK Zone" was winner of the iUniverse Editor's Choice Award, receiving the maximum points possible. The reviewer wrote, "This book is a tour de force, examining not only the long and controversial history of PK, but ultimately challenging the reader to find out for himself whether every person might not actually have latent PK ability. Since the earliest days of levitating saints to the latest research being done in the PK field, this book covers it all, and is painstakingly documented every step of the way. It's a topic that is both timely and timeless, and the reader is hard pressed to put it down once they've started reading ... The hardest thing is not to sound too enthusiastic, when this may be the best written, researched and told book this reviewer has seen to date!"

I hope you enjoy the book.

I have read this book and I salute this author for her ambitious and remarkable undertaking. As far as I know, no one else has ever attempted or succeded in writing or publishing such a comprehensive and scientific compilation of what is known about psychokinesis. This is no fluff-bunny book, but a serious work that is both easy to read and worth your time. It belongs on the shelves of all who really wonder about the mysteries of this world and are tired of just a collection of second or third hand stories. After reading this volume I look forward to the next subject this author tackles. Buy it.

This book tells the classic tale of the one-legged tin soldier who falls in love with a paper ballerina. The soldier suffers a series of misadventures, including being placed at the helm of a doomed paper boat, being chased by a rat, and swallowed by a fish. It's a wonderful tale that will hold older children spellbound. The illustrations are delightful. All told, the book has about 2000 words.

A little boy had a set of tin soldiers that were made from a melted spoon. One soldier was missing a leg because there was not enough metal left over from the melted spoon.

Tossed aside by the boy, the one-legged soldier sees a paper cut out figure of a ballerina. She is poised on one leg and he feels an instant bond. He has found another one-legged toy and believes this to be love.

The steadfast tin soldier has a series of mishaps. He falls off the window sill into a stream. From there, he is transported to a rat infested sewer. He is swallowed by a fish and through an unlikely stroke of luck, winds up back in the boy's playroom with the other toys and the ballerina.

The ending is what gets to me every single time. A gust of wind lifts the paper ballerina up and she flutters into the fire place, winding up a charred heap of ashes. Devastated, the tin soldier joins her. The remaining metal that was once the tin soldier is a charred piece of heart shaped metal.

I still think this is a very sad story. The photographs really emphasize the feeling this story evokes.

I taught 1st grade for 4 years and all of the teachers in my grade passed this book around at Christmas to read to our class. I cried everytime I read it. It has a wonderful message and my kids in my classroom always loved it! I have now (finally) purchased my own copy of this book to read to my little girl. It is a classic and I know she will love it as much as I do. Every home should have this book to read at Christmastime.

Excellent service. Book was shipped same day and I received it 2 days later.

Admittedly I haven't read a lot of sociology textbooks, but this one is quite good. Every chapter has real-life examples (and many of the author's own experiences), so it not only makes you know the theory but also feel it at work in our societies, although the author writes quite a lot of his own feelings (it's dead obvious that he wants to change the world), which I don't know if it's a good point or not.

Random House should reissue "Dino Songs" IMMEDIATELY! When our son was very young he was crazy about dinosaurs so we collected all sorts of items. We inherited this book and tape from a cousin and it immediately became a favorite with the whole family. The songs are clever, informative, and make for a very fun sing-a-long. Ten years later, the tunes come back to us with ease. Parents' will love it as much as the kids!

This book is the best introduction to the story of the first Christmas that I have seen. It provides a short and sweet explaination of Mary and Joseph, their journey to Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus, the visitors to the stable, and why we celebrate Christmas today. Fabulous illustrations, especially for those little animal lovers. Wonderful for toddlers...my two year old wouldn't let me put it away after the holidays were over!

I like this book. My eye-opener, though, was not so much Ted Owen's abilities to affect the weather, sporting events, etc., but everyone else's strong and determined disbelief that he could do any such thing. The feeling was something like waking up one day and discovering that you live in a different world than most people; and though you knew it, you never really "knew" it. It's like discovering that gravity or electricity - common forces that one has accepted as basic facts of life - are preposterously outré for most of the people around you.

Say you've experienced static electricity while combing your hair. You can make your hair stand up using some invisible force of attraction. But since the comb doesn't actually touch your hair and "magically" works at a distance, no one believes you. Instead of combing their own hair to check this out, they tell you that you are fooling yourself, that you're crazy - even dangerous. Doing un-godly things. Exercising evil powers. Some do decide to check you out. They wet your hair to conform your phenomena to their experimental methodology; and when the "comb effect" doesn't work, you're labeled a charlatan. So it goes.

If you find yourself in such a place, you either become an extraverted psychic pyrotechnician like Ted Owens or you hide this ability under your hat and quietly conform to the critics.

Owens clearly had "issues" -some sort of narcissistic disorder for which he compensated by using his powers - like a huge neon sign that said "Look at Me!" Through self-hypnosis, he worked and developed his ability until it reached a high power level. To continue the electrical metaphor, it's as if he combed his hair a lot and saved the electricity in a Leyden jar for later use, or figured out the principle behind static electricity and then created an industrial-strength dynamo.

His personal idiosyncrasies do not invalidate his powers, nor are they necessary concomitants to those powers. And his powers do not absolve him of their reckless use.

The Space Intelligences: maybe, may be not.

Many traditions around the world (especially in the East) stress that psychic powers should be used for the good of the community but are really best left alone. They are distracting sideshows on the road to "better living."

Mishlove does an admirable job laying out the story, the evidence, and the counter-evidence. The writing is accessible. The author manages to tell the story as objectively as possible and dispenses with the eerie or "woo-woo" angle -- which could easily be played up to increase book sales. No, one gets the clear impression that Mishlove published this book as a duty to science and not to line his own pockets. He did so at some risk to his career as well. His motives are honest.

All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about humanity's latent abilities. For further study check out biographies on Swedenborg, Tecumseh and just about any Saint or Swami worth their salt.

Many people will become VERY angry about this book.

Some will become angry because they assume they spent money on trash.

Others will become angry because they will begin to understand that they have denied their God given power for years.

I wish to give Dr. Mishlove two thumbs up for his masterful research and doccumentation.

Ted Owens lived far from a saintly life, and had a fragile ego, and used his power for both positive and negative ends, and he will be held accountable for the way he used or misused this power.

Now to Mr. Owens idea that he communicated what he wanted done to Space Intelegences (SIs) Twitter and Tweeter, and they were the ones that carried them out. In my opinion; Tweeter and Twitter did not actualy exist. I believe they were only figments of his imagination in an attempt to seperate him from the responsibility of what he did.

Rabbi Yonasson Gershom wrote a terific review below. However; he is in error about one thing. It IS possible for mankind to affect the weather. The American Indian has influenced the weather for Millennia. I say weather modification can be done because I have done it myself.

I have doccumentation where I have taught students to direct this force (Akasha, Ch'i, Itaki, Ki, Mana, Manitou, Nuwati, Orgone, Orenda, Ruach and many other names) and punch holes in clouds, affect candle flames, and more.

I also have doccumentaion where I have affected the energy field of people from thousands of miles away.

The good Rabbi is absolutely correct about evil and negative entities. I also have doccumentation where I have performed house blessings and exorcisms.

In "Chi Kung: For Health and Vitality" Sifu Wong doccuments sending ch'i to a person 2000 miles away for healing.

In one chapter of this Book Dr. Mishlove doccuments a sudden onset of a severe sore throat immediately following a heated telephone discussion with Ted, then Ted calling Dr. Mishlove two hours later appologizing, and promising never to do that again, and the sore throat left as suddenly as it appeared.

This also can be done. In several of the case reports of "Recovering The Ancient Magic", and "The Secret Science Behind Miracles" Max Freedom Long doccuments some Hawaiian Kahunas using the death prayer and killing people in a matter of days, whether the intended victim was aware of the curse or not.

Dr. Alberto Villoldo a deffinate disbeliever at the time doccuments where he tests a Shaman to affect his health negatively from thousands of miles away, and doccuments it in his book "Shaman, Healer, Sage".

I only hope that people will raise the blinders and become aware of the power given to us by our Creator, and use it for the betterment of mankind.

We should use this power to heal mother earth and all of our relations.

Please E-Mail me if you have questions or comments about my review. Two Bears.

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

Psychokinesis is when "the mind exerts a direct influence on distant physical systems, with no known mechanism of mediation," or more simply, mind over matter. However it is defined, Ted Owens possessed PK ability. Or perhaps it possessed him.

Jeffrey Mishlove, Ph.D. tells Owens' fascinating story in The PK Man. Respected as an authentic investigator of spirituality and parapsychology, Mishlove writes books, hosts a talk show on public television, and serves as a director of Intuition Network.

He established contact with Ted Owens in 1976 and began "an investigation into the supposed powers and life of this eccentric man." He witnessed and recorded demonstrations, interviewed other witnesses, and collected documentation. After years of observations and study, he concluded that "Ted Owens had the rare gift of mind-over-matter."

Mishlove analyzes everything that's known about Owens, including his often petty uses of his powers.

Owens took credit for causing earthquakes, hurricanes and other weather disturbances, and power blackouts. He wanted to be believed and have his powers accepted, but often chose the wrong way in his aggressive attempts to gain attention.

Because of his capricious nature, Owens was often dismissed as a crackpot. He also claimed to have received his powers from "Space Intelligences" and at times said his actions were directed by the Intelligences rather than himself. Some experts claimed that Owens had psychic abilities which allowed him to accurately forecast events, rather than to cause those events as he claimed to do.

Mishlove attempts to sort through all the conflicting claims and confusion surrounding Owens. He doesn't always agree with what Owens has to say, and at one time angered the self-styled PK Man to the point of retaliation. Mishlove fell victim to a physical ailment that Owens took credit for causing.

Was Owens "the world's greatest psychic" or "a prodigious liar and dangerous con-man"? Mishlove presents the known evidence in The PK Man so you can decide for yourself. But take warning--many intriguing questions remain unanswered. You may end up wondering about the PK Man for a long time to come.

I know several people who swear by the 1-2-3 method, so this book is good for those that actually get their kids to listen when they count to 3. My son just laughs and starts counting with me! Good luck!

A Parent with a child that has ADHD will be greatly pleased at
the ease of reading this little book and praise the author for
it's simplicity.The rewards are heaven sent.

This children's book is about a little witch who has to stay home on Halloween for being too good. When three trick-or-treaters come to her door asking for treats, Little Witch doesn't have any treats, so she gives them a ride on her broomstick. This book was well-written and well-illustrated, but I thought it was a little boring. Written by Deborah Hautzig and Illustrated by Marc Brown, an okay book to read, but not one I'd want to buy.

This book is easy for me to read. It is a little sad at first, but then it gets exciting.

This "STEP into Reading" title is a Step 2 book which means it is intended for Grades 1-3. It is the first of several titles featuring the sweet and fun-loving character, Little Witch, charmingly brought to life by illustrator Marc Brown. The other witch characters Mother Witch, Grouchy Witch, Nasty Witch and the pet bat, Scrubby are funny and not at all scary. The story begins on Halloween when Little Witch is made to stay home from the witchly revels because she has been too GOOD! Oh, the shame of it! She ends up meeting some trick-or-treaters and they have a lot of fun together. There are lots of funny rhyming spells and exciting and good-hearted adventures. Halloween fun abounds. The pictures and the text are lively and will definitely encourage interest. I recommend this not only as a great incentive for reading but as an enjoyable Halloween story that can just as well be read aloud by a parent. Don't miss Happy Birthday, Little Witch. It's good, too.

This book is great. It's a little challenging, but it's not because of the book, but the subject.

P.S. A physics book cannot be outdated.

If you want to learn basic physics including motivations for advanced concepts, this book is the one. If you gonna study physics just to get a good grade and indeed not interested in beauty of physics (in freshmen level), don't buy this book; you can try "Fundamentals of Physics".
If you think the number of examples are not enough in Ohanian's book, bookstores are full of ordinary freshmen physics books icluding solved problems with colorful "drawings" and "pictures". Maybe it is the best to read Ohanian's book "very carefully" and "very detailed" and follow a second book to see more solved examples.

I am shocked to see such lousy responses to this book. I have been using this book for two semesters in college and have had nothing but success with it. I have over 15 physics books and the most thorough and complete one is the Ohanian one. The strategy of this book is to teach physics with a calculus approach instead of a simplified version for the weak. Classical physics was developed by Newton, and he developed it using calculus, so this is the way to go if the serious student wants to learn and really understand classical physics. Also, I have encountered very few errors in this book, so if your solution doesn't agree with Ohanian's, it may be due to a mistake on your part.

This paperback was a major disappointment. I already have excellent hardback dictionaries, including the Collegiate version. But this version doesn't come close the Collegiate, and may not even be resourceful for eighth graders. The book struck out on the first of three inquiries. A closer look revealed polysyllabic words are few, and less common words are rare. If you're looking for a lightweight paperback to supplement your other resources, this dictionary is NOT it.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary continues the fine tradition of dictionaries being the only books containing all (or an abridged portion, in this case) of the words in a particular language (here, English). From "aardvark" to "zytol", you can find it here.

The style of writing takes some getting used to. Merriam and Webster use a kind of stop-and-go, highly punctuated style of writing that makes the reader stop and think about each element and its place in the work as a whole. Some things about the book are mildly confusing, such as the fact that new characters are introduced at the rate of 30-50 per page, all the way through the book. Some of them are complex, like "Pneumoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis", while others are common and transparent, like "the". All the characters come together in the end to form an amazingly realistic portrait of the living organism known as the English language.

I don't want to spoil the plot, but Merriam and Webster have done some amazing things with explaining words using other words, and also with incorporating every known word in the english language in the style of past dictionarial masters. A can't-stop journey from start to finish, for sure.

The best pocket-sized, paperback dictionary of American English. With 70,000 words, this dictionary abridges the 215,000-word "Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary" (which, in turn, abridges the 445,000-word "Webster's Third New International Dictionary Unabridged"). The name "Webster's" long ago passed into the public domain, but these three dictionaries--and the Merriam-Webster brand--are the lineal descendants of Noah Webster's original nineteenth-century dictionaries, the first dictionaries of American English, which have been in print continuously for almost two centuries.

I keep this paperback handy on my desk for ready reference (along with a thesaurus, a style manual, and a usage dictionary). On the shelf nearby, I keep a more extensive basic reference set, including the heftier hardbound "Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary," of which this paperback version is a subset. This dictionary is highly abridged, thus not the most appropriate reference if you are looking for a word's detailed etymology, for an obscure word, or for thoroughness. But when writing for a nonliterary audience, when clear and simple communication is the goal, this book is a good check against writing that is getting too high and mighty. If a word does not appear here, I think twice about using it, keeping in mind the Fowler brothers' first "general principle" of good writing: "Prefer the familiar word to the far-fetched."

If you are buying one and only one dictionary, go with the hardbound "Collegiate Dictionary": it is more complete, yet stays within the realm of familiar words. But if you can manage, I recommend stocking both that dictionary and this one. Keep the hardbound version on the shelf, within reach, and consult it as necessary; but keep this one at your fingertips, and consult it routinely.