Remote Viewers : The Secret History of America's Psychic Spies

Rating:
Summary: Remote Viewing Primer
Review: "Remote Viewers" by Jim Schnabel remains as the most comprehensive book on the history and development of the Remote Viewing Program within the United States as any I have ever read. His perspective as an investigative reporter from the outsider being exposed to the phenomenon of RV research for the first time, gave him the unique opportunity to take a more broad view of the entire history of the subject, and the personalities involved. The astounding developments of notable "psi events" obtained through the methods employed by the various RV teams keep the reader turning pages in fascination while at the same time weaving in the history and step by step development of the different techniques used to achieve those astounding events. Instead of a singular biography, as so many of the RV books have become, this book is more of a collection of biographies, and unabashedly even covers the tensions and personality clashes that occurred under such a stressful and competitive project.
Such "psi events" include seeing and being able to accurately illustrate people and places distant in space and time, the ability to influence the health of individuals by mental prowess, telekinesis, even the ability to affect electronic equipment at a distance by powers of the mind alone. Further to his credit, the author gives a detailed description of the competition between various countries to develop such techniques, leaving this reader further convinced of the urgency of continued and more varied research into this subject. In reading this book for the second time, I became more acutely aware of a phenomenon called telepathic interrogation, where remote viewers were able to negotiate with the mind of soviet spies over a distance, without the soviet spies even realizing what was taking place! It makes one wonder, when contemplating to the conversations we have in our minds when making decisions, who it is we are actually debating with! Like any great goal that is sought, the RV phenomenon is not without risks as well, and those are discussed in this book, although few specific cases are given.
I found the information within this book both encouraging; in as far as we have come in this taboo subject in a relatively short time. On the other hand, it is also discouraging, in that at least as far as we are told, the lack of funding for research in this field has resulted in a stagnation of what should become the greatest hope for humanity, rather than a mere instrument for war. I cannot help but wonder, does it never occur to any of these countries, rather than "remote influencing" a target into cardiac arrest, why not "remote influence" the target into philanthropic, or humanitarian goals? I am further discouraged that loss of funding seems to prohibit a broader investigation, such as the Chinese work with light frequencies showing up on sensitive film as a result of remote viewing, on page 233. It would seem there are several avenues largely open to further investigation, such as historical procedures for engaging the "signal line", or remote viewing under hypnosis.
"Remote Viewers" by Jim Schnabel remains, in this reader's opinion, the primer for all those interested in exploring first hand the mysteries of psychic phenomenon and its application in today's world.

Rating:
Summary: Remote Viewing Primer
Review: "Remote Viewers" by Jim Schnabel remains as the most comprehensive book on the history and development of the Remote Viewing Program within the United States as any I have ever read. His perspective as an investigative reporter from the outsider being exposed to the phenomenon of RV research for the first time, gave him the unique opportunity to take a more broad view of the entire history of the subject, and the personalities involved. The astounding developments of notable "psi events" obtained through the methods employed by the various RV teams keep the reader turning pages in fascination while at the same time weaving in the history and step by step development of the different techniques used to achieve those astounding events. Instead of a singular biography, as so many of the RV books have become, this book is more of a collection of biographies, and unabashedly even covers the tensions and personality clashes that occurred under such a stressful and competitive project.
Such "psi events" include seeing and being able to accurately illustrate people and places distant in space and time, the ability to influence the health of individuals by mental prowess, telekinesis, even the ability to affect electronic equipment at a distance by powers of the mind alone. Further to his credit, the author gives a detailed description of the competition between various countries to develop such techniques, leaving this reader further convinced of the urgency of continued and more varied research into this subject. In reading this book for the second time, I became more acutely aware of a phenomenon called telepathic interrogation, where remote viewers were able to negotiate with the mind of soviet spies over a distance, without the soviet spies even realizing what was taking place! It makes one wonder, when contemplating to the conversations we have in our minds when making decisions, who it is we are actually debating with! Like any great goal that is sought, the RV phenomenon is not without risks as well, and those are discussed in this book, although few specific cases are given.
I found the information within this book both encouraging; in as far as we have come in this taboo subject in a relatively short time. On the other hand, it is also discouraging, in that at least as far as we are told, the lack of funding for research in this field has resulted in a stagnation of what should become the greatest hope for humanity, rather than a mere instrument for war. I cannot help but wonder, does it never occur to any of these countries, rather than "remote influencing" a target into cardiac arrest, why not "remote influence" the target into philanthropic, or humanitarian goals? I am further discouraged that loss of funding seems to prohibit a broader investigation, such as the Chinese work with light frequencies showing up on sensitive film as a result of remote viewing, on page 233. It would seem there are several avenues largely open to further investigation, such as historical procedures for engaging the "signal line", or remote viewing under hypnosis.
"Remote Viewers" by Jim Schnabel remains, in this reader's opinion, the primer for all those interested in exploring first hand the mysteries of psychic phenomenon and its application in today's world.

Rating:
Summary: Accurate account of the U.S. government and remote viewing
Review: "Remote Viewers" is the definitive account of the U.S. government's dalliance with psychic espionage. Author Jim Schnabel approached remote viewing as a debunker, but in doing research for the book discovered that there really was something to the phenomenon, and revealed instead the rich history of the government program and the colorful personalities associated with it. In the course of his research, he interviewed several dozen people, including nearly ALL of those most closely associated with the program's beginnings, development, and operations, and gained unprecedented access to both open and secret sources. To make the account as authentic as possible, Schnabel even managed to convince reclusive Ingo Swann--one of the primary forces behind the development of remote viewing--to train him personally in coordinate remote viewing, or "CRV." Consequently, Schnabel is able to provide a concise but thorough description of the remote reviewing process. The book makes excellent reading, crammed full as it is with fascinating anecdotes about remote viewers and the amazing contributions they made to national security. "Remote Viewing" is essential reading for anyone interested in the government's psychic espionage program

Rating:
Summary: Boring!
Review: This book reads like a 60 minutes news story stretched to 10 days. It's reads like this..

"John x astounded the skeptics by going into a trance and sketching a diagram, when Mike B heard about it, he took it one further by claiming to read the mind of the target, John x was not please and took it further by..."

And it goes on like that. Whether the writer wanted to state the facts or provide an interesting read is unclear. This is more like a dull military brief. Read Moorehouses book instead. At least its more interesting. I lost interest in the subject after reading this book.

Try again please.

Rating:
Summary: Thorough and Informative, but not definitive.
Review: This is a good book for the reader interested in an introduction to the U. S. Army's Remote Viewing program. It is information, comprehensive and balanced, offering no judgements but documenting the often controversial history of the government's foray into psychic spying.

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive
Review: This is one of the most comprehensive and detailed books I have ever read on the remote viewing program. It is a well balanced look at the program and the various remote viewers who were part of it. Despite the "findings" of the likes of Ray Hyman, there was a lot of good work done by the likes of Ingo Swann, Patrick Price, Joe McMoneagle, etc. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: TWO THUMBS UP
Review: This was as much a story about the meanderings to get this program funded as it was about the psychic process itself. Through the years the scientists who conceived it and the military and CIA's fondness for retaining it went through many different stages and degrees of popularity. Sadly, the book never really consolidated the two themes, i.e. funds and psychic 'viewing,' and the result was a disjointed and lapsing tale. Many examples of successful viewing examples were detailed but the real value to the espionage activities that trafficked across the globe during those Cold War years never built suspense. The author mistakenly chronicles too many personality details. These included generals, politicians, (Byrd of W.V. a real supporter,) the viewers themselves and even about a chapter on Uri Geller which also faded into smoke. Divorces, psychiatric breaks, heart attacks and alcoholism were probably no more or less than the normal life events of that group of the population, but reading them in such depth, there was always the expectation that they would yield some better insight into the process- yet it never did.

There were several occassions when what the viewers prophesied did in the end prove accurate. But there was only one example where the viewing LED to the success of a mission- other times, after the event was completed it so happened that yeah, the viewers had said that was where it was. Carter endorsed the practice, but little is said about the role or lack thereof in the remote viewers involvement in the failed attempt to free the hostages. Many considered that to be Carter's Swan song.

There were a few points when the process either attracted supernatural visions, (large birds in bedrooms,) and/or initiated psychiatric breaks that also would have been well to pursue further. The incidents were startling but like the rest kind of slipped into nowhere and were never picked up again.

Still, as the author was not devoted to the results, had not intended to initiate or 'convince' the reader, the objectivity of the facts seemed reliable. I would be more inclined to buy his reckoning of the events than the more first hand memoirs although I feel they'd be an altogether more enjoyable read. Unfortunately, the book lacks any of the page turning excitement of good investigative journalism. Too bad, cause all of the ingredients were right there! My verdict- something's true about this- but it is useful- that has not been established and my gut says, "nah."