I thoroughly recommend this book. It tells an intriguing story and ends with thoughtful and thought-provoking reflections on its wider implications.
I enjoyed the book for many reasons. It was easy to put myself in the author's shoes and imagine having his reactions to and thoughts about the coincidences or more-than-coincidences he describes. The book is a page-turner: I wanted to know what happened next as the story unfolded, to interpret the quoted passages for myself and to see where the author's interpretations and questions were going to lead him. It was interesting to learn more about the life and beliefs of Arthur Conan Doyle (ADC) whom I have particularly admired since reading Arthur and George. And If ACD was really communicating in the way suggested, then the thought of this was quite appealing up to a point: the messages were meant to be helpful and, except at the very beginning, they were only given when sought; and there was nothing alarming or ridiculous-seeming about the method of communicating - unlike for example in poltergeist cases or séances where objects appearing from nowhere etc. are interpreted as the work of discarnate beings.
I qualified my last reason by saying `up to a point'. That is because it was one thing for the author to ask ADC to answer a question in his mind or comment on a particular matter he wanted his views on, but another for ADC (if this was what happened) to take it upon himself at the beginning to read the author' mind uninvited and direct his arm and gaze etc. This is an example of the `invasion of privacy' reason many of us have for preferring not to believe that anyone - dead or alive - can read our minds or guide our actions just because they choose to.
If the author has not forgotten quite how many misses he had compared with hits, or in other ways misled the reader, then he makes a strong case for concluding that the surviving personality of ACD has been communicating with him via his books. But to do this, the disembodied ACD would not only have had to know what questions and concerns were in the author's mind; he would also have to be able to `see' the arrangement of all his books on the author's shelves, to `see', or know through extraordinary memory recall, every line of every page in these books, and then somehow be able to lead the author to his choice of book, page and lines.
The author concludes that it is more likely that ACD was able to do these things than that the number of hits in his readings could be accounted for by coincidence or unconscious memory and selection. Maybe - what about other possible explanations that don't depend on the idea of survival? I am not at all sure myself what to make of Roger Straughan's story but am very pleased to have read it and will almost certainly want to read it again.
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.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
Top reviews from other countries
Ted Dixon
Enjoyable and thought-provoking
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2011