Now here's a handsome volume! And satisfying too, as author Hans Stefan Santesson presents a solid little primer on cultural attitudes to the idea of reincarnation through the ages. Santesson was an editor, primarily of science fiction, with an interest in the paranormal that lead him to write this text among others. There's honestly not a lot for me to say about this one, as Santesson does a quietly professional job putting it all together. He has some gentle but firm criticism for paranormal researchers such as Morey Bernstein, the amateur hypnotist who popularized the massively popular case of Bridey Murphy. In general Santesson strives for even-handed appraisals of the evidence, and achieves what so many paranormal authors can only feint at with their assertions to rationality and fair judgement. This proves to be a prudent approach, considering the disappointing conclusion of the Bridey Murphy saga. An important theme throughout is the power of folk traditions and mythology separate from (and sometimes in opposition to!) official dogmas and doctrine.
Santesson gives us a nice bibliography and recommended reading. In contrast to the solid main text, the ads in the back feature multiple titles by hash-slinger Brad Steiger, including his seminal pseudonymous bullshit volume The Abominable Snowmen. Such as it ever was in the world of the paranormal paperbacks!
Award Books, 1969
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