Appearance
Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife
Probably too light and airy to appeal to anyone with the slightest bent towards science, but will perhaps appeal to those looking for a light read on a skeptical topic. For most of the book I wanted to believe that she was just being somewhat restrained, but by the end it becomes rather clear that Mary Roach's writing skills are better than her science, logic, or skeptical courage.In the final chapter of the book she professes that she wants to believe, despite all evidence, that life after death exists, but she admits that such a desire is unscientific. So, what's with the subtitle Mary Roach?? Believing something for the sole reason that you desire it to be true, is not only unscientific, but the cause of a great deal of the world's problems.Sam Harris, the author of the End of Faith, has a great analogy for this type of desire. If someone comes up to you and says they have the world's biggest diamond buried in their backyard, you might be skeptical and ask them for more details. If the person's reasoning is that the diamond must be there, because it if is not there, then their life lacks meaning, few people would take this as a good indication that there really is a diamond buried in their yard. Just wanting to believe something is utterly irrelevent to reality.Since every person she interviewed for the book, no matter how nutty, wanted to believe in life after death, how is Mary Roach's desire to believe in something more valid than that of the lunatics she interviewed? One expects more from someone who uses the word "science" in her subtitle.
Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife
I can't believe anyone would call Mary Roach mean (earlier reviewer). I thought this book was fun, interesting and thought-provoking. There are very few books about death that truly approach the topic from an open-minded perspective. Most authors are either hell-bent on debunking anything that hints of spirituality and the (possible) beyond OR they offer a simplistic view in which they seem to have it all figured out. I think she presented some very interesting (and at times, odd) historical information that I probably would never have encountered anywhere else. And I really enjoyed her various interjections and light-hearted humorous jabs. The book is also a little bit about the author and the journey she takes examining the various topics- it's meant to be a little bit autobiographical. It's part of the charm. Without her little interjections, the book would be interesting, but lack a heart. I sincerely got the sense she was searching for something, which I could appreciate because I'm currently in a similar state. Anyway, I really liked it. Thank you Mary Roach.
Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife
Mary Roach has a satirical whit and a skeptical eye that always keeps me bubbling with enjoyment. This book focuses on life after death, and the author's attempts to prove or disprove it. Mary Roach has a very easy, pleasant style of writing. She typically addresses socially controversial issues and uses a scientific approach to write about them. Her style of writing is very refreshing because she never takes things too seriously. She is very down-to-earth and yet still maintains an open mind. This book was a fun read, and I had to laugh out loud at times. Mary Roach is like that aunt you have that tells you stories about your parents when they were young and impulsive. She serves to remind us that those people in authority (that you're told not to question) are just people too. The audio edition of this book was very good, and read well by a great narrator.
Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife
Really enjoyed this book. Loved the humor, along with the facts. This author truly has done her homework. She has traveled extensively, and it shows. The differing points of view expressed by different cultures makes for terrific reading.Best of all, our book club was fortunate in having Ms Roach attend one of our meetings. We felt as if we had known her forever, and were so pleased to have her with us to answer questions. I have just ordered "Bonk", and look forward to seeing Ms. Roach at a local book store when she will be talking about her newest book.
Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife
I love Mary Roach's writing style. While she tackles all of her subjects with a journalist's integrity, she writes about it with a sense of humor. In this fascinating look at the afterlife, Roach takes you through her personal research into all types of phenomena associated with the human soul. Reading the book, you can't help but feel entertained and informed all at once.
Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife
This was the first book I've read by Mary Roach, and it won't be the last. Roach has a witty and skeptical mind, and she uses it to good effect in examining different ways that science has explored the afterlife. Roach isn't afraid to insert herself into the story, whether going along to interview a child that may have been reincarnated to enrolling in medium school. She brings a light touch to the subject, yet manages to work a whole bunch of science-cy stuff in a way that was fun and interesting. Although I didn't necessarily expect to entertained or amused by this book when I started, I was (entertained and amused). Plus I learned a lot of different things--some of which I wish I could wipe from my memory (e.g., the method in which mediums hid their "ectoplasm").Roach explores quite a few ways that scientists have used to quantify, prove or document the soul and/or the afterlife. Some of the areas explored in the book include: interviewing children who were allegedly reincarnated; how early scientists looked for the human soul ... in sperm; attempts to measure the a soul by having people expire on a scale; a look at "the giddy, revolting heyday of ectoplasm" and mediums; modern mediums (including the lady that is the model for the TV show Medium); using acoustics to hear the dead; telecommunicating with the dead; hunting for ghosts; and attempting to measure near-death experiences in the operating room.If you're looking for an offbeat read about a subject that I suspect all of us might be just a little bit curious about and you'd like a guide who is both an amusing and talented writer, then this gem of a book is for you. I personally enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. And although Roach's results are pretty inconclusive, she does hold out some tantalizing food for thought that won't leave readers completely empty-handed.An excerpt: Carpenter points out that leprechauns have a volume similar to that of a human Mac. "This makes me suspect, " he writes, "that Leprechauns ... are most likely discarnate humans." This makes me, in turn, suspect that Donald Gilbert Carpenter is most likely not the staid scientists that his many equations and tables suggest.Another excerpt: "Right," says the tutor after a minute has gone by. "Does anyone not feel a contact?" No one raises a hand. I haven't got my energy out the door, and apparently everyone else's is off in heaven at an ice-cream social. I raise my hand. The tutor comes over and puts her hand up to my face. She asks if I can feel my face. What does this mean? It's not numb, so I guess the answer is yes. I nod. "Okay, good, you've got it." She turns back to the group. I don't read minds, but I think I know what's going on in hers: AVOID THE YANK. The Yank is trouble.