Rating: 
Summary: A compelling and entertaining read!
Review: This case study, told by psychologist Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD, would be impossible to believe -- if it were not for the fact that the author has been known to me, and millions of others, for over a decade as the dignified and intelligent host of the national, public television series, Thinking Allowed. PK Man deals with phenomena that are mostly relegated to fictional accounts like Harry Potter, Star Trek or the X-Files. But, Mishlove's documentation is impeccable in convincing me that the events he describes actually did take place. And, as Mishlove concludes, the case deserves further study because phenomena of this type are rare. The book is about Ted Owens, who died in 1987 and who was studied by Mishlove for more than ten years. Owens claimed that he was in telepathic contact with hyperdimensional beings he called the "Space Intelligences." By virtue of this connection, Owens attempted to prove -- over and over again -- that he could control large-scale events such as hurricanes, climatic changes, UFO sightings, poltergeist phenomena, and power blackouts. Ted Owens called himself the "PK Man." PK stands for psychokinesis, the parapsychological term for mind over matter. Typically, Owens would produce his forecasts, in writing, to Mishlove and other scientists in advance of the actual events. Newspaper descriptions and eye-witness accounts would follow. The events forecast by Owens (who claimed he would actually be "causing" them -- with the help of the Space Intelligences) were quite unusual and highly unlikely. That any of them at all happened, in fact, is strange enough. But, Mishlove documents dozens of such events. So, the big questions are: was this mere coincidence? Did Owens actually cause the events as he claimed, or did he predict them? Either possibility is extremely interesting. The events that Mishlove describes are highly dramatic. I imagine some Hollywood studio will want to create a feature film about this book. The special effects would be incredible. And the story is very compelling. But, more important, the book raises significant issues about the nature and power of human consciousness itself. This is the part that is intriguing to me, as I imagine it will be to many readers of this book. Ever since the days of William James, America's first psychologisy who lived a century ago, researchers have been presenting their case for the existence of paranormal abilities. I think that Mishlove's book may well be the most forceful account available and deserves careful reading. One more thing. In addition to raising all sorts of compelling questions, the book is well written and is an excellent read.
Rating:
Summary: An amazing story
Review: This is a story of a PhD candidate's interaction with a unique man, Ted Owens. He claimed to influence weather, fix professional sporting events, and remotely influence people and things. Unfortunately, the combination of Ted's personality and the narrow studies of those with whom he interacted, there was no true scientific study on his psycho-kinetic abilities. This a is great intermittent story about a man who no one took seriously. Although I would like to think that this world is more open minded now than in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, I still believe that if Ted Owens brought his story to these researchers again, the only one who might have studied him would have been John Mack, and only due to the extraterrestrial claims. This is a great read. Dr. Mishlove leaves you wishing that someone had actually sponsored a scientific study of all of his claims.
Rating:
Summary: An amazing story
Review: This is a story of a PhD candidate's interaction with a unique man, Ted Owens. He claimed to influence weather, fix professional sporting events, and remotely influence people and things. Unfortunately, the combination of Ted's personality and the narrow studies of those with whom he interacted, there was no true scientific study on his psycho-kinetic abilities. This a is great intermittent story about a man who no one took seriously. Although I would like to think that this world is more open minded now than in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, I still believe that if Ted Owens brought his story to these researchers again, the only one who might have studied him would have been John Mack, and only due to the extraterrestrial claims. This is a great read. Dr. Mishlove leaves you wishing that someone had actually sponsored a scientific study of all of his claims.
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