Rating: 
Summary: Our Universe Is Not What It Seems.....
Review: Only one word can describe this book...., WOW. Nothing in this book is an actual recognised theory, but it makes sense. It makes so much sense that it's hard to understand why it isn't a full blown theory yet, or that many progressive scientists haven't caught on to it yet. For instance, the brain works like a hologram. All memories are stored in the brain at every single point in the brain. 98% of the brain can be removed (any given 98%) and NO MEMORY loss will occur. Any part of the brain can recall every single memory you've every had...and what works like this? A hologram. Every piece of the original object contains the entire stucture of the whole.This book coroborates modern science with ancient knowledge that our 3D universe is just an illusion, that none of this physicalness is real. And, maybe that's the "danger-zone" that nobody wants to cross into yet. Because, then, what does this elude to? It would mean our higher dimensional selves are our true selves and this physical 3D version is just a reflection.
Rating:
Summary: An interesting and thought provoking book
Review: A friend recommended this book and I bought & read it blindly not knowing what it was about or what to expect. It started out very scientific; with facts & experiments. For example it talks about how holograms are stored and projected, then it goes on to discuss how holographic type of storage may be used by our brains. This was just an amazing read. Then a little past half way, the book started to take on a more spiritual aspect ... this kind of caught me off guard, but I kept reading anyway. As it turns out, it presented to me alot of alternate thoughts about the world. I didn't agree with everything it put forth, but it really presented something to think about. This is definitely one of the most important books I've ever read. Even now, years later, I think about the concepts in this book regularly.
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Summary: A BRILLIANT MAN WHO DIED BEFORE HIS TIME
Review: This book is an absolute must read for anyone interested in "paranormal" phenomena. Thought provoking in the extreme and highly credible, this book makes quantum physics understandable to the lay person. It lets us know that "reality " is only so real. By bringing together numerous sources documenting the existence of paranormal phenomena, he lets us know that these phenomena are too prevalent to be rationally dismissed as they so often are by society at-large. Unlike many people who are drawn to books describing paranormal phenomena, Talbot had direct knowledge and experience with paranormal phenomena. These expereinces coupled with his superb powers of discernment allowed him to give us a brilliant overview of things "paranormal" and to place these phenomena into a scientific context. He successfully bridged the two worlds. I commend him for pulling of a stupendous feat. He has made a real contribution. Also recommended: 1) Reinventing Medicine (Larry Dossey), 2) The Fire From Within (Carlos Castaneda), 3) The Path (Esmeralda Arana), 4) Far Journeys (Robert Monroe).
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Summary: Holographic Universe ... sculpted solid by Consciousness
Review: In this riveting, mind-bending book about the REAL nature of reality, Michael Talbot forces the readers to look beyond the rational/common-sense/"scientific" view of our universe and delve deeper into the subtler, more "real" nature of our universe. Mr. Talbot's bases his argument on the version of quantum reality as interpreted by physicist David Bohm. David Bohm theorized that our universe - which he called the explicate order - is actually a 3-D holographic projection of a deeper, more subtle reality calling it the implicate order. Talbot further takes into account the holographic nature of our brain/mind as propounded by Karl Pribram. In quantum physics, the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox, where a pair of photons traveling in opposite direction display the same angle of polarization when measured at any moment of time, seems to give the impression of communication between them at speeds greater than 'c'. This in effect violates the universal ban imposed by Einstein on the max speed any object/particle can undertake. The other way around this paradox is to view the process in a holographic way. Even Neil Bohr in his famous argument with Einstein on the EPR paradox proposed that the two particles were not separate but part of the indivisible system which in turn strengthens Bohm's Holographic Universe viewpoint of the deep interconnectedness of each particle in this universe with every other. The apparent solidity, colors, spatial locality and causality associated with our universe is but a perception of our brain which presents a blinkered and veiled view of our world and thus the illusion. The nature of the implicate order - from which our universe has come into being - is non-local and non-causal. The book then takes into account the experiences of the NDE'ers (near-death-experiences) and OBE'ers (out-of-body-experiences) and myriad mystics and shamans, who have described this implicate order/heaven as a place of immense peace and joy, where time and space as we know it ceases to exist, a place populated by being/beings of light/God and constructed by pure thought. Readers who are interested in gaining insights and philosophies into the nature of our universe and the very purpose of our existence on this planet should definitely give this book a read. Very enriching, insightful and equally entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Suspend your preconceptions and you may have an epiphany ...
Review: "I am sure you have gone astray if you are moved to homesickness for anything in this dimension. We transform these things; they are not real, they are only the reflection upon the polished surface of our being." ~~ Ranier M. Rilke, from "Requiem for a Friend" You've heard the parable of the five blind men who examined an elephant, to find it "like a rope, a tree, a wall, a spear, or a snake", depending on whether they encountered tail, leg, torso, tusk, or trunk? The polarities of the other 68 reviews remind me of that parable. I must comment to three: to 5-star "Mindboggling!!!!", who said, "...should be the new "Bible"!!!"; I liked it, too. But please, let's not. We've religions enough; to 1-star "The only book I ever trashed ... ", who threw it away, because, "To sell it would have made me feel guilty that someone might read it and believe it."; On behalf of the libraries to which you deprived a donation, thanks. Check out Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" at the library nearest you. You may find yourself. And to those who raked Talbot over the coals for his "unscientific" approach, I recommend your re-read his introduction, and understand his intention. For works of a sufficiently scientific approach, explore his 25 page bibliography. Part one begins, "Sit down before fact like a little child, and be prepared to give up every preconceived notion, to follow humbly wherever and to whatever abyss Nature leads, or you shall learn nothing." T. H. Huxley, quoted on the overleaf. Part One so thoroughly drew me in that I could not put the book down. Chapter 1: The Brain as Hologram (Pribram). Memory; local or non-local, that is the question. Do specific memories reside in specific locations (cells)? That they do is stipulated as the commonly accepted view. That they do not is put forward with evidence from Pribram's work, along with that of Penfield, Lashley, and others. Hologram fundamentals are reviewed (keep in mind "reference beam", "object beam", and "interference pattern"). Eyesight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste are spoken of as operating in frequency spectrums. How does associative memory work? And photographic memory? The statement that "there is evidence that neurons respond individually to narrow bands of frequencies" (everything has a resonant frequency) leapt off the page at me. The inference I take from it is that, in a holographic model for memory ~ and consciousness itself ~ our five senses provide the "reference beams". Talbot touches upon transference of motor skills, phantom limb phenomena, and the idea that the brain employs Fourier Transform to process and comprehend sensory input. He concludes by alluding to Pribram pondering the implications of his theory with respect to the nature of reality and how we experience it. Chapter 2: The Cosmos as Hologram (Bohm). Quanta only behave as particles when we look at them; they are interconnected (both at a distance, instantaneously, and with near-conscious, self sustaining behavior, in a plasma). Physicist Nick Herbert is quoted, "...Likewise humans can never experience the true texture of quantum reality because everything we touch turns to matter." It's a very small leap from there to infer that our brain's cognitive processes influence the physical world as much as the physical world influences us.
The remaining seven chapters are an exploration of these ideas and relate to a variety of phenomena: placebo effect, dreams, hypnosis, psychedelic drugs and psychedelic experiences WITHOUT drugs, shamanism, precognition, near death experiences ~~~ everything but the kitchen sink. I cannot express my thoughts here succinctly enough to fit the word count limit. Be prepared for an excursion into things for which there is no explanation, and to which "pure science" replies "insufficient evidence". There was so much material concerning psychic phenomena that at times it seemed as though Talbot was shouting "Look, look! You cannot ignore this." But then, for the most part my own spiritual beliefs already accommodate things that he seemed intent of providing overwhelming evidence to support. I just have evidence enough of my own (experiential, not "empirical") that it wasn't necessary. Most of it I did find fascinating. The only exception was Talbot's personal experiences with "poltergeist" phenomena, which, while I understand their influence on his curiosity, seemed to detract a bit from the body of evidence he presents. Personally, I'm not overly impressed with phenomena, and do not hunger for it. Truth impresses me. Alot. That's where my particular appetite peaks. And I think Talbot is on to something true. "Holographic Universe" was an epiphany for me. I'll concede "Holographic Universe" is not "purely scientific" enough for stalwart academics. it may well be a map to the "Rosetta Stone" for how human consciousness functions within the quantum universe: a "sneak preview" to a "theory of everything" that has the capacity to account for human "mystical" experience, including a plausible explanation of the form and function of the human soul. Name any "pure scientist" who did not, at least in private life, ponder "purely unscientific" philosophical implications of their work in the context of a higher meaning. I cannot. Talbot portrays Pribram and Bohm as deserving, for their departure from the "orthodox" view, their own unwritten chapters in "Profiles in Courage". "Everywhere I go, I find the poet has been there before me." ~~ Jung "We transform these things; they are not real, they are only the reflection upon the polished surface of our being ..." ~~ Rilke
Rating:
Summary: The standard!
Review: Talbot uses the theory of the Hologram to describe our view of reality and explain our types of consciousness. This is an excellent and well written work that should have you believing in all sorts of 'paranormal' things after you've finished it. Outstanding book, on my top ten list!
Rating:
Summary: A whole new idea of where theoretical physics is taking us!
Review: This is a fascinating book that tries to relate the holographic theory of existence to other paranormal phenomena, such as out-of-body experiences, near-death experiences, and U.F.O.s. The book is well researched and well documented, and the author works hard to maintain scientific validity while exploring very strange and controversial theories. Michael Talbot does a good job of communicating complex issues and theories to laymen. This is a very interesting and provocative book - highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: The only book I ever trashed...
Review: ... And I mean, I actually threw it in the trash. To keep it would have been a reminder of money wasted. To sell it would have made me feel guilty that someone might read it and believe it. The central hypothesis is simple: the brain has properties similar to holograms, therefore, the universe is one big holographic projection of the mind. Logic is notably absent from the rest of this book as well. If you are looking for answers, you would be well advised to look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Holographic Universe
Review: This book really gets you thinking. You need to have a few days to ponder over it and then accept the fact that the theory presented here will change the way you look at the world.
Rating: 
Summary: hmmm
Review: I would still like to see an inteligent skeptics view of this work.
It was exciting yet.... didn't seem to question itself much though.
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