Reviews
09/12/2009
Alan H - Amazon.co.uk
"A brilliant book, easy for anyone to understand. I have been a paranormal investigator for over 6 years and have read many books in this field. A must own book for beginners and professionals alike. Easy to read and understand. proves that anyone can become a paranormal investigator without studying at university. Written in laymens terms, how to work in a professional manner on conducting investigations.
There is no oher book in the World, in my opinion, to match this one, so grab it while you can."
10/01/2010
Ruby - Amazon.co.uk
"The paranormal is a "hot" subject these days and this is one of the better books available to those who would like to start their own paranormal investigations. However it is much more than a handbook for the would-be investigator but will also appear to anyone with more than a passing interest in the paranormal.
The forward states that the authors have over 30 years experience investigating the paranormal with a scientific bias and that certainly comes over in the book. In fact the book is deceptive in its breadth and depth.
Individual chapters proceeded with a 'brief history' of that chapters subject which, especially armchair, investigators will find fascinating including probably the best overview of UFOs I have ever read.
For me this is what makes this book stand out from others in the genre - the depth of the authors' knowledge. The book is packed with real-life incidents and actual photos, alongside with helpful checklists, diagrams and instructions for leading your own investigation. The book looks good and is organised well with high quality and well laid out illustrations and images but please can we have an index in the next edition!
I particularly liked the way the authors have pitched this book and the extra detail and gentle humour that comes over in their writing.
As Messieurs Rosney, Bethell and Robinson would say....'Good Hunting' even if it is only from the comfort of your armchair!"
28/01/2010
Michael Hadfield -Eximius Paranormal research & Investigation
"This book has the potential to bring about a hugh shift in the quality of paranormal investigation, moving it from the realms of strange people making things up and being fooled by normality into the territory of the intelligently curious using real science to obtain evidence that stands up to scrutiny"
For the full review, go to http://eximiusparanormal.wordpress.com/2010/01/29/probably-the-paranormal-book-of-the-year/
16/02/2010
Howard Hughes - Award winning broadcast journalist & DJ - Presenter of the Internationally renowned 'The Unexplained' webcast
"I do get a lot of books sent to me, and a lot of publishers getting in touch saying 'we think it would be a very good idea for you to get in touch with our author and put them on so that they can promote their book'. Not all of them get on here, I have to say. Yours was a bit of a no-brainer, because it is so good."
To hear the full interview, please click here and select episode 31
09/03/2010
Lionel Fanthorpe - Writer, Broadcaster, Paranormal Investigator & President of ASSAP - The Association of the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena
"A Beginner's Guide to Paranormal Investigation is one of the most helpful and informative books on the subject that I have read during the past 40 years. It's essential reading for anyone interested in taking up serious research in this fascinating field of investigation.
The authors are deservedly well known in the field of paranormal research and have some 30 years of valuable and relevant experience between them.
What makes their book particularly useful and informative is the way that they go over the historical background of each paranormal and anomalous phenomenon and then present the theories associated with them. They also explain the equipment that investigators can use - and how best to use it.
As a long-established investigator myself, and one who has looked into strange cases all over the world for many years, I can only say that I wish this exceptionally good book had been there when I started. it would have been a tremendous help."
18/03/2010
John Rimmer - Editor of Magonia
"The authors of this book are an investigation team based in the north-west of England, and are regular guests on TV and radio talking about the paranormal and explaining their investigation techniques.
The book looks at a range of paranormal phenomena, and the ways in which they can be investigated in a scientific manner. I think it's fair to say that the authors are of their opinion that the events they study probably represent real, and as yet unexplained phenomena, however this does not mean they need to compromise the objectivity of their approach.
They look at the techniques for investigating reports of ghosts, photographic anomalies, cryptozoology, UFOs and, rather surprisingly the Raudive-style electronic voice phenomenon, which I thought had rather fallen off the edge of psychic research. They describe the types of equipment and techniques that a group would need to provide instrumented evidence of such phenomena; including infrared cameras, various kinds of recording instruments, how to plan an investigation in a logical way, as well as useful tips for dealing with interviewing witnesses, analysing eyewitness reports etc. They warn of the pitfalls of inadequate investigation and the types of misinterpretations that can occur, particularly in analysing photographic and video evidence.
The UFO section takes particular care in describing investigations that have resulted in clear identifications for reports and gives a very fair account of the ambiguity inherent in eyewitness accounts.
I think it would have to be a very well financed group to be able to afford all the equipment which is described, but any group using this book as its basic guide would be able to compile a pretty good account of any events it investigated, and avoid some of the horrors that have passed for 'case reports' in the past. Recommended.
For the full review, go to: http://pelicanist.blogspot.com/2010/03/investigators-guide.html