I began this review before realizing (through another review here) that the author tragically ended his own life in 2001 just a few months after this latest edition of the book was published. A touching account of the suicide can be found online, which makes it clear that continuing attacks/oppression by spirit entities were factors in his suicide.
First, I would like to heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in the phenomenon of channeling or any interest in the spirit/preternatural world. I also would give it more stars if it were possible to do so. Mr. Fisher applied some investigative techniques and actually researched the claims made by a multiple "spirit guides" channeled by one person, then expanded this approach to spirit guides channeled by other trace mediums. After extensive research and visits to sites all over the world, he concluded, reluctantly almost, that these spirit guides were very skilled and accomplished liars. He began to question whether their intent was anything other than malevolent, and he also concluded that trance mediums were placing themselves (as well as others that listen to the channeled spirits) at great risk of oppression and loss of free will, due to clever and progressively deepening insertion of these spirits into their lives.
Very noteworthy, he documents that these entities were able to effect healings, albeit temporary, and he also documents an unusual physical ailment he suffered that almost prevented him finishing the book. If you are familiar with the exorcism/deliverance literature, Mr. Fisher's narrative and conclusions will resonate with the progressive oppression and even possession typical of demonic entities, whom he angered by exposing them in a secular forum. What saddens me tremendously is that he could have broken free from oppression had he accepted that these entities were almost certainly demons, but he did not. He wrote, "Demons reverberate like a curse throughout the history of Christianity...But the notion of demonic influence has been laughed to scorn." He also noted that his own mother told him that demons were involved, but he dismissed the conclusion by noting that her response was predictable based upon "years of Christian conditioning." Late in the book he did acknowledge the views of some writers like William James (1842-1910), who evidently expressed great frustration with intellectuals of his time for refusing to accept that demons or evil spirits exist (nothing has changed, and now few Christian religious leaders address truth of demonic spiritual entities from the pulpit).
Although he considers several identities for these entities, he seems to conclude that these entities are most likely human ghosts stuck on the lowest (and least ethically developed) astral plane. However, the demonic warning signs are all around- an entity strongly claims that Jesus was only a man like anyone else, the spirits work to break up marriages to push people to despair and personal/professional ruin, and the author acknowledges that he can't really confront the spirits effectively because their evasive ability and knowledge of each person's weaknesses is extraordinary. If only, if only...
This book is absolutely worth your time, no matter what your spiritual orientation, and the courage of this author should be celebrated. He took on the New Age lack of skepticism and also the "spirit guides" by writing a book full of important information. He paid for it with his life.
For another harrowing story of betrayal by "spirit guides" with a better outcome, download the free book by Stacie Spielman, available on her website.
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