Field Guide to the Spirit World: The Science of Angel Power, Discarnate Entities, and Demonic Possession

This belligerent treatise from Martinez (The Lost Continent of Pan) on the persistent attack by demons and evil spirits on the souls of hapless humans is as exhausting as it is dubious. Taking to heart the quote by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, “I don’t need scientific proof,” Martinez resolutely denigrates DNA science, claims that ghosts haunt because “the Outer Darkness is filled with stupefied souls,” and blames serial killers on “spiritual parasites” and controlling mothers. Martinez’s most egregious chapter is “Countless Mental Vagaries,” in which she questions, in a conspiratorial tone, why the medical community doesn’t acknowledge spiritual causes for mental illness. Rather irresponsibly and against common medical wisdom, she doubts that brain chemistry imbalance is the cause of conditions such as obsessive compulsive, bipolar, and schizophrenia, proclaiming: “To change the name from spirit possession to mental illness does not change the facts.” Quotations, extensive references to previously published works, and confusing acronyms also disguise conspiracy theories and faux science as academic research. Even readers acquainted with occult spirituality will find the assertions in this problematic book deeply suspect. (Mar.)