Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation

by Ian Stevenson

Book Overview

Can anyone speak a language he or she has not learned normally, in childhood or later? Claims to have accomplished this are made from time to time, but only rarely do they receive support when carefully examined. In this volume, Dr. Stevenson presents detailed reports of two cases that seem authentic. Authentic instances of speaking a language that has not been learned normally (responsive xenoglossy) suggest that another personality (perhaps one...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0813908728
• ISBN13: 9780813908724
• Release Date: October 1980
• Publisher: University of Virginia Press
• Length: 396 Pages
• Weight: 1.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.1" x 9.1"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Highly convincing

Before I read this book, I was not convinced about reincarnation, though it did seem to offer many advantages over the Heaven/Hell hypothesis. The two intellectually satisfying points were (a) there is no infinite punishment or reward for a finite crime or good deed and (b) it would explain the inequities we observe in this life (some are born blind, others born perfect, etc.). However, I was quite skeptical of any explanations other than mere biological existence and random chance. The level of detail presented in the cases discussed in this book made me believe that there is something going on that we don't understand. For anyone who wishes to examine the scientific study of this phenomenon, this is perhaps the best place to begin. Given the level of detail, it is highly unlikely that the cases are hoaxes (plus neither party gains anything from these cases).

I have got what I want

The author is sincere and knowledged to report the detail of the case studies. Although it's too detailed and a little boring to me, I found it informative. I have learned something from it.

the book for the skeptic

Well,well, well...no stars are enough for this book. It seems the word belief does not exist in Dr Stevenson's dictionary , and with clinical detachment, he has investigated each and every of the 20 cases. He has avoided philosophy and religion talk etc and does not have his own agenda which he his trying to promote. There are many books on reincarnation written by those who want to make a quick buck, or those promoting a particular religious thought or simply to become popular and appear on talk shows and then charge people (gullible) on an hourly basis. Dr Stevenson is not driven by any such factor. Reading his methodolgy, he has actually gone about the research as any skeptic would. He has not believed the case story and then looked for evidence that would support such a case story, he has looked for the evidence any skeptic would. The presentation of evidence gathered is fantastic showing the corroboration of each evidence. The best thing I liked about his research was that he actually attempts to rule out any fraud in each case story. Unbiased and honest. The use of the word "suggestive" speaks for his style used in the book throughout. He does not attempt to force any philosophical, religious thought down the reader's throat. You are free to make your own conclusions....and yes, it is DARN RIGHT CONVINCING !

The classic work on reincarnation

"Suggestive" is putting it mildly (but is typical of Dr. Stevenson's cautious approach). "Pretty darn convincing" is more like it. This is one of Stevenson's original works from many years ago (the 1960s), but it has stood the test of time. If you read it and his more recent "Where Reincarnation and Biology Intersect," you'll have a fairly good idea of how convincing the evidence for reincarnation can be. Stevenson's research is very thorough, and this is a dense volume that can be a little dry to read. Each of the 20 cases is presented in sufficient detail to be compelling. It's not something you'll polish off in a couple of evenings, but you'll know you're in the presence of an honest-to-god researcher. Stevenson, who has been affiliated with the University of Virginia for decades, is almost single-handedly responsible for reincarnation being taken seriously in this country, and this book is a classic that should be one of the very first you buy on this topic. You'll be handing it out to skeptical friends and saying "Oh, yeah? Read THIS."