In the introductory chapter of this book Sheldrake laments the growth of Big Science, which has all but extinguished the solitary and amateur scientist working by himself or herself, as Charles Darwin and some others did in the 19th century. It need not be so, he says. Individual scientists -- even laypersons -- can still accomplish much by themselves and without substantial funding or equipment. In the remainder of the book Sheldrake describes seven experiments that he thinks fulfill these requirements and that, moreover, have the potential of changing the world.

The seven experiments are about 1) domestic animals, such as dogs, who find their owners when they have been left behind as a family moves or who know paranormally when the animal's owner is coming home; 2) the homing of pigeons; 3) the organization of social insects, such as termites; 4) the sense of being stared at; 5) the reality of phantom limbs; 6) the variability of the "fundamental constants;" and 7) the effects of experimenters' expectations. For each of these topics Sheldrake provides a review of previous research on the subject that a general reader without specialized knowledge can easily understand. Sheldrake also offers guidance about how the reader might conduct further experiments. (He cautions readers against undertaking a study of the "fundamental constants" without adequate statistical training or consultation.)

Leaving aside, as Sheldrake himself does, the question of the variability of the "fundamental constants," some of the other proposed experiments seem to me much more difficult to conduct than Sheldrake implies. For example, a study of the reality of phantom limbs would entail access to amputees, which can only be had in hospitals and clinics. No layperson can summon a medical facility to make its amputees available for a research project conducted by someone having no connection with the medical institution. Amateur scientists could certainly conduct experiments on animal homing and animals' awareness of their owners' intentions (for example, to leave the office and come home). One or two experiments of this type, however, would be stigmatized as anecdotal. A journal editor would require ten or perhaps twenty experiments before accepting a paper on the subject. No owner of a single participating animal could coordinate the experiments of ten or twenty other owners. Instead, an experienced scientist would need to scrutinize the conditions of each experiment to exclude flaws in the controls; and it would need a scientist to write up a credible report for a journal. Almost inevitably, the scientist would be a professional and need a salary.

The first two experiments, the fourth, and the seventh have long been familiar to investigators of paranormal phenomena, as Sheldrake well knows and shows by his references. Most investigators of such phenomena would agree with Sheldrake that an acceptance of the reality of paranormal phenomena by the majority of scientists would make an important difference. It would change the priorities and the funding among scientists, but perhaps not much else. After all, surveys show that the majority of persons, even among Western peoples, already believe in the reality of paranormal phenomena, although only about one quarter of scientists do. Further evidence is unlikely to make much difference to the person in the street. The problem for scientists working in this area is that of obtaining evidence that will be persuasive to other scientists. Some would say the problem is that of persuading other scientists to examine without prejudice the existing evidence. Thus the claim that these experiments "could change the world" seems somewhat grand, even grandiose.

Despite my reservations about the practicality of Sheldrake's proposals and his claim for their significance, I commend this book for its clear exposition of the fundamental principles of experimental science. Even if it does not enlist many amateurs to work in science themselves, it will surely increase respect for science among all laypersons who read it. That in itself will be a notable accomplishment.

The book has some interesting illustrations, for example of pigeons and pigeon lofts. It contains extensive references and has a fully adequate index.

Ian Stevenson

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA 22908

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