Summary
This is the story of the advent of electronic voice phenomena, a method of communication between the “dead” and the living using electronic devices, pioneered in Europe by Friedrich Jürgenson in the 1960s, and later by Konstantin Raudive.
Peter Bander, a psychologist who had lectured on religious education and ethics, had joined British publisher Colin Smythe Ltd in 1966, and in 1969 was asked by Smythe to evaluate Dr. Konstantin Raudive’s research with a view to publishing the work in the English language. Raudive’s book had been published in Germany in 1968 under the title: Unhörbares wird hörbar (The Inaudible Becomes Audible).
Bander was understandably sceptical when first confronted with the phenomena. He stated: ‘My first reaction to the book was negative because the claims made by the author appeared to me not only far-fetched but outrageous … The thought of dead people communicating through a tape recorder seemed ludicrous and too silly to be taken seriously’.
Unbeknown to Bander, Smythe had conducted his own experiments which proved to be conclusive. This led to Raudive’s book being published in the English language under the title, Breakthrough: An Amazing Experiment in Electronic Communication with the Dead (1971) – now considered by many to be a classic in the genre – and put Bander at the centre of the controversial yet fascinating subject of life after death.
Carry on Talking was originally published in the US as Voices from the Tapes.
CONTENTS
Introduction
A Question of Belief
Full of Surprises
Pride and Prejudice
Trial and Error
Publish and be Damned
The First Confrontation
The Spiritualists and the Voices
The Church and the Voices
Late Late Breakthrough
A Voice in the Wilderness
The Scientists and the Voices
The Enthusiastic Amateurs
Carry on Talking
Index
Praise for Carry on Talking
The Church and the Voices
“It is all very mysterious, but we know that the voices are there for everyone to hear.”
~ His Excellency Archbishop Cardinale, Apostolic Nuncio
“I’m definitely impressed, and willing to be impressed by this phenomenon.”
~ The Rt. Rev. Dr. Butler, Anglican Bishop of Connor
“The message these voices hold for me is confirmation that there is life after death.”
~ The Very Rev. Fr. Pistone, S.S.P.
“It is a reality backed by experience and established by evidence open to all, that the dead live and can communicate with us.”
~ The Rt. Rev. Mgr. Prof. C. Pfleger
The Scientists and the Voices
“I can no longer explain the voice phenomena in normal physical terms.
~ Peter A. Hale, physicist
“Extensive experiments have shown that the paranormal origin of the voices is highly probable.”
~ Prof. Hans. Bender, Director, University Institute of Psychology, Freiburg
“I’m convinced that these are the voices of the dead.”
~ Robert Crookall, B. Sc (psychology), Ph.D., D.Sc
“I have succeeded in reproducing the phenomenon. Voices which did not come from any known source have appeared on a tape.”
~ Dr. Brendan McGann, Director Institute of Psychology, Dublin