The Angel Effect: The Powerful Force That Ensures We Are Never Alone

by John Geiger

Overview

The author of the bestselling The Third Man Factor examines the shockingly common phenomenon of the "Angel Effect": when people feel visited by an otherworldly presence in times of great danger or desperation.

Do "angels" exist?I If so, are they heaven-sent or products of the human brain? After the publication of the bestseller The ThirdMan Factor, which examined the phenomenon of explorers who found themselves at the edge of death and experienced a benevolent presence that led them out of the impossible, John Geiger was inundated with firsthand accounts from people who had the same experience -- a vivid presence that aided them as they faced crises ranging from physical and sexual assaults to automobile accidents, airplane crashes, serious illness, childbirth, and depression. The Angel Effect examines this phenomenon, and Geiger argues that it has the potential to aid us, even to save us, and asks whether it is a trainable skill. He investigates the numerous experiences along with historical accounts and scientific research as he reveals compelling discoveries about the human brain and our innate capacity to hope.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781602861916
Publisher:	Hachette Books
Publication date:	11/12/2013
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	462 KB

About the Author

John Geiger is the author of five books, including the bestsellers The Third Man Factor: Surviving the Impossible and Frozen in Time: The Fate of the Franklin Expedition. A member of the editorialboard of the Toronto Globe and Mail, he is also a fellow of the Explorers Club, governor of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and chair ofthe Society's Expeditions Committee. His work has been translated into nine languages. Born in Ithaca, New York, he lives in Toronto.

Table of Contents

Introduction: James ix

1 The Tucson Nun: The Sensed-Presence Phenomenon 1

2 The Rwandan Bishop and the Brooklyn Rabbi: Messianic Ecology 25

3 The Mexican Cleaning Lady: Presence Brought On by Absence 57

4 The Taplow Peasant: Hypersensitive Agent Detection Device 81

5 The Interpreter: Right-Hemispheric Intrusions 95

6 Toby the Swimmer: Executive Function Versus Low-Road Emotion 109

7 The Bald Welder: Externalized Second Self 127

8 Rosa Parks's Twin: Guardian Angel 155

9 Evagrius the Solitary: Prayer and Mortification of the Flesh 181

10 RJ and the Lawnmower Angel: Conclusion 199

Notes 215

Index 227

Acknowledgments 233

Editorial Reviews

Praise for The Third Man Factor:

"Highly readable, often gripping." -The Wall Street Journal

"Engrossing...and formidable." -The Los Angeles Times, "Favorite Books of 2009"

"The book offers a fascinating look at the phenomena through the eyes of those who have experienced it and invites speculation about our beliefs." -Associated Press

"An intelligent rendering of a chilling phenomenon" -Kirkus Reviews

"John Geiger expertly blends harrowing accounts with scientific inquiry...a thorough, insightful examination." -Climbing

From the Publisher