Phenomena: The Secret History of the U.S. Government’s Investigations into Extrasensory Perception and Psychokinesis

Journalist Jacobsen (The Pentagon’s Brain) continues her disturbing excavations of the inner workings of the American defense and intelligence establishment in this fascinating exposé of governmental research into “anomalous mental phenomena.” The U.S. government sought to surveil its enemies and gain the upper hand in what was perceived to be a very real threat on Earth as well as in space. This was not merely a war of perception: the U.S.S.R. had embarked on ESP-based efforts of its own, including the bombardment of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow with focused microwaved beams. The result was an unprecedented arms race of the psychic kind. Readers may be familiar with MKUltra, the CIA’s program to develop mind-control techniques, but they’ll be surprised by the breadth and dedication of the government’s efforts to study paranormal activity, which included drafting the likes of science fiction author Aldous Huxley and self-proclaimed psychic Uri Geller. Attempting to stay a step ahead of their foreign (and potential otherworldly) enemies, they investigated related phenomena, most notably remote viewing, which resulted in the creation of a dedicated remote viewing program in the U.S. Army. Jacobsen artfully deals card after dutifully researched card in her enthralling reportage on one of America’s most curious defense endeavors. Agent: James Hornfischer, Hornfischer Literary. (Apr.)