Stacie P. (froot) -
Helpful Score: 2
I have had to really think about how I felt about this. I have watched the first two seasons of the show Paranormal State merely out of intrigue and curiosity. Like most, paranormal shows I try to dismiss the crap. I was reluctant to read this when it fell on my desk, but after reading the personal testimony of Ryan Buell he appears to be a well thought out individual with a natural ability to motivate people in a positive way.
This being said, this book really is a journey of his growth through the experiences he has had on the cases of his first season of the show. The book offers a another look at the cases with add scrutiny that the television show omits. It makes a lot of what you see and hear a little more believable or debunked. Ryan's own personal philosophy is so well written that it's hard not to put even the slightest bit of faith in the kid. The most important point in this book is that he believes and hopes he really is helping people, whether it is supernatural or just stress and a series of coincidences. Helping people recognize what is really going on in their lives and helping them to move forward and take back control of their lives appears to be his mission. There is no greater teacher than personal experience. Ryan Buell demonstrates this in this book on more than one level which makes this personal story great. We see a young man driven by faith transform into a man willing to accept all possible accounts and drawing rational conclusions rather that jumping to them.
The layout of the book made for a quick read, and not once was I bored to put it down and walk away as if I cared less. There is a growing philosophy that I will actually walk away with after reading this. And I will definitely give some benefit of the doubt to some personal testimony of the paranormal.
This being said, this book really is a journey of his growth through the experiences he has had on the cases of his first season of the show. The book offers a another look at the cases with add scrutiny that the television show omits. It makes a lot of what you see and hear a little more believable or debunked. Ryan's own personal philosophy is so well written that it's hard not to put even the slightest bit of faith in the kid. The most important point in this book is that he believes and hopes he really is helping people, whether it is supernatural or just stress and a series of coincidences. Helping people recognize what is really going on in their lives and helping them to move forward and take back control of their lives appears to be his mission. There is no greater teacher than personal experience. Ryan Buell demonstrates this in this book on more than one level which makes this personal story great. We see a young man driven by faith transform into a man willing to accept all possible accounts and drawing rational conclusions rather that jumping to them.
The layout of the book made for a quick read, and not once was I bored to put it down and walk away as if I cared less. There is a growing philosophy that I will actually walk away with after reading this. And I will definitely give some benefit of the doubt to some personal testimony of the paranormal.
Cynthia V. (roswell-iceprincess) -
Helpful Score: 1
I am a huge fan of the tv show Paranormal State so this was a must read for me. I read the book in 2 days only because I didn't have enough time to finish it in one. It was very interesting and hard to put down. I found Ryan to be a genuine and down to earth person wanting to help other people. The only reason I rated it a 4 was because most of the book was about the first season cases and having seen it on tv, there was not a lot of new information. There were some new views on the causes of paranormal activity that I had never thought of before. I would have liked more behind the scenes stories and more info about Ryan but I think the book was focused on his investigative work which still made for a good read. The book did include their journey from paranormal club to hit tv show. I look forward to a book two.
Ashley B. (daredevilgirl013) reviewed Paranormal State: My Journey into the Unknown on + 746 more book reviews
A rather interesting view into the paranormal. Nothing overly scary and nothing that was boring. It had just the right dash to keep you wanting to read more and more when it came to this book. Though I still think some of the show is not as it seems aka rigged or hoaxed, (and this book makes you wonder during some points when it says this REALLY exciting thing happened, but it never made it to the show..etc), I still think this guy wants to be a genuine person who helps people with paranormal problems, but I think the show rigs up a few things for the ratings. Still a good read.
