Spirit Voices: The First Live Conversation Between Worlds [Paperback]

This book is about one man's journey into evp's, paranormal investigation, and learning to record both a medium's and spirit's communication together in one recording. It is an easy read, on the short side and can easily be finished in two nights bed reading, entertaining, perhaps even helpful if you are new to ghost hunting or paranormal investigation. I found it interesting to read one person's experiences (especially the spooky ones) into this field, especially when that was not his primary objective or interest to begin with.

This is not a how-to book. He does not share his knowledge on what he used or what you need to have in order to be able to record evp's like he has. I found that rather disappointing.

He claims that his journey and work is for the "greater good of mankind", repeatedly throughout the book to the point of almost being annoying, but then doesn't share everything he has learned along the way of paranormal investigation and the other side of life. Or explain what makes his work in this field, for mankind while someone else's work is for the interest and spookiness of the subject matter, for example.

You will also notice that he repeatedly says that if you aren't into paranormal investigation with a spiritual reason behind it, getting evp's and other evidence won't work or will not come your way or at least not as easy or as easily as they did for him.

It was always him in every group he investigated with who was the spiritual one, in his opinion only, and it appeared to me that he looked down on all the others who participated (except one man and one woman psychic) because their quest was not for spiritual reasons nor for helping the greater good of mankind. I found that very off-putting and equivalent to him saying his reasons for doing this is better than anyone elses and that he was better than those of us who do it just because we like it and find it fascinating.

The pioneers of EVP research include Jurgenson, Raudive, Macy and Estep, among others. To this list we may now add Mark L. Cowden, former Oklahoman now resident of Northern Ireland. His 'Spirit Voices' is perhaps the most exciting book on psychical research and EVP I have read in some time, culminating in what may be the most groundbreaking event in EVP research. The actual real time capture of a conversational exchange caught on video as well as audio tape of questions and answers between investigators and disembodied entities in an alleged haunted hotel in Northern Ireland.

This conversation is the denouement of the book, but prior to that Cowden shares with us in a warm, engaging and open style his journey from electronic specialist to paranormal investigator. Along the way he shares his inner development in embracing this quest for evidence of after death survival, providing a chapter 'A Moral Dilemma' in which he provides sound arguments for those seeking to reconcile a Judeo-Christian belief system to the implications of parapsychological study. For those readers like myself who have no such qualms, you may skip over this chapter with no loss of continuity, this is even suggested by the author himself. Along the way Cowden shares his adoption of the dowsing pendulum as one of his investigation tools (shades of T.C. Lethbridge).

He provides simple and concise suggestions to readers on how they might also adopt the pendulum if they wish to pursue similar investgations. This accompanied by the practice of meditation and protection before engaging in such pursuits is sound advice for all new to this field. Under the mentoring of the engaging calirvoyants, 'Christine' and the delightful Marion Goodfellow, Cowden becomes adept at spirit rescue- releasing 'trapped' souls from physical location entanglement and allowing them to move toward the light and freedom. My hope is twofold- that this book will become well known, read and discussed and that this is the first of many books from Mr. Cowden.

I must also offer kudos to Anomalist Books, they remain the cutting edge publisher of works on the paranormal and Fortean phenomena today as exemplified for publishing this and other fascinating titles. Long may they thrive!

Cowden's book is something that isn't seen very often in these circles--a well-written, un-sensationalistic tome about his own experiences with the 'Other Side' and how he managed to not only accept what was happening, but to try and advance the parapsychological field.

To wit--as an AV engineer and expert, he was hired to a Northern Ireland firm that just happened to have its offices in a haunted mill. His experiences there led him into paranormal investigation. Of particular note are his code of ethics (no house calls, historical sites only) and his determination to balance the purely spiritual side of paranormal investigation with the technological side...even though his working background lies much more in technology.

For all that, it's an astonishingly personal tome--one man's experiences and how he feels they can relate to the field as a whole. This is no overview of EVP work, or of a particular group's investigations--this is Mark Cowden's journey through the supernatural, and the results he found (with the help of others).

There are several amusing bits (Cowden dissecting the "Ghost Hunting" craze that has grown due to popular TV shows), and just as many affecting moments, from the spooky (his early encounters) to the sublime (the 'conversation' alluded to in the title).

While I couldn't agree with every one of his points, Cowden does present a compelling case not only for the evidence of the supernatural, but also for effective methods of contacting it, complete with the potential dangers of being careless.

It's an engaging, personal memoir that just happens to make some strong points, and is a gripping, fast read that will stick with the reader long after he or she closes the book. Recommended.