Recommendations for a general introduction to parapsychology

On another thread, I suggested Raf999 should do more reading on parapsychology, and he asked what he should read.

Oleo suggested the Psi Encyclopedia, which I agree is a useful source of information, though the sheer number of articles available there now could be a bit overpowering. However, there is a general overview of experimental parapsychology by Richard Broughton which would be a good starting point:
https://psi-encyclopedia.spr.ac.uk/artic...psychology

Actually I found it quite difficult to think of a suitable book. There is Caroline Watt's "Parapsychology" (2016), which is meant to be a beginner's guide and is available on Kindle for £4. It is mildly sceptical in tone, but that may be helpful for someone coming from a sceptical position:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Parapsychology-...inw_strp_1

Otherwise the 27-page introduction of Broderick's and Goertzel's "Evidence for Psi" (2015) is available in a Google Books preview and provides an overview from a more psi-friendly but still balanced point of view:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5i7jBQAAQBAJ

Does anyone have any other recommendations?

I've read the psi encyclopedia article, it was rather good. I'm expecting it to be a bit biased, but I'll have to look into star gate project (as it seems it gave out some results, just not enough for the CIA), and ganzfeld experiments.

[Ninshub]

I read Harvey Irwin's An Introduction to Parapsychology. The last edition had Caroline Watt as a co-author. I remember the NDE chapter wasn't great but in general it was fairly neutral and a good summary of the research in each area and conclusions to be had if any.

This is a thoroughly updated and revised edition of our highly acclaimed university textbook on the science of parapsychology. The objective of this book is to provide an introductory survey of parapsychologists' efforts to explore the authenticity and bases of anomalous, apparently paranormal phenomena. It outlines the origins of parapsychological research and critically reviews investigations of extrasensory perception, psychokinesis, poltergeist phenomena, near-death and out-of-body experiences, and the evaluation of parapsychology as a scientific enterprise.

I read Harvey Irwin's An Introduction to Parapsychology. The last edition had Caroline Watt as a co-author. I remember the NDE chapter wasn't great but in general it was fairly neutral and a good summary of the research in each area and conclusions to be had if any.

Thanks. I should probably add that to my list of books to be read.

In a similar but slightly higher price bracket there's "Parapsychology: A Handbook for the 21st Century," (2015) edited by Cardeña, Palmer and Marcusson-Clavertz, though that is probably beyond the introductory category:
https://www.amazon.com/Parapsychology-Ha...0786479167

Incidentally, I wonder whether anyone here has read May's and Marwaha's "Extrasensory Perception: Support, Skepticism, and Science" (also 2015). At £97 for the Kindle edition, it's obviously not for the casual reader:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Extrasensory-Pe...B00ZAT3QP2

On another thread, I suggested Raf999 should do more reading on parapsychology, and he asked what he should read.

Oleo suggested the Psi Encyclopedia, which I agree is a useful source of information, though the sheer number of articles available there now could be a bit overpowering. However, there is a general overview of experimental parapsychology by Richard Broughton which would be a good starting point:
https://psi-encyclopedia.spr.ac.uk/artic...psychology

Actually I found it quite difficult to think of a suitable book. There is Caroline Watt's "Parapsychology" (2016), which is meant to be a beginner's guide and is available on Kindle for £4. It is mildly sceptical in tone, but that may be helpful for someone coming from a sceptical position:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Parapsychology-...inw_strp_1

Otherwise the 27-page introduction of Broderick's and Goertzel's "Evidence for Psi" (2015) is available in a Google Books preview and provides an overview from a more psi-friendly but still balanced point of view:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5i7jBQAAQBAJ

Does anyone have any other recommendations?

Debating Psychic Experience: Human Potential or Human Illusion? 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/031339...l_vppi_i14

I remember enjoying this read when I was first starting to wrap my skeptical head around the possibility that psi might be more than just "woo". I thought the proponents were persuasive in this volume and it helped to point out the strengths and weaknesses of the skeptical arguments against psi.

I'm not sure if these would qualify as introductions to parapsychology but they do discuss various anomalies from a serious, if journalistic, viewpoint.

Randi's Prize by Robert McLuhan

Best Evidence by Michael Schmicker

[Laird]

Chris, I don't want to get you offside by seeming too directive, but: I wonder whether you think that this would make a good page on our wiki?

Randi's Prize by Robert McLuhan

This is the only one on the list that I've read, and I found it compelling.

Does anyone have any other recommendations?

I would recommend the paper shared both by you and by Ian, "The Experimental Evidence for Parapsychological Phenomena: A Review" by Etzel Cardeña, although it does cost USD 11.95.

And how about Dean Radin's books? I have read a couple of them (I would have to look up the titles) but they cover the evidence quite well, I think.

[Ninshub]

Yeah the first one, The Conscious Universe, does cover the history of the research of psi as such pretty well (though some may argue it's too proponent-biased), although not the whole breadth of what parapsychology investigates (apparitions, NDEs, etc. etc.).

[Laird]

Yep, that's the main one I was thinking of, and I agree with your comments. Perhaps, if we put up a wiki page with our suggestions, and we include that book, we could (should) make a note of those things alongside it on the page.

Chris, I don't want to get you offside by seeming too directive, but: I wonder whether you think that this would make a good page on our wiki?

Yes, it would be easy enough to collect the recommendations together, with comments where appropriate, and put them on a wiki page.