THE MYSTERIES OF REINCARNATION

The reincarnations of Helene Smith (who once thrived on Mars), Madame Blavatsky, Bridey Murphy, Joan Grant (whose Many Lifetimes went back to First Dynasty Egypt) and of course Cayce's numberless ""life readings"" are presented enthusiastically here as ""anecdotal evidence."" Cohen throws a few bones to nonbelievers (certain popular eras, such as ancient Egypt and the Sun King's reign seem oversubscribed). But his survey of the concept's appearance in Western thought strains to find proof where it simply doesn't exist. And while the prevailing tone of wishful cynicism (""almost saying that if reincarnation isn't true it should be"") is preferable to outright credulity, this can only be recommended to those who want to get the whole subject out of their systems in one sitting.