MANKIND'S CLIFF OF EXTINCTION

An ambitious book seeks to explore—and provide a language for—difficult questions facing humanity.

Brinkley (The Apocalypse Happened to Me, 2012, etc.) is a former Navy enlistee who left an accomplished corporate career to pursue writing. This work starts with an account of her massive stroke—an event marked by “formless forms” in her mind, which seemed locked away from human contact. This jarring experience led to visions of this book, with the intent to “provide a language in order for mankind to open a world-wide dialogue to answer the harder questions.” The narrative often cites philosophies and ancient texts—The Six Enneads by Plotinus, the Nag Hammadi library, and the Book of Revelation, among many others—and scientific material (for example, quantum physics and electromagnetic radiation) in its attempt to provide this language, examining such questions as the origins of life, the mind/soul-body connection, and the future of humanity. At one point, the author asserts: “Completing Nature’s work requires a cohesive merger of the Sciences with the mystical and religions. Merging science, quantum physics, biology and religion may cause discomfort and conflicts by exposing fallacies in structured belief systems wired into humankind’s brain.” The book’s voluminous content includes a 12-page table of contents delineating 210 chapters. The diverse sections deliver intricate concepts that demand a solid context, but the book’s lack of continuity and clarity often leads to confusion. For example, at one point the reader is told that “the atom’s indigo-frequency range manifesting itself as our Ego creates illusions of the devil.” But this is the first mention of the indigo-frequency range, which is not explained. References to “the Lord,” Krishna, or Christ being linked to adenosine and ATP (messengers in the brain) are not accompanied by a clear or convincing rationale. The author is quite well-read, but while the copious, often lengthy quotations in the text offer some intriguing ideas, she fails to use them to illuminate her message in a consistent way. Early in the book, she notes, “I am NOT going to paint Nature’s individualistic BIGGER PICTURE for you. That is an impossible task,” and perhaps she is right. But to grasp the complex concepts discussed, the reader needs more guidance.

An earnest but unclear and overwhelming attempt to clarify universal truths that affect humanity and its future.