Ben Alderson-Day

Presence: The Strange Science and True Stories of the Unseen Other, written by Ben Alderson-Day with audiobook narration by Jacob Foan, is an engaging and accessible look at the phenomenon of a presence that many people have experienced when they "know" that there isn't anyone there.

What makes this book appealing for both those who might be in one of the fields concerned and a layperson is the interspersing of stories and theory. Whether science or philosophy, Alderson-Day offers clear explanations of the terms he is using and how he is using them. Coupled with the stories, some historic and some from research interviews, as examples the concepts become, at least on a basic level, accessible to any reader with an interest. Whether things we might be familiar with, such as sleep paralysis or grief-driven presences, or ones that may be new to us, such as tulpamancy in my case, we are given the theory in understandable terms.

The audiobook narration was wonderful, Foan's voice was clear and had enough inflection to make the work that much more engaging. I had both an audiobook and an eARC, so while I listened to all of the book I used the ebook to get sources and references for the areas I wanted to read more about. My experience with audiobooks on many nonfiction topics is that they are great for lay readers such as myself who primarily want to get a big picture understanding but don't need the notes or bibliography. If this was in a field I was actively engaged in, I would probably prefer the print version, but for most casual readers the audiobook will serve them well.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (més)

I found this book well researched and somewhat interesting with many true accounts of people feeling the presence of or seeing something that is only visible to them.
The thing is, the book is not what I had anticipated. To box those who have experienced such phenomena into mental illness, disease and extreme conditions doesn’t do them justice. It is not until Section 9 when the author touches app on Spiritualism. A thought provoking book which makes one alert to the many ways and reasons presences reveal themselves.
I listened to the audio version from NetGalley and found it well done.
Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to read and review the advanced copy.… (més)