The Truth About Psychics: What's Real, What's Not, and How to Tell the Difference

How do psychic abilities work...and how can you tell if they're real?

In this fascinating look into the history of spiritualism, celebrity psychic Sylvia Browne tells all: what's real, what's not, and how to tell the difference! Starting with her own personal odyssey, Sylvia covers the history of psychics dating from biblical times and reveals the truth about everything from witches and talking boards to angels and astral projection. Did you know...

? If someone tells you that an object is "haunted"...they are probably fooling you. Objects can retain impressions of prior owners, like a photograph, but they don't contain the spirits of those on the Other Side.

? If you get rid of one item in your house...it should be the talking board. Using one is like leaving your front door unlocked, inviting anyone (good or evil) to waltz right in.

? Why Sylvia didn't believe in "living ghosts"...until she had a terrifying experience that changed her mind. The phenomenon called a doppelgänger happened to her more than forty years ago.

? How to tell if a psychic is giving you a good reading...or just followiwing a script. There are a few key phrases that can give away a fake.

Through a wealth of personal stories and research into the lives of great psychics, Sylvia offers solid advice on how to put valid procedures to use and ignore the rest. The Truth About Psychics explains how you can spot a fraud and shows you how to tap into your own spiritualism and develop legitimate psychic skills!

Sylvia Browne grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and revealed her psychic gift at the age of three, announcing that her grandfather was dead (he was) and predicting she would have a baby sister in three years (she did). Browne began her professional career in 1973 with a small meeting in her home. Within a year Browne’s practice had grown so much that she incorporated the business as the Nirvana Foundation for Psychic Research.

Browne is a true professional: she maintains required business licenses, is a member of a national consumer protection agency, and donates a large portion of her time to charitable organizations and also works with police to investigate missing persons and other criminal cases. She has consulted with police and FBI on several high-profile cases, including the disappearance of Chandra Levy and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Currently the president of her business, now known as the Sylvia Browne Corporation, Browne also founded her own church, the Society of Novus Spirit. Her most recent business venture is The Sylvia Browne Hypnosis Training Center, where her unique, proven hypnosis methods for personal and professional use are taught.

With twenty-two New York Times bestsellers, Browne is an accomplished author of more than 46 books. She appeared regularly on the Montel Williams Show for seventeen years, and has been a frequent guest on Larry King Live, travels the country at sold-out lectures, and regularly appears in the print media. Browne continues to do readings, and her son, Chris DuFresne, is also a psychic. She lives and practices in California.

Lindsay Harrison grew up in Massachusetts, and attended Brown University and Columbia School of the Arts. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.  This is her first book.