Monday, August 19, 2013

The Men Who Stare at Goats

Written by: Jon Ronson

First line: This is a true story.

Why you should read this book: After an interview in which the normally garrulous Uri Geller reluctantly discusses his recruitment to the US government's psychic spy program, the author sets out to track down the identity of a mysterious figure known only as "Ron" in an engaging story that often strains credulity but never forgets to cite its sources. The author's investigation takes him down the rabbit hole and into the labyrinthine catacombs of top secret military programs from the First Earth Battalion to MK-Ultra Mind Control, with fact, stories, and demonstrations from the those who participated in these endeavors. This well-written book also connects the faith placed in some of these programs, and their mismanagement by those who lacked the best intentions, to the Heaven's Gate mass suicide and some of the most egregious abuses of the US government in Iraq and elsewhere.

Why you shouldn't read this book: You're already wearing a tin foil hat.

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