David V. Barrett
Encyclopedia
David V. Barrett is a British author
who has written on religious
and esoteric topics. He is also a regular contributor to The Independent
, Fortean Times
, and the Catholic Herald.
The backflap of one his books states that he was an intelligence analyst for the UK Government Communications Headquarters
and the US National Security Agency
prior to his career as a writer.
Barrett is a regular book critic and his critiques have appeared in Literary Review
, New Scientist
, and others.
He has also been involved in science fiction
critique. Barrett edited Vector
, the critical journal of the British Science Fiction Association
in the late 1980s, and organized and chaired the Arthur C. Clarke Award
for three years.
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
who has written on religious
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
and esoteric topics. He is also a regular contributor to The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
, Fortean Times
Fortean Times
Fortean Times is a British monthly magazine devoted to the anomalous phenomena popularised by Charles Fort. Previously published by John Brown Publishing and then I Feel Good Publishing , it is now published by Dennis Publishing Ltd. As of December 2010, its circulation was approximately 18,000...
, and the Catholic Herald.
The backflap of one his books states that he was an intelligence analyst for the UK Government Communications Headquarters
Government Communications Headquarters
The Government Communications Headquarters is a British intelligence agency responsible for providing signals intelligence and information assurance to the UK government and armed forces...
and the US National Security Agency
National Security Agency
The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S...
prior to his career as a writer.
Barrett is a regular book critic and his critiques have appeared in Literary Review
Literary Review
Literary Review is a British literary magazine founded in 1979 by Anne Smith, then head of the Department of English at Edinburgh University. Its offices are currently on Lexington Street in Soho, London, and it has a circulation of 44,750. Britain's principal literary monthly, the magazine was...
, New Scientist
New Scientist
New Scientist is a weekly non-peer-reviewed English-language international science magazine, which since 1996 has also run a website, covering recent developments in science and technology for a general audience. Founded in 1956, it is published by Reed Business Information Ltd, a subsidiary of...
, and others.
He has also been involved in science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
critique. Barrett edited Vector
Vector (journal)
Vector is the critical magazine of the British Science Fiction Association . It is free to members of the BSFA and can be purchased at genre conventions and BSFA events. The first issue was published in 1958 under the founding editorship of E. C...
, the critical journal of the British Science Fiction Association
British Science Fiction Association
The British Science Fiction Association was founded in 1958 by a group of British science fiction fans, authors, publishers and booksellers, in order to encourage science fiction in every form. It is an open membership organisation costing £26 per year for UK residents and £18 for the unwaged. The...
in the late 1980s, and organized and chaired the Arthur C. Clarke Award
Arthur C. Clarke Award
The Arthur C. Clarke Award is a British award given for the best science fiction novel first published in the United Kingdom during the previous year. The award was established with a grant from Arthur C. Clarke and the first prize was awarded in 1987...
for three years.
Books
- The New BelieversThe New BelieversThe New Believers: A Survey of Sects, 'Cults', and Alternative Religions, is a book by David V. Barrett covering the origin, history, beliefs, practices and controversies of more than sixty new religious movements, including The Family International , International Church of Christ, Osho ,...
: Sects, Cults and Alternative Religions', ISBN 1-84403-040-7 - A Brief History of Secret Societies: The Hidden Powers of Clandestine Organizations and Elites from the Ancient World to the Present Day (2007), ISBN 0-78671-983-4
- Encyclopedia of Prediction: Fate, Fortune & Foretelling the Future, (1992), ISBN 0-83178-195-5
- Predictions Library - Dreams, (1995), ISBN 0-13230-947-5
- Predictions Library - Palmistry (1995)
- Predictions Library - Graphology (1995)
- Predictions Library - Numerology (1995)
External links
- The New Believers book website