Guy Lyon Playfair
Encyclopedia
Guy Lyon Playfair is a freelance writer and translator best known for his books about parapsychology
.
Additionally, he's worked for several U.S., British
and Brazilian magazine, newspapers and publishing houses. From 1967 to 1971 he worked in the press section of the U.S. Agency for International Development in Rio de Janeiro
. Widely travelled, he has lived in Brazil
for several years. His books have been translated into about 15 languages. He has also written numerous articles for magazines in several countries, and has worked as researcher and consultant on numerous radio and television programmes.
For two years, Guy Playfair worked with IBPP, Brazil's first and only serious psychical research organization. He has been a member of the British Society for Psychical Research
since 1973 and was elected to its Council in 2004. He has contributed several articles and book reviews to its journal and newsletter.
In his first book, The Unknown Power (first published as The Flying Cow by Souvenir Press Ltd., U.K. 1975) he brings a wide reading in the literature of psychical research to bear on Brazilian paranormal phenomena, including those events connected with Francisco Candido 'Chico' Xavier
, Zé Arigó and others. In The Indefinite Boundary (first published by Souvenir Press Ltd., U.K. 1976), Guy Playfair reviews evidence for the existence of psychic phenomena.
He wrote a study of time cycles in connection with paranormal phenomena in The Cycles of Heaven (1978). With Maurice Grosse
he investigated the Enfield Poltergeist
over one year, as recorded in This House is Haunted (1980). If This Be Magic, an inquiry into hypnotism (both 1985). He then collaborated with Uri Geller
on The Geller Effect (1986).
Parapsychology
The term parapsychology was coined in or around 1889 by philosopher Max Dessoir, and originates from para meaning "alongside", and psychology. The term was adopted by J.B. Rhine in the 1930s as a replacement for the term psychical research...
.
Additionally, he's worked for several U.S., British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Brazilian magazine, newspapers and publishing houses. From 1967 to 1971 he worked in the press section of the U.S. Agency for International Development in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
. Widely travelled, he has lived in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
for several years. His books have been translated into about 15 languages. He has also written numerous articles for magazines in several countries, and has worked as researcher and consultant on numerous radio and television programmes.
For two years, Guy Playfair worked with IBPP, Brazil's first and only serious psychical research organization. He has been a member of the British Society for Psychical Research
Society for Psychical Research
The Society for Psychical Research is a non-profit organisation in the United Kingdom. Its stated purpose is to understand "events and abilities commonly described as psychic or paranormal by promoting and supporting important research in this area" and to "examine allegedly paranormal phenomena...
since 1973 and was elected to its Council in 2004. He has contributed several articles and book reviews to its journal and newsletter.
In his first book, The Unknown Power (first published as The Flying Cow by Souvenir Press Ltd., U.K. 1975) he brings a wide reading in the literature of psychical research to bear on Brazilian paranormal phenomena, including those events connected with Francisco Candido 'Chico' Xavier
Chico Xavier
Chico Xavier, born Francisco de Paula Cândido was a popular medium in Brazil's spiritism movement who wrote 413 books, ostensibly using a process known as "psychography"....
, Zé Arigó and others. In The Indefinite Boundary (first published by Souvenir Press Ltd., U.K. 1976), Guy Playfair reviews evidence for the existence of psychic phenomena.
He wrote a study of time cycles in connection with paranormal phenomena in The Cycles of Heaven (1978). With Maurice Grosse
Maurice Grosse
Maurice Grosse was a British paranormal investigator famous for his involvement in the Enfield Poltergeist case.-Early life:Grosse was educated at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London...
he investigated the Enfield Poltergeist
Enfield Poltergeist
The Enfield Poltergeist was a period of apparent poltergeist activity in London, England between August 1977 and September 1978, with an added outburst in August 1980.-Activity :...
over one year, as recorded in This House is Haunted (1980). If This Be Magic, an inquiry into hypnotism (both 1985). He then collaborated with Uri Geller
Uri Geller
Uri Geller is a self-proclaimed psychic known for his trademark television performances of spoon bending and other supposed psychic effects. Throughout the years, Geller has been accused of using simple conjuring tricks to achieve the effects of psychokinesis and telepathy...
on The Geller Effect (1986).
Selected bibliography
- The Unknown Power. Panther Books, St. Albans 1977, ISBN 0586042350
- The Indefinite Boundary. Panther Books, 1977, ISBN 0586046380
- with Scott Hill: The Cycles of Heaven : Cosmic Forces and What They Are Doing to You. St. Martin’s Press, New York 1978
- This House is Haunted : The Investigation of the Enfield Poltergeist. Stein & Day, 1980, ISBN 0812827325
- The Haunted Pub Guide. 1985, ISBN 0245542558
- If This be Magic. Jonathan Cape, 1985, ISBN 0224023381 and ISBN 978-0224023382
- with Uri GellerUri GellerUri Geller is a self-proclaimed psychic known for his trademark television performances of spoon bending and other supposed psychic effects. Throughout the years, Geller has been accused of using simple conjuring tricks to achieve the effects of psychokinesis and telepathy...
: The Geller Effect. Grafton, Jonathan Cape, Hunter Publishing, ISBN 0586074309 ISBN 978-0586074305 - Twin Telepathy. Vega, 2002, ISBN 1843336863
- New Clothes for Old Souls : World Wide Evidence for Reincarnation. Druze Heritage Foundation, 2006, ISBN 190485009X and ISBN 978-1904850090
- Chico Xavier, Medium of the Century. Roundtable Publishing, 2010, ISBN 095644931X
External links
- Biography at SurvivalAfterDeath.org.uk
- Guy Lyon Playfair – Bookshelf of the Association for Skeptical Investigations
- Ghostwatch, article by Stephen VolkStephen VolkStephen Volk is a British screenwriter, whose first produced work was Ken Russell's film Gothic in 1986.His most famous work is Ghostwatch, a controversial drama shown on BBC One on Halloween 1992. It is commonly misrepresented as a hoax documentary, but this was never the intention...
in Fortean Times, January 2003 - Guy Lyon Playfair Answers.com