An Experiment with Time

by J.W. Dunne

Book Overview

2019 Reprint of 1927 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition software. Dunne, a British soldier, aeronautical engineer and philosopher describes in this work his experiment with precognitive dreams and builds on them a theory of time which he later called Serialism. First published in March 1927, the book was widely read and influenced the imaginative literature of the day. An Experiment with Time...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1684223253
• ISBN13: 9781684223251
• Release Date: March 2019
• Publisher: Martino Fine Books
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

The forgotten and fantastic.

In this gem first published in 1927, John W. Dunne puts forth a theory of multidimensional consciousness which manifests itself mainly in the "Dream effect". A mathematician and aeronautical pioneer, Dunne found himself having precognitive experiences throughout his adult life. His dreams would come true. Often times the very next day and in rich detail. I am myself mathematicly inclined, and can only ponder at the discomfort this would have created to a scientist of such a logical mind.And surely enough, he spent the rest of his life seeking an answer to the riddle.In "An experiment with time", he reveals his startling conclusions, which are based in deductive reasoning and experiments.By applying the concept of regression in human consciousness and time to the results of the experimental work he finds an answer to the problem of apparent psychic abilities in his more or less ramdomly chosen subjects.Not only that; he thereby also explains the phenomena of deja vu and many cases of clairvoyance, common precognition, ESP and many other "paranormal" occurances.It is important to note that this theory, which I can only describe as analogous to the theory of general relativity in its ingenuity and brilliance, have NEVER been disproven in its 77 year history.Furthermore there is no known physical law or concept that would disallow the "dream effect", even today.The pieces of the puzzle, therefore, fits uncannily well in the map of the eye-opening reality that Dunne unfolds.Towards the end, Dunne takes the theory even further to prepose the exsistance of an eternal multidimensional concsiousness and a higher, supreme consciousness, which it has to be said, I find rather speculative and philosophical. However, It is an extrapolation that is not wholly unnatural, at least in case of the seamingly immortal qualities of human serial consciousness. This piece is in my mind one of the most important books of the last century, and almost tragic that so few know of it. This is in part, I think, due to the non-scientific material which it brushes up against, but ultimately deciphers for the first time. As to the question of whether or not it is psuedo-science: The experiments can be repeated at all times in any laboratory with any subjects, and from that, the same results have so far been found. These are the parameters which define scientific research. And the more experiments are conducted, the more probable Dunne's conclusions are.This book is exeptionally engaging to anyone interested in these matters. Its my all-time favorite non-fiction piece and I can only recommend it, so that awereness of the theory increases.

A classic study of precognitive dreams

The reader who was "sickened" by this book apparently didn't notice that it was written about 80 years ago. That reader also missed a central historical point: People have been reporting precognitive dreams for a very, very long time and trying to grapple with how to understand them in scientific terms for about a century. Dunne was one of the first to write about his experiences, and his training as an engineer led him to a thoughtful series of analyses and fledgling theories. Anyone who has had precognitive experiences will find this book interesting. But if you strongly believe that such experiences are mere coincidences, or logically incoherent, or impossible, you should avoid this book because it will just make you angry.

Glad it's back in print!

I've been borrowing this book from the library for many many years. I'm ecstatic I can finally have my own copy!I still don't know how I feel about Dunne's theory----basically, that our dreams are memories from the future. But it's something that makes sense (no matter how far fetched it sounds....) and it's something that I'd *like* to believe.A regular person can easily understand the text; it's not all heavy-handed scientific terms. An enjoyable read.

Very insightful yet flawed.

Dunne is onto something very important. The first half of the book is easy to follow and very insightful. It is an important work that, in my opinion, successfully demonstrates the precognotive nature of some dreams. I am perhaps more easily convinced than others as I too have had similar experiences. However, Dunne goes beyond proving the existance of such dreams and attempts to explain how and why they happen. The infinite regress argument seems to be flawed. He claims it to be proof of God's existance. I do not feel that he has successfully proven this theory about the how and why of time. For a very good analysis of Dunne's theory, see "Man and Time" by J.B. Priestly. Regardless, "An Experiment with Time" is a very important book that attempts to take an objective view on a very subjective subject.

A challenging look at the nature of time

This book reviews the author's strange experiences with dreams. He developed a theory of the nature of time as a result. It seems unlikely the author was attempting to deceive readers. He was well known, well respected, and his work was accepted widely at the time.Basically, the author believed dreams relate to a mixture of past and future events, and he developed a test of te theory. The results prove his theory seems to be correct, if you rule out intentional deception. The book is much more convincing than any description of it. And if the thesis is true, then it is is life-changing. I first read the book more than fifty years ago, and I re-read my well worn copy about every ten years, It changed my life.