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The Search for Bridey Murphy
The story of Ruth Simmons, who while under hypnosis recounts the story of the life of Bridey Murphy under the care of one of the leading hypnotherapist of the day.
308 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1956
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
March 19, 2012
Read this as a teenager. It changed not only how I looked at life but everyone else's. A must.
P.S. Loved the name Bridey so much was going to name my girl Bridey - BUT- never had a girl so I named our dog after her.
P.S. Loved the name Bridey so much was going to name my girl Bridey - BUT- never had a girl so I named our dog after her.
July 1, 2008
When this book was first published, it caused somewhat of a sensation, especially in the Bible Belt where I grew up. A psychiatrist got interested in hypnosis in 1952, and tried it on his neighbor's wife. While trying to regress the woman to her early childhood, he ended up in what must have been one of the first past life regressions, where the woman remembered several past lives, including her life as Bridey Murphy, an Irishwoman in the 1800s. Many of the details of her/Murphy's life were able to be documented, and the book is largely composed of tapes from the hypnosis sessions.
I remember this book vividly, because it was the first forbidden book I ever read. My parents read it, and tried not to talk about it when I was around. I can still see them whispering in the kitchen. My mother took the book and placed it on a high shelf. After awhile, my parents forgot about it, and I was able to retrieve it. I read it under the covers at night with my trusty flashlight. I was eight years old, and my other reading materials at the time were about Beezus and Ramona.
If I had the chance to read this book again, I would do it.
I remember this book vividly, because it was the first forbidden book I ever read. My parents read it, and tried not to talk about it when I was around. I can still see them whispering in the kitchen. My mother took the book and placed it on a high shelf. After awhile, my parents forgot about it, and I was able to retrieve it. I read it under the covers at night with my trusty flashlight. I was eight years old, and my other reading materials at the time were about Beezus and Ramona.
If I had the chance to read this book again, I would do it.
May 11, 2012
I was recommended this book because of the past life experience I had as a boy living in Italy. I have just started the book and already I am ready to be put under to recall any other past lives I may have had.
Finished the book and recommend it for those who have any interest in past lives. This book is not for everyone because of the topic but many of us out there have had such experiences and are not closed minded with the subject of re incarnation.
Finished the book and recommend it for those who have any interest in past lives. This book is not for everyone because of the topic but many of us out there have had such experiences and are not closed minded with the subject of re incarnation.
November 28, 2013
At first, this account of a part-time hypnotist taking a lady through a past life regression was "give-you-the-chills" interesting. Bernstein set the stage perfectly with his description of how he became interested in hypnotism and reincarnation after being a skeptic for the first part of his life. Then, he described his sometimes humorous attempts to be hypnotized himself.
Next, he introduced the reader to Ruth Simmons and his recordings of her hypnotic sessions and the life of Bridey Murphy. The first session or two was, like I said, fascinating. But then, he starts to ask her the same questions over and over. I know that he was just a hobbyist hypnotist, but you'd think he could have done better than that. I became first frustrated with his lack of imagination and then bored. The rest of the book, an attempt to prove the existence of Murphy, wasn't really that interesting because he was never able to get the hard facts to prove that she ever existed. I swear he asked her to spell her husband's name a dozen times and then he was never able to find a mention of the guy in any historical documents. Also, Ruth Simmons didn't particularly like being hypnotized and refused to do any more sessions after the original six tapes. He needed to pick a more willing experimental subject.
Fascinating experiment, but it all could have been done better. This was written in the 50's, since then there's been Brian Weiss' Many Lives, Many Masters. If you're interested in this topic, I'd highly recommend that book.
Next, he introduced the reader to Ruth Simmons and his recordings of her hypnotic sessions and the life of Bridey Murphy. The first session or two was, like I said, fascinating. But then, he starts to ask her the same questions over and over. I know that he was just a hobbyist hypnotist, but you'd think he could have done better than that. I became first frustrated with his lack of imagination and then bored. The rest of the book, an attempt to prove the existence of Murphy, wasn't really that interesting because he was never able to get the hard facts to prove that she ever existed. I swear he asked her to spell her husband's name a dozen times and then he was never able to find a mention of the guy in any historical documents. Also, Ruth Simmons didn't particularly like being hypnotized and refused to do any more sessions after the original six tapes. He needed to pick a more willing experimental subject.
Fascinating experiment, but it all could have been done better. This was written in the 50's, since then there's been Brian Weiss' Many Lives, Many Masters. If you're interested in this topic, I'd highly recommend that book.
May 21, 2012
I read this book because I saw the movie starring Teresa Wright, and it completely blew my mind. I wasn't sure how much to buy into the story, but this book is very convincing and whether you remain slightly skeptical like I have, it is a fascinating read that brings up amazing possiblilities about the soul and the human brain.
At a party, the author witness a hypnotist and finds himself questioning the whole process. But his interest is piqued and he starts studying the art, practicing on his wife and anyone else who will let him. At his own house party, he hypnotizes a guest, Ruth Simmons, who proves to be a most interesting subject.
Ruth regresses back to a previous lifetime when she was Bridey Murphy, an Irish girl who lived during the 1800s. She talks about her life and her death. She talks about the afterlife when her spirit drifted around the country, visiting her husband and her family but never being able to interact with them.
It is all here, the backstory, notes on hypnotism, and the transcripts from the sessions with Ruth Simmons.
At a party, the author witness a hypnotist and finds himself questioning the whole process. But his interest is piqued and he starts studying the art, practicing on his wife and anyone else who will let him. At his own house party, he hypnotizes a guest, Ruth Simmons, who proves to be a most interesting subject.
Ruth regresses back to a previous lifetime when she was Bridey Murphy, an Irish girl who lived during the 1800s. She talks about her life and her death. She talks about the afterlife when her spirit drifted around the country, visiting her husband and her family but never being able to interact with them.
It is all here, the backstory, notes on hypnotism, and the transcripts from the sessions with Ruth Simmons.
March 25, 2010
Great read; the version I had has an introduction and a bunch of additional information in the back. I found the stuff in the back to be a bit more involved and tedious, but if you wanted more factual documentation that was it. Very intriguing, I think everyone should read this book as it is extremely thought provoking.
June 14, 2009
The first book I read on reincarnation. Fascinates me.
September 17, 2022
Author Morey Bernstein's The Search for Bridey Murphy is an engrossing chronicle about a hypnosis experiment that evolved into a past life regression of one client. Part I or "Hypnosis, the first Step on a Long Bridge begins with simple hypnosis that uncovers the reasons for disturbances. Part II. entitled Another Step Across the Bridge, involves experiments with clients who are put in trance, then asked to identify objects held in the hands of others or in a room. The big breakthrough comes in Part III or the Big Step. The goal here is to see if a person can be brought back to an earlier time in life. The wife of a colleague is brought back to life first as a child, then, just after birth and then further and further back. It is then that she tells them her name is Bridey Murphy and she is from Cork Ireland. Tapes of six sessions with the Bridey were conducted with such detail that it warranted research and travel to Ireland. Much was corroborated though there were then and continue to be questions about hypnosis, regression and its veracity. An absorbing and thought provoking read that will leave the reader wondering.
January 27, 2019
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book, although it involved a lot more information than I really needed - essentially, I just wanted the conversations with Bridey/Ruth while she was hypnotized, and some backstory on what they were able to find out about Ireland at that time that would support what they got from Bridey. It takes a very long time to even get into the Bridey part of the book, and by the end with the appendixes, I just did a quick skim. A lot of it was more “research paper” than I needed, probably due to the time in which it was written when these concepts like reincarnation, ESP, and even hypnotism, apparently, were new to most people in America. But overall a really enjoyable read, and it having been written in the 50s added a fun element to the writing style and language. I’m also grateful that it reminded me of how much I want to be trained to be a past life regressionist myself! It’s been a long time passion of mine that I haven’t paid enough attention to.
May 26, 2018
The book was well written considering that the author was neither an writer nor a scientist, yet he was able to deliver a lot of interesting and factual information to the reader. It left you wanting more... especially when the author wrote: "He then proceeded to outline an idea for expanding the Bridey experiment - an idea so fascinating that I can hardly wait to set up the experiment. It looks as though I'm about to take another step on the long bridge."
June 20, 2024
Highly interesting subject matter. Highly untrustworthy author. Almost none of this sounds plausible from the author's mouth but godddamned if you don't want to hang out with Bridey Murphy.
August 12, 2013
I first read The Search for Bridey Murphy when I was a young and quite skeptical teenager ... skeptical but fascinated. Fifty years later I'm still skeptical and still fascinated by the tale. Bernstein, a businessman and amateur hypnotist, has either a skill in writing or a good editor. (See, I told you I was a skeptic.)
February 14, 2015
Although rather convincingly disproved, the best-selling Bridey Murphy book is an important work in the history of past-life regressive hypnotism, channeling and the popular belief in such methods relevant to the alien abduction phenomenon and to false memories of infantile abuse.
July 8, 2011
An amazing book that opened my mind to the possibility of reincarnation. Very good description of hypnotic age and past life regression methods and scripts. Entertaining and reasonably well-written. Highly recommended.
June 3, 2007
One of the first books to pique my interest in reincarnation.
October 14, 2008
Very interesting insight into hypnotherapy. Brief history of Edgar Cayce.
July 30, 2011
Story of past life regression through Hypnosis. Interesting ... could this possibly be true??
August 5, 2012
Interesting.
May 16, 2018
it's been 45 years since I read this book and it was absolutely life-changing for me and what I believe.. I think it's time to read it again
June 25, 2008
First book I read on past life regressions. It opened up a new field of interest for me.
September 30, 2010
I read this at about 9 years old. It was a huge influence on my world view.
July 23, 2019
I start many more books than I finish, not only because I reject many of them before reaching the end, but sometimes because I am afraid or overwhelmed or need to take a break. One such book in which I stopped after a few pages was Fundamentals of Yoga where I got stuck on the line "Everything is suggestion." Everything? Really? That's an awful lot of things but over the succeeding decades, I began to understand what he meant. It is a view of reality in which the objects we perceive are not separate from the perceiver. What we see contains a lot that we are adding to it and what we add is what it has historically been suggested we see and can be modified by further suggestion in the present.
Hypnosis is a state of heightened suggestibility led by a single person who we call the hypnotist and this is a book written by a hypnotist, Morey Bernstein, whom the official blurb calls "the leading hypnotherapist of the day." The edition I read gives a co-author of William J. Barker who originally serialized the story for the Denver Post and helped Mr. Bernstein with the book.
This gives us a hybrid sort of book--part story telling and part research paper complete with appendices. The story part makes it easy reading though there's a bit too much of a wait as we wait for Bridey to show up. The research comes across as convincing, possibly in part because of the story line in which the researcher starts out as a complete skeptic.
If everything is suggestion, this book is. We want to believe it. I like Mr. Bernstein am a poor hypnotic subject. Part of saying that intelligence correlates positively with hypnotizability is the suggestion that you're smart to go along with the program. I believe that Mr. Bernstein believes it.
However, I did some more research on my own. Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science has a section on Bridey Murphy in a later edition, added because the book topped the best seller lists for weeks (in the mid 1950s when it first came out) and was made into a movie. Bernstein tells us that Ruth Simmons is a pseudonym but Martin Gardner tells us her real name was Tighe. What's more, Tighe herself wasn't convinced of the truth of her incarnation as Bridey Murphy. Duke University researcher J. B. Rhine who Bernstein portrays as an ally is revealed as not being convinced either. Evidence is presented that Ms. Tighe had performed Irish Jigs and spoken in a brogue in the past and knew a Bridie Murphy who told her stories of her childhood, etc.
Still, I enjoyed the book, even if I didn't fall under its trance, and I remain agnostic on the subject of
past lives. I certainly believe that much of our lives is suggestion.
Hypnosis is a state of heightened suggestibility led by a single person who we call the hypnotist and this is a book written by a hypnotist, Morey Bernstein, whom the official blurb calls "the leading hypnotherapist of the day." The edition I read gives a co-author of William J. Barker who originally serialized the story for the Denver Post and helped Mr. Bernstein with the book.
This gives us a hybrid sort of book--part story telling and part research paper complete with appendices. The story part makes it easy reading though there's a bit too much of a wait as we wait for Bridey to show up. The research comes across as convincing, possibly in part because of the story line in which the researcher starts out as a complete skeptic.
If everything is suggestion, this book is. We want to believe it. I like Mr. Bernstein am a poor hypnotic subject. Part of saying that intelligence correlates positively with hypnotizability is the suggestion that you're smart to go along with the program. I believe that Mr. Bernstein believes it.
However, I did some more research on my own. Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science has a section on Bridey Murphy in a later edition, added because the book topped the best seller lists for weeks (in the mid 1950s when it first came out) and was made into a movie. Bernstein tells us that Ruth Simmons is a pseudonym but Martin Gardner tells us her real name was Tighe. What's more, Tighe herself wasn't convinced of the truth of her incarnation as Bridey Murphy. Duke University researcher J. B. Rhine who Bernstein portrays as an ally is revealed as not being convinced either. Evidence is presented that Ms. Tighe had performed Irish Jigs and spoken in a brogue in the past and knew a Bridie Murphy who told her stories of her childhood, etc.
Still, I enjoyed the book, even if I didn't fall under its trance, and I remain agnostic on the subject of
past lives. I certainly believe that much of our lives is suggestion.
Read
May 29, 2019The Search for Bridey Murphey was a widely influential hypnosis/past-life regression book by Morey Bernstein (1920-1979). Originally published in 1956 on Doubleday & Co., it spent 26 weeks on the best-seller list, and was still in print as late as 1989 on Penguin/Random House.
The book is divided into two main sections, followed by a multi-part conclusion and several appendices. The first section follows the author's transition from aloof skeptic to enthusiastic hypnotist, with some tangents into electroshock therapy, drug-assisted hypnosis (sodium pentathol, etc), and our good friend Edgar Cayce.
The second section consists primarily of transcriptions of recordings of six hypnosis sessions with a Denver-area woman, Vivian Tighe (pseudonymously named “Ruth”) detailing her past life as “Bridey Murphey” in a small Irish hamlet in the 1800s. These recordings were also released commercially, with coordinated graphic design to the mass-market paperback.
The conclusions include some fact-checking and research into the historical veracity of Murphey’s story, and respond to assumed critical rebuttals and inquiries on the topic. The appendices cover hypnosis technique and paranormal phenomenon (ESP, psychokinesis, etc).
Literarily, this work’s main appeal is that it delivers exceedingly strange material with the trademark charming, paternalistic pipe-and-dressing-gown didacticism of the mid-1950s. This work is decidedly unlike later Aquarian Age texts, in that it assumes a Greatest Generation readership, who will likely encounter concepts from eastern religion or paraphenomenology with either unfamiliarity or skepticism, rather than an open mind.
Bernstein threads this own story throughout the book in a way that late 2010s audiences would recognize as “relatable.” He runs a family-owned heavy equipment shop and laments the endless paperwork; goes on road trip vacations with his wife; includes entertaining reactions from his ribald friend when he begins to explore his new hobby. These anecdotes and asides help to keep the reader following the book’s narrative path as things get weird (I assume there’s a technical term for this in the realm of confidence games, but I’m unfamiliar with it).
The Search for Bridey Murphey takes a light touch with the specifics when discussing the interregnum between one life and next. “Ruth” describes her time in this state as omniscient and disembodied; she can appear anywhere and locate anyone at merely a thought. Owing to Bridey’s Catholic upbringing, the author describes this phase loosely as a “Purgatory,” but little further discussion is included vis-a-vis Heaven, Hell, etc.
The massive popularity of this book ensured that many of its related artifacts remain available online, including an appearance by Mrs. Tighe on a 1966 episode of the game show “To Tell The Truth.”
The book is divided into two main sections, followed by a multi-part conclusion and several appendices. The first section follows the author's transition from aloof skeptic to enthusiastic hypnotist, with some tangents into electroshock therapy, drug-assisted hypnosis (sodium pentathol, etc), and our good friend Edgar Cayce.
The second section consists primarily of transcriptions of recordings of six hypnosis sessions with a Denver-area woman, Vivian Tighe (pseudonymously named “Ruth”) detailing her past life as “Bridey Murphey” in a small Irish hamlet in the 1800s. These recordings were also released commercially, with coordinated graphic design to the mass-market paperback.
The conclusions include some fact-checking and research into the historical veracity of Murphey’s story, and respond to assumed critical rebuttals and inquiries on the topic. The appendices cover hypnosis technique and paranormal phenomenon (ESP, psychokinesis, etc).
Literarily, this work’s main appeal is that it delivers exceedingly strange material with the trademark charming, paternalistic pipe-and-dressing-gown didacticism of the mid-1950s. This work is decidedly unlike later Aquarian Age texts, in that it assumes a Greatest Generation readership, who will likely encounter concepts from eastern religion or paraphenomenology with either unfamiliarity or skepticism, rather than an open mind.
Bernstein threads this own story throughout the book in a way that late 2010s audiences would recognize as “relatable.” He runs a family-owned heavy equipment shop and laments the endless paperwork; goes on road trip vacations with his wife; includes entertaining reactions from his ribald friend when he begins to explore his new hobby. These anecdotes and asides help to keep the reader following the book’s narrative path as things get weird (I assume there’s a technical term for this in the realm of confidence games, but I’m unfamiliar with it).
The Search for Bridey Murphey takes a light touch with the specifics when discussing the interregnum between one life and next. “Ruth” describes her time in this state as omniscient and disembodied; she can appear anywhere and locate anyone at merely a thought. Owing to Bridey’s Catholic upbringing, the author describes this phase loosely as a “Purgatory,” but little further discussion is included vis-a-vis Heaven, Hell, etc.
The massive popularity of this book ensured that many of its related artifacts remain available online, including an appearance by Mrs. Tighe on a 1966 episode of the game show “To Tell The Truth.”
September 1, 2024
The best about Morey Bernstein's reincarnation classic The Search for Bridey Murphy is how it's vindicated in hindsight. Shortly after its publication, skeptics, critics, or enemies among other reproaches found in the similarity between the names "Morey Bernstein" and "Bridey Murphy" an indication that Virginia Tighe, the woman hypnotized by the merchant Bernstein into a seeming earlier life, should have simply produced fantasies, in her mind, based on experiences from her current existence. Meanwhile, the one who now with the help of the Internet searches history for people suspiciously resembling each other, with an eye at corresponding scenarios of reincarnation, finds that such lingual similarities do indeed use to connect people who're similar to each other also in other respects.
Twin research - about which one can read in the books by Nancy Segal - anyway has by now clarified how reliably language and human physiology and physiognomy interact in a framework of reproducible patterns. The most prominent figures of history, meanwhile, turn out as resembling each other in such a combined way - both physiognomically and lingually - even also on the basis of reliable temporal rhythms, and beyond consanguineous ties. Names in such a context use not always to stay with the apparently reincarnating individual him- or herself but also can switch their locations and occur with contacts. Beyond "Bridey Murphy" / "Morey Bernstein", Bernstein's account affords that sort of a case in the similarity connecting "Cork, Ireland" - name of the place at which Tighe mainly reported to have lived in her past existence - to "Colorado", the name of the state of the USA in which Tighe has lived herself.
At least a German edition of Bernstein's book titled Protokoll einer Wiedergeburt contains a concluding overview over how a search for Bridey Murphy has been conducted in situ, on the soil of Ireland. Investigators are reported to have identified partially clear hits for locations, buildings, and names, but also deviations of how such set-scenes were arranged. A woman of the name "Bridey Murphy" could not be identified. Experiences of mine with lucid and precognitive dreams to me make it fairly clear that Mrs. Tighe must have perceived leftovers of an earlier Cork and Belfast life in a form similar to dreaming. Places I have dreamt of before ever visiting them or even just perceiving imagery on them have appeared in such dreams of mine with similar variations like they have had real Irish conditions differ from what Mrs. Tighe had seen. Dreams are simulated imagery certain basic parameters of which root in realistic perception. So a transformation and variation of real Irish roots of what Mrs. Tighe has perceived of a similar kind will have to be made responsible for the differences found.
Twin research - about which one can read in the books by Nancy Segal - anyway has by now clarified how reliably language and human physiology and physiognomy interact in a framework of reproducible patterns. The most prominent figures of history, meanwhile, turn out as resembling each other in such a combined way - both physiognomically and lingually - even also on the basis of reliable temporal rhythms, and beyond consanguineous ties. Names in such a context use not always to stay with the apparently reincarnating individual him- or herself but also can switch their locations and occur with contacts. Beyond "Bridey Murphy" / "Morey Bernstein", Bernstein's account affords that sort of a case in the similarity connecting "Cork, Ireland" - name of the place at which Tighe mainly reported to have lived in her past existence - to "Colorado", the name of the state of the USA in which Tighe has lived herself.
At least a German edition of Bernstein's book titled Protokoll einer Wiedergeburt contains a concluding overview over how a search for Bridey Murphy has been conducted in situ, on the soil of Ireland. Investigators are reported to have identified partially clear hits for locations, buildings, and names, but also deviations of how such set-scenes were arranged. A woman of the name "Bridey Murphy" could not be identified. Experiences of mine with lucid and precognitive dreams to me make it fairly clear that Mrs. Tighe must have perceived leftovers of an earlier Cork and Belfast life in a form similar to dreaming. Places I have dreamt of before ever visiting them or even just perceiving imagery on them have appeared in such dreams of mine with similar variations like they have had real Irish conditions differ from what Mrs. Tighe had seen. Dreams are simulated imagery certain basic parameters of which root in realistic perception. So a transformation and variation of real Irish roots of what Mrs. Tighe has perceived of a similar kind will have to be made responsible for the differences found.
August 17, 2024
ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS PURPORTED "REINCARNATION" ACCOUNTS
U.S. housewife Virginia Tighe (1923-1995) was hypnotically regressed in 1952 by amateur hypnotist Morey Bernstein, and claimed to have been a 19th century Irishwoman named "Bridey Murphy" in a previous lifetime. Bernstein's book about this became a huge bestseller (he called Tighe "Ruth Simmons" in the book), but reporters who tried to follow up on the story found that none of the "facts" checked out; and since it was discovered that one of Mrs. Tighe's neighbors in her childhood days was named "Bridey Murphy Corkell," the case has generally been dismissed as an example of Cryptomnesia [i.e., a forgotten memory returns without being recognized as such].
In addition to the original book, the edition I read also contains several chapters by other writers: "The Case for Bridey in Ireland," and "Bridey's Debunkers Debunked."
Bernstein shared tapes of his hypnosis session with "one listener whose brilliance and penetrating logic had won him national prominence," and was told, "an alternative theory which will probably be suggested by some is that your subject has read or heard a story which she has adopted as her own. But ... Hearing or reading a story would not account for her subtle Irish brogue while under hypnosis... Furthermore, Bridey's life is too drab and unromantic to have been the theme of any story... I believe I'm safe in saying that anyone who has LISTENED to your tapes will promptly agree that ... this is a person who is actually relating her own experiences and not merely repeating a tale." (Pg. 222-223)
The "Debunkers Debunked" essay addresses the "Bridey Murphy Corkell" matter: "Under hypnosis, as has been said in this book elsewhere, memory does not automatically become totally accurate... times and details often confuse and overlap. It is possible that Ruth's fantastic memory picked up the 'Bridie' name from her Chicago childhood and misapplied it to the Irish recollection. However, another question is raised by this thought: Is it likely that Ruth, as a child, knew Mrs. Corkell's first name or maiden name?" (Pg. 267)
Regardless of whether or not one takes the book's subject as true, this book is a very well-written and gripping account; it can be read simply for reading enjoyment, even if not as a true expression of a metaphysical reality.
U.S. housewife Virginia Tighe (1923-1995) was hypnotically regressed in 1952 by amateur hypnotist Morey Bernstein, and claimed to have been a 19th century Irishwoman named "Bridey Murphy" in a previous lifetime. Bernstein's book about this became a huge bestseller (he called Tighe "Ruth Simmons" in the book), but reporters who tried to follow up on the story found that none of the "facts" checked out; and since it was discovered that one of Mrs. Tighe's neighbors in her childhood days was named "Bridey Murphy Corkell," the case has generally been dismissed as an example of Cryptomnesia [i.e., a forgotten memory returns without being recognized as such].
In addition to the original book, the edition I read also contains several chapters by other writers: "The Case for Bridey in Ireland," and "Bridey's Debunkers Debunked."
Bernstein shared tapes of his hypnosis session with "one listener whose brilliance and penetrating logic had won him national prominence," and was told, "an alternative theory which will probably be suggested by some is that your subject has read or heard a story which she has adopted as her own. But ... Hearing or reading a story would not account for her subtle Irish brogue while under hypnosis... Furthermore, Bridey's life is too drab and unromantic to have been the theme of any story... I believe I'm safe in saying that anyone who has LISTENED to your tapes will promptly agree that ... this is a person who is actually relating her own experiences and not merely repeating a tale." (Pg. 222-223)
The "Debunkers Debunked" essay addresses the "Bridey Murphy Corkell" matter: "Under hypnosis, as has been said in this book elsewhere, memory does not automatically become totally accurate... times and details often confuse and overlap. It is possible that Ruth's fantastic memory picked up the 'Bridie' name from her Chicago childhood and misapplied it to the Irish recollection. However, another question is raised by this thought: Is it likely that Ruth, as a child, knew Mrs. Corkell's first name or maiden name?" (Pg. 267)
Regardless of whether or not one takes the book's subject as true, this book is a very well-written and gripping account; it can be read simply for reading enjoyment, even if not as a true expression of a metaphysical reality.
November 10, 2025
A very interesting but mildly difficult read. With it being a firsthand account from the 50s, the writing style is a little drawn out and the hypnotism transcriptions could be a little long, particularly when ‘Ruth’ is going into and coming out of the trance. Nevertheless, what a bizarre phenomenon and fantastic to have it recorded in such a way! Even though the past life regression has been explained by cryptomnesia, even this in itself shows how complicated our human brains can be. Unfortunately, there is no why and how at the end of this book but it definitely opens up a new rabbit hole to go down. Though I particularly enjoyed how the author became aware of hypnotherapy at the start of the book. I can also appreciate the cultural impact this would have had at the time, with the crossing over of science and spiritualism, and does make you question if we did have ‘past lives’. If you want to be fully confused on how the human mind can make up such scenarios, give this a read.
(Took me longer to read due to ill health, it’s not that long of a book!)
(Took me longer to read due to ill health, it’s not that long of a book!)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2022
Morey Bernstein was a sceptic when it came to subject matters such as hypnotism and past lives. Through a series of Chance meetings and synchronicities, he became fascinated with this subject matter.
The book was written in the 1950’s when the subject of reincarnation was not talked about openly as it is now - although the subject matter is nothing new, many cultures have believed in it for centuries.
What I enjoyed most was his journey. He investigated and researched everything thoroughly - from ESP experiments to interviewing people. I have read many books that have gone far beyond a simple regression. When this book was written it was still a novel idea to many in the western world and it remains a classic.
The book was written in the 1950’s when the subject of reincarnation was not talked about openly as it is now - although the subject matter is nothing new, many cultures have believed in it for centuries.
What I enjoyed most was his journey. He investigated and researched everything thoroughly - from ESP experiments to interviewing people. I have read many books that have gone far beyond a simple regression. When this book was written it was still a novel idea to many in the western world and it remains a classic.
April 25, 2025
I just don't know... it was well written and thought out explaining the authors process of his hypnosis experiment in full detail giving scientific information and historical tidbits. Fascinating topic so the book hold your attention. I just don't know, lol. I know that through the years there has been many skeptics regarding the story of Bridey Murphy and just as many believers and I find myself sitting right in the middle although the details are fascinating. I just admit as a family historian who has worked with genealogy for the last 30 years - with the release of so many genealogical records since the 50's I will be researching her via records to make my own determination lol. The Search for Bridey Murphy is very thought provoking.
November 24, 2020
This book made me look at reincarnation differently. Until I read this, I thought of reincarnation solely as part of the Hindu religion and the vehicle for administering karma. The book took religion out of the equation and made it possible for a Christian to at least consider the possibility that it could exist.
When talking directly with Ruth/Bridey, the tone is conversational; when talking about reincarnation itself and the search for documentation that Bridey lived, the tone becomes much more academic and, consequently a little dry. The entire book is a must read for the curious.
When talking directly with Ruth/Bridey, the tone is conversational; when talking about reincarnation itself and the search for documentation that Bridey lived, the tone becomes much more academic and, consequently a little dry. The entire book is a must read for the curious.
July 7, 2021
This book was probably ground-breaking when it was published, but time has not been kind to the content. So much of the pseudo-science has been formally and finally debunked, and no trace of Bridey Murphy has surfaced despite universal and free access to Ireland census, church and birth records that the narrative is now more comic than serious or thought-provoking. I cringed at many times while reading it. I feel bad for the memory of Morey Bernstein, forever saddled with the stain of mid-century hocus-pocus.
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