The Quickening: Today's Trends, Tomorrow's World

by Art Bell

With characteristic accuracy and an insight gained from years of being in tune with the public, Art Bell points out the realities of our world today, never letting us lose sight of the truth. The Quickening calls attention to the acceleration of every aspect of human existence as we head toward the future not just limited to technological advancement. $100,000 budget.

Genres: Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1971

About the author

American broadcaster and author known as one of the founders and the original host of the paranormal-themed radio program Coast to Coast AM.

Reviews

[Indrid Cold · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Art Bell, and was excited to finally read this book. It’s not poorly written, but it just doesn’t make a lot of sense. If I had to sum it up for someone, I would probably say this is basically a list of Art’s complaints about life in the mid 1990’s.

Given the title, I expected the book to be similar to Terrance McKenna’s idea that time (or our perception of time) is speeding up. However, Art’s book doesn’t offer an explanation for what his idea of the Quickening really is, or why it happens. Just that more bad stuff is (seemingly) occurring. The Quickening itself is hardly mentioned in the book, and seems shoehorned in when he realizes he’s gotten off track.

Art cites an increase in issues like natural disasters, disease and famine. He doesn’t seem to realize that part of the reason it seems like more of this stuff is happening is that we have increased technology to measure these things, combined with more people living in areas no one ever did before, and a 24 hour news cycle to report on it all.

Some of his predictions for the future of technology did come true, and his fears about a pandemic have now been realized. However, I’m not sure this is a good enough reason to read the book if you are on the fence.

[Robert]

Fascinating perspective on the advent of technology and changing perspective on lifestyles,causes and effects, etc. I read this back in the early to mid 90's. Looking back now I am struck with how much of the foresight sp? is right on cue with the year 2012, only 12-15 years later. Quickening? You nailed this book, Art Bell.

[Conner · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a kid in the 90s, I would sometimes catch Art Bell’s radio show while taking road trips with the family. Known as “The Voice of the Night” for decades, he covered topics that you wouldn’t find on the daytime shows such as paranormal activities and time travel to name just a few. I wanted to read the book to see how some of his predictions had panned out. There was nothing really revealing in what he writes in the book, as many of the topics he covered were already known, such as weather changes, technology advancements, and diseases/pandemics. He basically notes the culmination of these negative trends were becoming greater and more frequent, as well as moving at a faster pace. At the very least, readers of this book would get a better awareness of issues facing humanity and think of ways to correct course. If you are a fan of Art Bell as I am, you’d find some enjoyment in exploring his ideas.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book on the street, and just had to pick it up. If you're unfamiliar, Art Bell was a long time late-night radio host for a paranormal call-in show. Good old fashioned crack-pot fun.

So far, I go between liking the book and thinking it's dumb....which is basically how I felt about the radio show. The book is basically about how things are changing and the direction the world is moving. Some of it is surprisingly accurate, considering the book was written about 10 years ago. However, he tends to make broad sweeping statements, and so far, doesn't site any kind of sources or facts. Some of it reads like a forecast for a dystopic future, and sometimes it just feels like an old person ranting about 'kids these days' and how the future is scary because there will be computers everywhere.

I find I have to keep setting the book aside and coming back to it to enjoy it. May take longer to read than I thought.

[Matt Montgomery · Rating 1 out of 5]

Old man yells at cloud, the book.

[DaNela · Rating 5 out of 5]

[update] Did you know the original was published in 1971? IMHO-Impressive! I'm a big fan of old school Art Bell and his Coast to Coast AM radio show and I really enjoyed this read.

[original] Open your eyes to the reality of the world around us. Get a scary glimpse of what the future will be like, and why. And just because I’m nuts, doesn’t mean this book will make you nuts….. I already had been!

PS-My friend gifted me a signed copy of this for Christmas-that’s so cool!

[Matthew Gere · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full of awful opinions but somehow more evenly measured and centrist opinions than similar figures of today. A bit of nostalgia from nights spent listening and laughing along with Coast to Coast, but NOT a serious guide for developing a world view.

[John Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad but somewhat dated... Interesting how much of what he talks about is even worse than it was when the book was written.

[Mark A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. I listened to Art Bell’s Coast to Coast AM and Dreamland radio shows for many years - in fact, from when the shows began broadcasting! So, I enjoyed reading the many stories in the book that were inspired or reminded me of the shows and the guests he interviewed. Since the book was published in 1997 and the focus of the book is about the future - it is a bit dated now (27 years later). But, many of the trends mentioned in the book continue and are still relevant. His predictions about computer technology and electronics are amazingly prophetic! There are many short fictional stories in the book that are entertaining.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

After listening to Art Bell talk quite a bit on his radio program about this book he wrote, I finally went ahead and bought it. It was interesting to see all the events occurring in the world, and how fast technology and the like growing and encroaching at an ever-increasing speed in our lives. In general, none of this was new news to me; it only solidified the point that change is happening fast and fast as each day goes by. And, after about 30 years after reading this book, the points herein remain in the insane 21st century world of today.

💥 Recommended.
📖

[Daniel Jereb · Rating 1 out of 5]

Weak apologetic for a one world government with a benevolent dictator and gestapo cuz things are going to hell faster than we can keep up with the staus quo in charge. No world for an old man perspective written by a middle aged guy.

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Coast to Coast, but I couldn’t finish this. It’s a poorly written text book of world events and the dissolution of “American Values” that are leading to the world not being “safe”.

[Zombaby Cera · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few truths, a few conspiracies - all in all pretty interesting even if it's already outdated.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Since it was written years ago, it was interesting to see what predictions had come true and some that were really far off. Overall, it was pretty negative about all kinds of world events.

[Kevin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waste of a day's reading. A laundry list of "here's what today's world looks like", without any kind of analysis or even extrapolation from the facts presented. Overall, a very disappointing effort.