The Third Man Factor: Surviving the Impossible

Geiger is the editorial board editor at the Globe and Mail and author of Frozen in Time: The Fate of the Franklin Expedition. What he is not is a scientist I didn't expect nor receive an in-depth review of the scientific side of this phenomenon. Geiger does give us an intelligent tour of Third Man visitations. This tour includes a serious look at the scientific aspects along with the spiritual elements. While Geiger never says, I suspect that he comes down on the side of the spiritual aspect. At the end of several of the `laboratory' discussions, he pointed out the flaws and natural short-comings of their investigation. While many were going through extreme physical distress, this does not explain the mass experiences and sightings nor does it explain the vast differences in many of the stress factor situations - i.e., Oxygen deprivation vs sea level events. The blending of anecdotes and science is never achieved in a smooth fashion. They are of two vastly different worlds. Whether you want to call the phenomenon Guardian Angels or hallucinations will depend on your own personal view of the world. Regardless, this book is a very exciting read and will make you thankful that you are in a warm house with a glass of tea. I would recommend this book to anyone that is drawn to mountaineering, survival skills or wishes to explore the divine side of life. I would also recommend: Fingerprints of God: The Search for the Science of Spirituality, The Crystal Horizon: Everest - The First Solo Ascentand Surviving the Extremes: What Happens to the Body and Mind at the Limits of Human Endurance. Great book. Michael L. Gooch Author of Wingtips with Spurs

People at the edge of death often sense an unseen presence beside them who encourages them to make a final effort to survive. It's a phenomenon called the Third Man Factor - and it's been documented time and again among survivors of all kinds of disasters. Author John Geiger has completed six years of physiological and psychological research on the Third Man, and his analysis blends with case histories for a title recommended for any general lending library.

John Geiger's terrific new book was one of the more rewarding reading experiences I've ever had. Yes, it's entertaining--Geiger is a talented writer who recounts many thrilling tales here--but I was even more moved by the underlying message of hope. Whether you think the Third Man can be explained by science, or divine intervention, what is undeniable is that there exists within us an innate will to survive. What can possibly be more universal than that? There is something in this book for every reader.

This story will keep the interest of people who believe in a religious presence in their life... and it will just as strongly mesmerize people who don't. The "THIRD-MAN" is a term that was given to the phenomena that has been reported many... many... times by people from all walks of life... not only all around the world... but from above the earth as well... when they were "assisted" during a tumultuous event... that could have ended their lives. All of these people... that included... mountaineers, divers, polar explorers, prisoners of war, solo sailors, shipwreck survivors, aviators... and even astronauts... admitted having a mysterious... yet calming... "presence"... either appear in a form they could actually see and talk to... or... that they just felt that someone was either leading them... or following behind them... when their life was on the line. Throughout the telling of these phenomenal stories... the author provides documented medical and historical evidence... that at times verifies that there really is a "THIRD MAN"... and at other times... neurologists attempt to explain it away... based on criteria such as thin air... or hallucinations. Every reader probably knows... that scientists admit... that they still don't know what a large part of the brain is capable of... and why it does what it does. It takes a lot of courage for these famous people to openly write in books about their "THIRD-MAN" experiences... and they have been doing this for over one-hundred years. For the sake of any potential readers who might make a decision not to read this book because they're not interested in that thin line of "FAITH-AND-BELIEF"... I would like to wholeheartedly recommend you read this... even putting that subject aside... simply because of how utterly... utterly... fascinating the detailed stories of human survival... depicted in places such as the south polar island of South Georgia... or on Mount Everest... or deep under the sea... or in the middle of the ocean in giant storms... where a sailor is just too beaten down by the elements to even get off the floor... and yet somehow the boat steers itself through. There is one story that involves Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men attempting to cross the south polar island of South Georgia... during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-16... that will grip you in such a way... that you will never look at the ability of a human being to survive... in the same way again. I will be shocked if you don't find yourself grunting... groaning... or moaning... as these poor men are stripped bare by the harshest elements on this planet. In a much more current and well known event... 9/11... Ron DiFrancesco... the last living survivor to make it out of the towers... tells how... when he was ready to give up... laying face down on the floor... overcome by smoke and gasping for air... "THEN, SOMETHING REMARKABLE HAPPENED: SOMEONE TOLD ME TO GET UP. SOMEONE, HE SAID, CALLED ME. THE VOICE-WHICH

This is a great book of revelation detailing experiences many have had and not understood. It is not a book of science but a book of wonder at a "mystery." Not all mysteries need to be solved scientifically. My 1911 encyclopedia states "uranium is a useless metal." This FASCINATING AND ARTICULATE BOOK IS A FIVE STAR READ FOR ANYONE WHO STILL HAS A LIFE OF INTEREST...DREAMERS AND POETS.