Sheila Ostrander and Lynn Schroeder

During the 1960s and 1970s persistent rumors originated from the Soviet Union (USSR) about scientific research being done with ESP and other paranormal phenomena. In the Western nations, paranormal phenomena, including ESP, were largely considered silly and impossible. But when word began leaking out about Soviet research involving these topics, and particularly when the rumors indicated that the Soviets were working on ways to use ESP and related phenomena for military purposes, Western authorities became interested.

However, at that time relations between the USSR and the Western countries, including the United States, were extremely strained. The Cold War was on, and the USSR and the Western nations were mutually suspicious and uncooperative, with both factions fearing that the other would start a nuclear war and try to conquer the other. Whereas Western science...