BOOK REVIEWS

THE LUNAR EFFECT: BIOLOGICAL TIDES AND HUMAN EMOTIONS by Arnold L. Lieber

Harden Press, N.Y.: Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1978,

The author of th is book believes his theory to be of some signi f icance. The f i r s t page of the book states:

The unitary concept proposed here is compatible with Einstein 's uni f ied f i e l d theory, with Darwin's theory of nf evoltJtion and with Ludwig Von Ber ta lanf fy 's general systems theory.

In regard to the author himself , the book states:

A.L. Lieber, M.D. is widely informed in the discip l ines comprising the new science of cosmobiology. These d isc ip l ines include medicine, psychology, physics, biology, meteorology, astronomy, and biomagnetism. His discovery of lunar per iod ic i t y in human aggression was a h i s to r i c moment. (no page number)

The author indicates that "much of the evidence in th is book is new" (p. x i ) . The evidence c i ted, as suggested above, cer ta in ly is drawn from a wide range of areas. Also, the author is correct that the s c i e n t i f i c thrust of his work is not wi th in the main- stream of contemporary theoret ical and empirical science. Indeed, as he himself has recognized, many sc ien t i s t w i l l view the lunar e f fec t as ludicrous. The moon, as many w i l l hasten to point out, may be responsible not only for such ef fects as Lieber has iden- t i f i e d , but werewolves as we l l , the cu lpr i ts in many unsolved murders. Other, less f l ippant sc ien t i s t s , w i l l point out that such events as murder are ex t raord inar i l y complex events. A theory accounting for such events from a res t r ic ted perspective is overly s imp l i s t i c , they w i l l argue. Certa in ly, there is much to support such c r i t i c s . Moon worship has h i s t o r i c a l l y in- volved unsc ien t i f i c and misleading explanations of human events, including "magic." Approaches, such as "cosmobiology" which do not rest on a foundation of invest igat ions repl icated by inde- pendent researchers across times, places, and subjects, and which do not involve widespread acceptance by the s c i e n t i f i c community must be cautiously and very c r i t i c a l l y assessed. Even when researchers can point to strong and s t a t i s t i c a l l y s ign i f i can t relat ionships between variables, in terpretat ions of such f indings many vary between sc ien t is ts . Certa in ly, these matters should be kept at the foref ront of any judgmental review of the lunar e f fec t . Nevertheless, to re ject the Lieber work without a thorough and object ive consideration of i t would not be

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consistent with the canons of science. Rather~ the theory should be approached with an open but c r i t i c a l mind. Science as we know i t today i s , a f te r a l l , a very b r i e f phenomenon in the h istory of mankind. Despite our commonplace arrogance, we probably know and understand only a very l imi ted amount about the universe. Much w i l l be learned in the future, I expect, that is t o t a l l y beyond the realm of our present theories and is yet unconceived in the human mind. As Hamlet to ld Horatio, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

Organization and structure

The book, small in size, contains 136 pages of text , a l i s t i n g of the phases of the moon from 1978 to 2003, and a 141 item bibl iography. I t contains I0 chapters. Chapter I , "The Enigmatic Presence," addresses the wideranging role the moon has played in the a f fa i r s of humans. This places the lunar e f fect in cu l tura l and h is to r i ca l perspective, and iden t i f i es the lunar e f fec t as one broadly recognized by indiv iduals in a range of s i tuat ions. Chap- ter 2, "The Moon and Murder," describes the re lat ionship police and f i r e departments are alleged to have iden t i f i ed between phases of the moon and violence. This chapter reports empirical data f i r s t described in Lieber's 1972 a r t i c l e in The American Journal of Psychiatry. That research found homicides peaked at the f u l l moon. In th is chapter the theoret ical explanation is b r i e f l y considered for the f i r s t time. Humans are 80% water, and that f l u i d is influenced by the gravi tat ional pul ls of the moon. Also, Lieber notes the bio logical t ides "do not cause strange behavior. They only make i t more l i k e l y to happen" Tp. 27). Chapter 3, "The Moon and Aggression," i den t i f i es the indiv idual phases of the moon, related to a c t i v i t i e s of plants, animals, and humans al ike. Again, empirical research was ci ted as support- ing the theory. Also, he reports an "outbreak of violence" which he predicted on the basis of the lunar cycle. Chapter 4, "The Moon and Natural Cycles" postulates a "cosmic cycle" en- countered at b i r t h , which sets up a biorhythmic pattern that may be observed over the ind iv idua l ' s l i fespan. Chapter 5, "Cosmic Continuity" again c i t i ng research evidence, presents a second element of the lunar e f fec t : electrodynamic f i e lds , possessed by a l l l i f e forms. Lieber indicates the basic l i f e processes which influence behavior are not only affected by gravi tat ional pul ls on body f l u ids , but also by the influence of cosmic processes on our electromagnetic f i e lds . Such cosmic processes included moon phases, sunspots, solar rad iat ion, cosmic rays, and planetary movements. Chapter 6, "The Moon and the Geophysical Environment" ~oncerns the impact of the moon on the earth. An important element of the lunar e f fect is presented in th is chapter, which indicates the re lat ionship between electromagnetic f ie lds and f l u i d balance in the body and the nervous system. Chapter 7, "The Moon in

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Evolution" indicates the influence of the yariables identif ied earl ier have operated throughout human history, and impacted upon natural selection and mutation of chromosomes. Chapter 8, "The Moon and Civi l izat ion" considers the relationships discussed in previous chapters in a historical context. Chapter 8, "The Moon and Civi l izat ion" considers the relationships discussed in previous chapters in a historical context. Chapter 8, "The Biological Tides Theory" is the cr i t ica l chapter. That chapter synthesizes the various matters previously discussed. Here the massive complexity of the theory Lieber has proposed becomes apparent. Chapter 9, "Applied Lunar Knowledge" indicates how the theory might be used to improve human l i f e . Also, the chapter suggests ways the theory might be tested by other researchers. The possible applications are ambitious in nature and scope.

The Theory of Biological Tides

The sun inf luences electromagnetic forces which inf luence a l l l i f e . The moon's grav i ta t iona l forces also inf luence l i f e , and are strongest when the moon, sun and earth are al igned (new and f u l l moon) and weakest when the 3 bodies form a r igh t angle (the quarters of the moon). Also, the sun and moon in te rac t , as the moon inf luences the sunspot cycle ( intense magnetic energy). The sun's magnetic forces and also i t s radiat ion both inf luence l i f e . Because of the ro ta t ion of the sun, moon and maggetic t ides are considered as an important var iable. Electromagnetic forces inf luence the permeabi l i ty of the membranes of the body. The universe may then be viewed as an open system in which a l l parts infludence a l l other parts. Gravity af fects the water mass of the body d i r e c t l y , and i n d i r e c t l y through the e lec t ro- magnetic f i e l d . The b io log ica l t ides caused by these forces vary on a predictable da i ly and monthly basis. The electromagnetic ef fects a l t e r the physical propert ies of the water at the same time the cel l membrane permeabi l i ty is changed. This resul ts in a l tered f l u i d - f low dynamics w i th in the body. The d i rec t e f fec t of grav i ty and i t s i nd i rec t e f fec t through the electromagnetic f i e l d impinges upon the body's nervous system. Lieber speculates the body contains "gravoreceptors" located within the nervous pathways and blood vessels. The pineal gland is one "gravorecep- tor" converting electromagnetic impulses into hormones which affect the sexual rhythms. Lieber outlines the process as follows:

At one end of the out l ine we have the microscopic view of the body's in ternal environment in re la t ion to the external environment. The internal environment consists essent ia l l y of bundles of ce l ls bathed by ex- t r a c e l l u l a r water. They are energized by nerve impulses that are electrochemical processes coursing

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along a mul t i tude of nerves - the body's e l e c t r i c c i r c u i t r y . As each nerve impulse proceeds along i t s nerve f i be r , a small electromagnetic f i e l d is generated in a c i r cu la r fashion surrounding the f i be r . On reaching the end of the nerve f i be r , the e lec t r i ca l impulse t r iggers the release of chemicals known as neurotransmitters. These chemicals carry the impulse e i ther to another nerve f i be r or to a target c e l l , which may be muscle, gland, blood vessel, and so on. These neuro , t ransmi t te rs . . , act on the target cel l so as to exci te or i n h i b i t i t s func t ion . . . Cosmic fo rces . . , impact upon.., changes in the ion and electromagnetic balance of the ionosphere... Eventual ly, they disturb the electromagnetic equ i l ib r ium of the atmosphere at ground l e v e l . . . ( I f ) the sun, moon and earth are a l i gned . . , the force of grav i ty bearing on Earth is increased.. . (and) the magnetic f i e l d o f the earth w i l l be great ly dis- t o r t ed . . . Persons with unstable personal i t ies and mood disorders or those who are already under considerable physical or emotional stress may experience major setbacks during periods of excessive cosmic stress. I f they are violence prone, they may be t r iggered into uncontrol lable behavior (p. I17- I19) .

Assessment

I f ind myself i l l prepared to make a generalized judgment of the overal l theory. Many aspects of the theory are foreign to most social science researchers, such as the medical aspects of the theory. Nevertheless, some l im i ted comments can be made.

As formulated, th is is "grand theory" of the sort to de l ight Ta lcot t Parsons. Indeed, i t is s u f f i c i e n t l y broad as to escape any easy test of i t s v a l i d i t y . This grandiose qua l i t y was also apparent in the impl icat ions fo r social action drawn from the theory. A lack of caution permeates the ent i re book, and w i l l not reassure most readers of i t s log ica l r igor .

An adequate test of the theory would involve the e f fo r t s of an i n t e r d i s c i p l i n a r y team of sc ien t i s t s . I suspect i t is un l ike ly such a group w i l l be drawn together by an in te res t in the theory, leaving i t wi thout a complete response from the s c i e n t i f i c community. This w i l l be unfortunate, for such

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speculation about the grand order of things is fascinating, and holds an appeal for many. On the other hand, i t may be that such theory is useless at our present state of knowledge, and such a global synthesis must await advances in many fields. Nevertheless, Lieber's work holds many tant i l iz ing hypotheses that are amenable to test. The book is ripe for the picking by graduate students looking for thesis topics.

Methodologically, the book contains statements suggestive of a fundamental naivete on Lieber's part. For example, he cites a case history (one subject) which he asserts is" . . . the confirmation of the concept of biological tides" (p. 123). At another point he states " I f , for example, elimination stops, even for a short time, there is a build-up of body water that overloads the system. This can alter the personality" (p. 26 - 27). Such wi l l certainly create great stress, focus one's attention, perhaps even cause one to transgress social mores regarding proper elimination behavior, but "alter a personality"? Hardly. Also, the book pays scant attention to the impact of social variables. The book consistently employs examples that might easily be explained as spurious relationships yet Lieber seems to take l i t t l e notice of such possibi l i t ies. These lead the reader to wonder i f , having cavalierly ignored such possible interpretations at a level comprehensible to most, have such l iberties been taken at other levels involving vari- ables about which we may not be conversant? I t is possible to be mesmerized by the easily readable style and the bold, imagina- tive theorizing. Also, i t is conceivable Lieber has correctly identified some of the causative relationships cr i t ical to a compete understanding of human events. Yet, the theory may be simply another i l l conceived idea in the tradition of phrenology and atavism. I am inclined to believe i t fal ls within the latter category. Yet, theory presenting research evidence as support should be tested. This theory has not yet received a fa i r test. Also, my limited perspective on most of the vari- ables included within the theory le f t me hesitant to be cr i t ical about the nature of many of the relationships included within the theory. The book should be judged by others, including scientists from other disciplines.

The primary flaw in Lieber's theory involves the d i f f i cu l ty researchers would experience should they wish to test i t . I challenge Lieber to set forth his theory in simple propositional form, showing the nature, direction, and degree of relationship between variables. Also, I challenge him to suggest ways all of the variables included in those propositions might be opera- tionalized.

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Reed Adams, Ph.D. Dept. of Criminal Justice Univers i ty of North Carolina at Charlotte

CRIMINAL JUSTICE: A PUBLIC POLICY APPROACH by James P. Levine, Michael C. Musheno, and Dennis J. Palumbo

Harcourt Brace Jovanovich (New York, New York), 1980. pp. 582 plus glossary and index.

Given the overwhelming number of cr iminal j us t i ce texts appearing on the market, i t is t r u l y a pleasure to f ind one that is d i f f e ren t . (Since "good" is so subject ive, " d i f f e ren t " can be v i r tuous) . Professors Levine, Musheno, and Palumbo have departed from the now-tradi t ional po l ice /cour ts /cor rec t ions approach to cr ime-related study by giving emphasis to a "theory of s e l f - i n t e r e s t . "

The text c lear ly re f lec ts the authors' backgrounds as p o l i t i c a l sc ien t i s ts and legal socio logical analyses are given only the s l i gh tes t emphasis in the tex t . Although de f i n i - t ional problems of what is crime, and theories of cr iminal causal i ty are presented, cr iminals are not viewed as poor, de- mented souls. Crime is presented as an occupation, in keeping with a theory of s e l f - i n t e r e s t . Thus, cr iminals are viewed as pursuing goals consistent with the i r own best in te res ts .

In terms of the c lass ic system/non-system debate, the authors opt for a loosely defined systems approach. They are w i l l i n g to concede that competing goals cause a lack of cohesive- ness. On the other hand, however, the st ructure of the competi- t ion may be "the system." On th is point Levine, Musheno, and Palumbo point out what many have neglected to see - - namely, that cr iminal j us t i ce is no more or less a system than is the whole of American government.

In the realm of re la t ing cr iminal j us t i ce to the p o l i t i c a l system th is text makes two cont r ibut ions. F i r s t , i t presents the operations of cr iminal j us t i ce w i th in a bureaucracy, although the authors are quick to note that cr iminal j us t i ce is not i t s e l f a bureaucracy in the c lassical sense. I t is w i th in th is context that issues such as federal ism and in te res t groups are presented. Secondly, the tex t recognizes that the "Siamese twins" - - p o l i t i c s and po l ic ing - - do ex is t and that they are inseparable.

Another of the areas in which th is book deviates from the norm is in discussing the exercise of d iscre t ion. Many texts de- vote some space to the exercise of d iscret ion by law enforcement o f f i ce rs , but Levine, et a l . include other actors in the system in th is discussion. The main point f i n a l l y i s : policemen do have and exercise a great deal of d iscret ion in carrying out

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the i r jobs, but perhaps no more so than do attorneys, judges, and probation/parole o f f i ce rs . The criminal jus t i ce system is a system of d iscret ion.

Crime prevention is given more at tent ion in th is text than in most. However, the authors portray law enforcement agencies as overwhelmingly concerned with crime prevention. When a l l is said and done, though, most American police agencies s t i l l seem to be reactive rather than pro-act ive. On th is point the authors seem to miss the mark.

Sty l is t i ca l l y , the book is well written and attractive in appearance. Chapters are extensively footnoted, and the authors draw from much of the relevant l i terature in many disciplines. They u t i l i ze some of the "classics" as well as many of the latest books, art icles, and research projects. The glossary is also a useful feature.

In the f ina l analysis, the book raises many i n t r i ca te and in t r igu ing questions, although i t provides few answers. This text would serve well as the primary text in graduate-level seminars on the criminal jus t i ce system or pol icy development and analysis, but i t is probably inappropriate for lower-div is ion or jun io r college introductory courses. The features that make this book d i f fe ren t make i t l eas t useful to the beginning student.

Geo. Larry Mays, Ph.D. Dept. of po l i t i ca l Science/ Criminal Justice Appalachian State Univ.

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