Demonic Foes in an interesting read. The author, Dr. Richard Gallagher draws on his decades of experience dealing with truly possessed (and not so truly possessed) people. Working alongside the Catholic church, it is his job to assess people presenting with supposed possession and rule out any physical or mental causes of their "symptoms". While Dr. Gallagher readily admits that most people who think they are possessed are in fact not, it is clear from his writing that he does fully believe in the possession of a rare few by demons and evil spirits. If you do not agree with him in this assessment, this book will be a hard, or at least unbelievable book to read.

There's really no sensationalism here, though Dr. Gallagher does present the basic facts of several cases, some of which may leave skeptics raising an arched eyebrow a time or two. The introduction is a long slog through what basically amounts to a dozen or so pages of disclaimers. Stick with it (or skip it) to get to the more interesting parts. The main body of the book contains really interesting case studies interspersed with (sometimes long-winded) bits that read a little like an academic textbook. Readers not accustomed to the terminology being thrown around may feel bogged down in these sections.

Toward the end of the book, there are chapters on the history of recorded possessions, from ancient time up through the modern, on the different types of demonic attack, and a chapter on repressed memories and the Satanic Panic.

I actually found this book quite interesting and educational. Personally I'm a believer in the idea of rare demonic possession, but I can see how someone who isn't would find parts of this book unbelievable. This book is not for those people!

Who this book is for: anyone interested in psychology and religion, skeptics who want to believe, and I think it would be a great resource for anyone wanting to writing fictionalized accounts of possession and wishing to be as accurate as possible.

This is written by a psychiatrist Richard Gallagher that has been called by clergy into demonic cases. This was more the medical or science behind the possessions than into what happens to the patients. It was good but not enough about the patients for me.

Seems like I am the kind of reader that Dr. Gallagher had in mind for Demonic Foes: “intrigued but skeptical.” I’m not sure that I believe in demonic possession or oppression (which I learned here, are two different issues), but I have an open mind. I’ve also read other books about the subject written from the perspective of the exorcists. They can’t stress enough how important it is to have the input of a competent and nonjudgmental medical professional, to distinguish between a spiritual disease and a mental one. Dr. Gallagher, as a Psychiatrist, writes from a medical point of view. His account of possession is not unlike the ones I’d read before, even featuring some of the same priests, but with a different and more clinical tone. He always starts his evaluation of allegedly possessed victims with the analysis of their mental health. I was surprised at how many cases were not supernatural at all. Most of the stories, however, are not easily explained. As Dr. Gallagher describes, many symptoms of psychosis can be similar to possession, but others are unexplainable (among many others, speaking a language that you’ve never studied). The book also includes a historical background, and doesn’t shy away from the philosophical, ethical and spiritual implications of the subject. This is an interesting and scary read for anyone interested in good and evil, who is willing to keep an open mind.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/ HarperOne!

I hold a degree in social psychology, and grew up in a religious household, so this book fascinated me. I consider myself agnostic at this point in my life, and it's things like demon possession and evil spirits that make me question whether or not there truly are benevolent and malevolent beings in our realm, or beyond.

This reads like a textbook with some really interesting anecdotes about the author's personal experiences, but those that are looking for an action-packed story will probably be disappointed.

Thank you for the advanced copy.

Demonic Foes is an interesting book. Grounded in the ideals that medication and therapy come first in determining if supernatural forces are at play. If a person does not respond or reflect said issues, it becomes the case for Richard Gallagher.

Richard Gallagher’s book had me intrigued. To think that this book would be a tell all of stories and incidents, I must say I was let down by this one.

This book is written as if someone was doing a thesis for college of the contrasts between psychological and supernatural. Dr. Gallagher’s background is that of a psychologist who was brought in on a few cases from a late priest The priest would bring him clients that he was unsure if they warranted from blessings and or exorcisms. This allowed Dr. Gallagher to form a distinctive opinion on the world of the supernatural and how it could possibly exist alongside science.

While this book would be of interest for those who are looking for a more textbook insight, it isn’t going to be much fun for those who are looking for some creepy tales.

Very interesting account! Crosses disciplines between psychiatry and religion. Gallagher writes not for an audience of peers but for laypeople, which gives more reach for his work.

Dr. Gallagher, a psychiatrist by training, brings his years of experience to the world of demonic possessions. Gallagher always had an interest in religious and spiritual matters, but like with many things, life and a career sidelined these passing interests until the day he was contacted by a Catholic priest to get an opinion on a troubling case. After this initial foray into the possessions Gallagher began to regularly assist this priest and others on various cases. Over the years he has witnessed many strange and unexplainable things: people speaking languages they do not understand, levitating, superhuman strength and other abnormal displays.

Readers interested in true paranormal accounts centering on the demonic and possessions will enjoy this book.