Dan Burstein's Secrets of the Occult

Burstein, a journalist and venture capitalist who achieved mainstream success riding on Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code coattails as the author of Secrets of the Code and Secrets of Mary Magdalene, hosts this sensationalized explanation of the link between science and the occult. Describing ancient magicians and alchemists as the forerunners of modern scientists, Secrets of the Occult (comprised of the two hour-long programs “The Magicians” and “The Scientists”) maintains that occultism is winning converts daily, thanks to a variety of pop-culture influences, ranging from the Harry Potter books to New Age beliefs and holistic health practices, while also hinting that clairvoyants like Madame Helena Blavatsky and occultism-obsessed Satanists such as Aleister Crowley rate consideration alongside Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein. Burstein (and, presumably, the program's other writers) stretch quite a bit in making their most provocative points, and some of their assertions are flat-out ridiculous. Still, considering Burstein's popularity, this admittedly entertaining title—which also includes the bonus featurette “What Is the Occult?”—should be considered a strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (E. Hulse)