“Memories of MK-ULTRA: A Journey of Discovery from Darkness to Deliverance” by Bill Yarborough has been released worldwide. This 420-page novel, a fictionalized account of the author’s repressed childhood memories, follows three young siblings who are subjected to the experiments, abuse, and manipulation of the CIA’s MK-ULTRA program, a sweeping, secret initiative that explored mind control, interrogation techniques, and ways to prevent agents from divulging secrets.
These traumatic experiments, which took place across more than 80 institutions during the 1950s and early ‘60s, included psychedelic drugs, isolation, electroshock, hypnosis, and various forms of torture inflicted upon American and foreign citizens, hospital patients, students, prisoners, and even children. The author and his siblings were among the victims, and this thrilling, sometimes disturbing, but ultimately hopeful novel is inspired by their brutal experiences – and the program’s lasting effect on their lives.
Because of the nature of the experiments and the resulting psychological repression, the novel explores the blurred lines of perception and reality, ranging from corroborated memories between the siblings to unreliable memories, paranormal experiences, and beyond. Through the stories of Tommy, Curtis, and Beth Matthews, readers face the concepts of identity and self-discovery in the wake of childhood trauma, and ultimately, confront the fragile nature of truth itself.
The novel’s events are embedded in historical context, bringing the tumult of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s to life through the eyes of the three protagonists as they come of age, drawn from the lived experiences of the author and his siblings as memories resurfaced and they began coming to terms with the realities of what they endured. While this compelling story is rooted in the horrors of MK-ULTRA, it is just as much a tale of resilience, healing, and the influence of an unexpected source of light. It also reveals the varying degrees to which the Matthews siblings confront their buried past.
As the narrative unfolds, this psychological thriller reveals astonishing details about MK-ULTRA, government coverups, and the damage wrought upon its (often unwilling or uninformed) subjects. This true story, as told through the lens of the Matthews family, is a haunting look at the past that provides hope for the future.
Memories of MK-ULTRA (ISBN: 9781963844269) can be purchased through retailers worldwide, including Barnes & Noble and Amazon. The paperback retails for $18.99, and the e-book retails for $2.99. Review copies and interviews are available upon request.
Learn more at: https://billyarborough.com/
From the back cover:
The mystery of what they endured as children took a lifetime to unravel.
MK-ULTRA, a covert CIA mind-control program, forces Tommy, Beth, and Curtis Matthews to take part in life-altering experiments during the late 1950s. The experience dramatically impacts their lives, but they don’t remember any of it—at least not right away.
As Beth, Tommy, and Curtis Matthews come of age through the turbulent 60s and into the 80s, invisible strings pull them toward their preordained destinies.
Dr. Rudolph Holtzmann, the Nazi-trained psychiatrist in charge of their CIA program, harbors a secret agenda to turn Tommy into a future world leader, but Holtzmann's work is compromised by dangerous forces surrounding him and by one of his experimental subjects, an indigenous boy with shamanic gifts.
When the MK-ULTRA program is aborted, the siblings are left deeply damaged without access to the memories that can free them. It takes Curtis's psychotic breakdown and Beth's startling vision to open up the pathways to their buried past. These developments lead to the detective work of Lynn Snyder, a diligent therapist—but will it be enough to unravel the hidden tapestry of deception?
The first book of a trilogy, Memories of MK-ULTRA opens a window into the multiple dimensions of the human mind and soul and forces us to question memory, identity, and the fragile concept of the truth.
About the author:
Bill Yarborough’s debut novel Memories of MK-ULTRA is inspired by experiences from his early childhood, where he along with his brother and sister underwent experiments of the CIA’s MK-ULTRA mind control program.
As a result of his traumatic childhood, Bill engaged in an extensive healing journey during which he employed a wide range of traditional and innovative techniques. He is currently working on a sequel to his first novel and is co-authoring a novella with his sister. Two short story anthologies feature Bill’s published works.
Bill lives with his wife, Inge, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Before retirement, he worked in the financial industry and also served as board presidents for two nonprofits. Because of their interest in healing, Bill and Inge are both certified hypnotherapists, EFT Practitioners, and Reiki Masters. They offer EFT (also known as tapping) coaching services and are co-authoring an upcoming book on the benefits of performing EFT in groups. Bill also co-authored a series of emotional health articles in The Diablo Gazette Magazine. Go to billyarborough.com for more information about Bill’s writings and the EFT coaching services he and Inge offer.
About Manhattan Book Group:
Manhattan Book Group (“MBG”), located on Broadway in New York City, is a registered trade name of Mindstir Media LLC. MBG is widely known as a premier hybrid book publisher. We have combined the best of traditional publishing with the best of self- publishing to provide authors with the “best of both worlds” in a sense.
To learn more about MBG, visit https://www.manhattanbookgroup.com/
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