"The Men Who Stare at Goats" is a non-fiction book by Jon Ronson that explores the U.S. Army's secret experiments with New Age and paranormal concepts for military purposes
. The story centers on a secret unit called the First Earth Battalion, established in 1979 by some of the most gifted minds in the U.S. Army, who believed soldiers could develop psychic powers such as invisibility, passing through walls, and even killing goats simply by staring at them
. The book reveals how these unconventional and often bizarre military programs evolved over decades, including their involvement in the War on Terror and strange practices like blasting Iraqi prisoners of war with the "Barney the Purple Dinosaur" theme song
. It also touches on connections between the military and mysterious events like the mass suicide of a cult in San Diego
. Jon Ronson's work is both humorous and chilling, providing firsthand access to key figures involved in these secretive projects, including Major General Albert Stubblebine III and Lieutenant Colonel Jim Channon, the founder of the First Earth Battalion
. The book was adapted into a dark comedy film starring George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, and Jeff Bridges, which dramatizes the strange and mind-boggling missions of these psychic soldiers
. In summary, "The Men Who Stare at Goats" is an investigative and often satirical look at the U.S. military's attempts to harness paranormal abilities and New Age ideas for warfare, blending real history with astonishing and sometimes unbelievable stories
