A few years ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing an author by the name of Al G. Manning. Instead of having him come to the TV studio, I traveled to Texas with camera operator Elizabeth Essex. Al generously invited us into his home, and there, we were treated with great kindness by Al and his wife, Virginia. We immediately found Al to be a very jovial and likable man. We also discovered that he was very devoted to his beliefs in the spiritual realms. The subject matter in his books was often a blend of self-help and occult theory. In person, he seemed to reflect this same mixture, and could combine folksy common-sense advice with a knowledge of the occult and a liberal dash of grinning schoolboy humor.
Unfortunately, we realized too late during this excursion that we hadn't brought the proper recording equipment with us, and the sound quality of the interview was quite poor. Back in Arkansas, our editor, C.F. Roberts, worked intensely to restore the sound, and the interview was aired, but the sound quality was lacking, to say the least.
I had ensured Al that I would send him a copy of the interview, but frankly, I was embarrassed to do so. So I didn't. I felt guilty about it for a long time, but was ashamed to admit that the program had come out in a substandard manner.
By the time I finally worked up the nerve to approach Al again and try to explain what happened, and offer him an online interview, it was too late.
Al passed away on April 8, 2006 at the age of 78.
Someday, I may attempt transcribing the original interview with Al. But transcription is intensive and painstaking work. In the meantime, I offer an overdue posthumous apology to Al Manning for dropping the ball on this interview.
As for me, I learned a great deal after spending one evening in Al's company. I felt as if I had been changed in some way, and Al's positive outlook on life made me feel renewed and energized.
Peace be with you, Al.
Al Manning's ESP Lab is still going strong.
Some of Al's books on amazon.com