About the author
Epes Sargent (1813-1880) was an American writer, poet, and journalist who, later in life, became a prominent advocate for Spiritualism. His best-known book on the subject, The Scientific Basis of Spiritualism (1881), argues for the phenomena associated with mediumship on empirical grounds, attempting to place Spiritualist claims within a framework acceptable to contemporary science rather than treating them purely as religious belief. He also wrote Planchette; or, The Despair of Science, an earlier study of automatic writing and the planchette device. The catalogue's editions are largely modern reprints, from Legare Street Press, Hansebooks, and Literary Licensing, reproducing the nineteenth-century texts rather than offering new analysis. These books are of interest to readers researching the intellectual history of Spiritualism and its attempted alliance with science in nineteenth-century America, rather than to those seeking a current practitioner's guide.
📖 Where to start with Epes Sargent
💬 What our editors say about Epes Sargent's books
“Sargent’s seminal work is a bold attempt to legitimize Spiritualism through rational inquiry, yet it may frustrate readers seeking straightforward mystical answers. It does not suit those who prefer emotional validation or…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Scientific Basis of Spiritualism
“Sargent offers a compelling, if somewhat dated, examination of spiritualism’s core mechanics and emotional stakes. The text is essential for historians of religion and those studying the psychology of belief during the Victorian…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Planchette Or Despair Sci V3 Sargent, Epes
“This text serves as a fascinating historical artifact for those interested in the origins of psychical research and the scientific attempts to categorize spiritual phenomena. However, readers seeking modern neuroscientific…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The scientific basis of spiritualism
📋 Editions by Epes Sargent in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Scientific Basis of Spiritualism | 2022 | Legare Street Press | 374 | 9781015761506 |
| Planchette Or Despair Sci V3 Sargent, Epes | 2001 | Routledge | 420 | 9780415236430 |
| The scientific basis of spiritualism | 2017 | Hansebooks | 378 | 9783337334253 |
| The Scientific Basis of Spiritualism | 2022 | Legare Street Press | 374 | 9781015756588 |
| The Scientific Basis of Spiritualism | 2014 | Literary Licensing, LLC | 374 | 9781498053709 |
