About the author
Stephanie Hoover is the author of Philadelphia Spiritualism and the Curious Case of Katie King (2013), published by History Press. The book examines the Spiritualist movement in Philadelphia in the years following the Civil War, when interest in mediumship and communication with the dead surged as grieving families sought contact with relatives lost in battle. Centered on the case of the medium associated with the apparition known as Katie King, the book situates the story within the wider social and historical context of American Spiritualism's postwar peak, treating it as history rather than as a guide to practice. Structured as narrative nonfiction grounded in historical research, it belongs to the small body of regional Spiritualism histories that document specific mediums and controversies rather than general introductions to the movement. Hoover's book is aimed at readers interested in American social and religious history and the cultural aftermath of mass wartime death, not at practitioners of mediumship.
📖 Where to start with Stephanie Hoover
💬 What our editors say about Stephanie Hoover's books
“Hoover delivers a compelling narrative that illuminates the cultural phenomenon of Katie King without succumbing to sensationalism. However, this book is not suited for readers seeking hard scientific proof or those who prefer…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Philadelphia Spiritualism and the Curious Case of Katie King
“This title provides a compelling look at one of Spiritualism's most famous episodes, blending social history with paranormal intrigue. However, it does not suit readers seeking rigorous academic skepticism or those who prefer…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Philadelphia Spiritualism and the Curious Case of Katie King
