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Modern American Spiritualism — Spiritualism

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Modern American Spiritualism

Name: Modern American Spiritualism
Price: 49.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781498120555

✍️ Hardinge, Emma

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A historical account of American spiritualism originally published in 1869 by Emma Hardinge.

This volume offers a detailed examination of the spiritualist movement within the United States during the late nineteenth century. Emma Hardinge, the author, compiles historical data and literary sources to document the rise and influence of these beliefs. The text is structured to provide clarity on the philosophical aspects of spiritualism, covering topics such as occultism and metaphysics. It does not offer new theories but rather records the existing traditions and events of the era. The book is organized chronologically and thematically to help readers understand the context of these practices. It includes discussions on the mind-body-spirit connection as it was perceived by spiritualists of that time. The work is valuable for historians and those studying the cultural impact of spiritualism in America. It avoids modern commentary, staying true to the original 1869 publication.

Key Themes

American spiritualism history nineteenth century occultism metaphysical philosophy

Literary Context

This book captures the spiritualist movement in America during the late nineteenth century. Originally published in 1869, it reflects the cultural and philosophical interests of that specific period. The work documents the rise of spiritualism as a significant social and religious phenomenon in the United States.

Hardinge, Emma

📚 all books by this author (3) →

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Manly P. Hall's historical esoteric surveys · Arthur Conan Doyle's investigations into spiritualism · Margot Adler's 'Drawing Down the Moon' · Charles Fort's compilations of anomalous phenomena

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Spiritualism

🏛 Literary Licensing, LLC 📅 2014 📖 600 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781498120555

Fun Fact

Emma Hardinge's monumental work remains an indispensable primary source for understanding American Spiritualism's formative years. Her meticulous chronicling, infused with the conviction of an active participant, offers an unparalleled panoramic view of the movement's figures, phenomena, and societal impact. While it won't satisfy readers seeking a critical or dispassionate analysis, it is essential for anyone wishing to grasp the living spirit of 19th-century occultism. A true classic in the field.

📝 Description: Modern American Spiritualism

Emma Hardinge presents a historical account of spiritualism in America, originally published in 1869 and now available as a new edition by Literary Licensing, LLC. This volume examines the rise of the movement during the nineteenth century, focusing on its cultural impact and philosophical underpinnings. The text is organized to trace the development of these beliefs through specific historical periods, offering readers a structured view of how spiritualist practices evolved in the United States. Hardinge draws upon contemporary sources to document the events and figures that shaped this era of metaphysical inquiry. The book covers subjects ranging from general spiritualism to occultism and metaphysics, providing a comprehensive look at the mind-body-spirit dynamic as understood by practitioners of the time. It includes literary collections that reflect the intellectual climate of the period. The work is suitable for those interested in the history of religion and the specific traditions of American spiritualism. Readers seeking modern self-help guides or scientific validation will find this text less relevant, as it remains firmly rooted in its historical context. With 600 pages of content, the paperback edition measures approximately three centimeters in height and twenty-two centimeters in length. The physical dimensions allow for a portable yet substantial reading experience. The ISBN 9781498120555 identifies this specific release from March 30, 2014. The text serves as a primary resource for understanding the spiritualist movement without adding contemporary interpretation or analysis beyond the original material.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Hardinge’s text is a robust historical record, offering unparalleled insight into the American Spiritualist movement’s origins. However, readers seeking narrative flair or theological debate may find it dry. It is not suited for those looking for practical instruction in mediumship, as its focus remains strictly on observation and societal impact rather than technique. The work demands patience from those expecting dramatic anecdotes over rigorous documentation. While indispensable for its era-specific context, it lacks the analytical depth some modern critics desire. It serves best as a reference for understanding the movement's scope and key participants rather than as an engaging storybook. Those preferring contemporary interpretations may find the mid-19th-century perspective dated.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

This volume is essential for historians of religion, practitioners of modern occultism, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of faith and social change. Readers seeking to understand the roots of contemporary spiritualist practices will find Hardinge’s firsthand perspective invaluable. It offers a unique window into a transformative era where the quest for connection with the unseen reshaped cultural identities. Those interested in how grassroots movements influence broader religious landscapes will appreciate this meticulous chronicle of pivotal figures and phenomena. It provides context for modern esoteric thought, making it a vital resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike who wish to grasp the genesis of a movement that left an indelible mark on America's spiritual history.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're captivated by the origins of American Spiritualism, curious about its historical figures, or seeking a foundational text on the interaction between the physical and spirit worlds, this meticulous account offers unparalleled insight. Essential for understanding a pivotal era in occult…

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Hardinge’s text is a robust historical record, offering unparalleled insight into the American Spiritualist movement’s origins. However, readers seeking narrative flair or theological debate may find it dry. It is not suited for those looking for practical instruction in mediumship, as its focus remains strictly on observation and societal impact rather than technique. The work demands patience from those expecting dramatic anecdotes over rigorous documentation. While indispensable for its era-specific context, it lacks the analytical depth some modern critics desire. It serves best as a reference for understanding the movement's scope and key participants rather than as an engaging storybook. Those preferring contemporary interpretations may find the mid-19th-century perspective dated.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Yes, Emma Hardinge was a prominent lecturer and medium during the period she documents, offering an invaluable insider's perspective on the early decades of American Spiritualism.

This new release presents the complete and unaltered text of the original 1869 publication, ensuring an authentic experience of Hardinge's seminal work.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Emergence of Spirit Communication

Delve into the origins of the American Spiritualist movement, tracing its rapid growth from modest beginnings to a widespread cultural phenomenon. Hardinge, as a contemporary and participant, offers unique insights into the initial demonstrations, pivotal figures, and the societal conditions that fostered its acceptance, presenting a foundational narrative for understanding its evolution.

Phenomena and Mediumship

Explore the diverse array of spiritualist manifestations, from rappings and table-tipping to trance speaking and materializations. This work details the practices of various mediums, offering descriptions of their methods and the challenges they faced. It provides a window into the experiential core of Spiritualism, documenting the quest for tangible proof of an afterlife.

Societal and Cultural Echoes

Examine how Spiritualism intersected with and influenced 19th-century American society, challenging established religious doctrines and inspiring new perspectives on death, grief, and human potential. Hardinge chronicles its reception, from fervent belief to skeptical opposition, revealing its profound impact on social reform movements and the broader intellectual landscape of the era.

📜 Historical context

Published at the height of Spiritualism's golden age, this volume stands as a cornerstone in the historical literature of the movement. It captures the fervor and intellectual curiosity of a post-Civil War America grappling with mortality and the unseen, positioning itself as a vital, firsthand chronicle within the broader tradition of esoteric inquiry and religious innovation.

📚 Glossary

Spiritualism
Mediumship
Materialization

📔 Questions to reflect on

How might the widespread belief in spirit communication have shaped societal responses to grief and mortality in 19th-century America?
Considering Hardinge's firsthand account, what parallels or divergences can you identify between historical Spiritualism and contemporary esoteric practices?
If genuine, how would the phenomena described in this book fundamentally alter our understanding of consciousness and the afterlife today?