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Phantasms of the Living - Volume 1 — Spiritualism

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Phantasms of the Living - Volume 1

Name: Phantasms of the Living - Volume 1
Price: 83.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781108027328

✍️ Edmund Gurney, Frederic W H Myers, Frank Podmore

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This seminal two-volume work, penned by psychical luminaries Edmund Gurney, Frederic W. H. Myers, and Frank Podmore, represents a cornerstone of early scientific inquiry into the supernatural. Published in 1886 by leading members of the esteemed Society for Psychical Research, this first volume meticulously compiles over 700 extraordinary case studies. It delves into inexplicable instances of telepathic communication and apparitions of the living, offering a groundbreaking, empirical approach to phenomena traditionally dismissed as mere superstition. A vital resource for understanding the origins of parapsychology.

Gurney, Edmund; , Myers, Frederic W H; , Podmore, Frank

📚 all books by this author (2) →

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Spiritualism

🏛 Cambridge University Press 📅 2011 📖 664 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781108027328

Fun Fact

This monumental work stands as a testament to pioneering efforts in parapsychology, offering an unparalleled collection of meticulously documented accounts. While its Victorian scientific methodology may seem dated, its sheer volume of case studies and earnest inquiry are invaluable. Those seeking quick explanations or sensationalism may be disappointed. It remains a foundational text for anyone serious about the history of psychical research and the enduring mysteries of consciousness.

📝 Description: Phantasms of the Living - Volume 1

This two-volume work, co-authored by Edmund Gurney (1847-1888), Frederic W. H. Myers (1843-1901) and Frank Podmore (1856-1910), all leading members of the Society for Psychical Research, was first published in 1886. It documents over 700 case studies ...

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Gurney and his colleagues present a monumental effort to rationalize the inexplicable through data rather than dogma. The sheer volume of documented cases provides an undeniable weight to their arguments, making it an invaluable resource for historians of science and religion alike. However, readers seeking entertaining ghost tales or quick, digestible summaries will likely find this text dry and overly academic. It demands patience and a willingness to engage with dense, Victorian prose. Those expecting sensationalism or easy answers regarding the afterlife may feel disappointed by its clinical tone and focus on statistical probability over narrative thrill. It is a scholarly cornerstone, not a leisure read.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This volume is essential for the serious student of occult history and the curious mind interested in the origins of parapsychology. Readers who appreciate rigorous, empirical approaches to the supernatural will find immense value in its meticulous compilation of over 700 case studies. It offers a unique window into how Victorian pioneers investigated telepathy and apparitions with scientific precision rather than blind faith. If you are fascinated by the intellectual transition from superstition to psychological inquiry, this book provides the primary source material for understanding that pivotal era. It is not merely a collection of ghost stories but a historical document that shaped future studies of consciousness.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're drawn to the intersection of science and the unknown, or curious about the roots of parapsychology, this foundational text is for you. Explore Victorian intellectual efforts to systematically investigate apparitions and telepathy through meticulously documented accounts.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Gurney and his colleagues present a monumental effort to rationalize the inexplicable through data rather than dogma. The sheer volume of documented cases provides an undeniable weight to their arguments, making it an invaluable resource for historians of science and religion alike. However, readers seeking entertaining ghost tales or quick, digestible summaries will likely find this text dry and overly academic. It demands patience and a willingness to engage with dense, Victorian prose. Those expecting sensationalism or easy answers regarding the afterlife may feel disappointed by its clinical tone and focus on statistical probability over narrative thrill. It is a scholarly cornerstone, not a leisure read.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Not in the traditional sense of fictional horror. This volume presents documented, firsthand accounts of perceived apparitions and psychic experiences, meticulously collected and analyzed by serious Victorian researchers seeking empirical understanding.

Edmund Gurney, Frederic W. H. Myers, and Frank Podmore were pivotal figures in the founding and early work of the Society for Psychical Research, lending immense intellectual weight and methodological rigor to this pioneering study of the unexplained.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Pioneering Psychical Research

Explores the nascent field of psychical investigation, showcasing the early scientific attempts by the Society for Psychical Research to systematically collect and analyze evidence for phenomena like telepathy and apparitions, moving beyond mere anecdote. It establishes a framework for empirical inquiry into the unseen.

The Living Apparition

Focuses specifically on "phantasms of the living"—instances where a person's apparition is seen at the moment of a crisis or death, suggesting a connection beyond physical presence. This challenges contemporary understanding of consciousness and perception, positing a non-physical aspect of human experience.

Empirical Case Studies

Presents a rigorous collection of hundreds of detailed first-hand accounts. This methodology aimed to lend scientific credibility to extraordinary claims, inviting readers to critically examine a vast body of documented evidence rather than relying on unverified folklore or purely theoretical speculation.

📜 Historical context

Emerging from an era captivated by spiritualism yet yearning for scientific rigor, this work stands as a monumental attempt by the Society for Psychical Research to apply empirical methods to supernatural claims. It marked a crucial pivot from sensationalism to systematic inquiry, influencing the nascent field of parapsychology and shaping subsequent investigations into psychic phenomena throughout the 20th century.

📚 Glossary

Phantasm
Psychical Research
Society for Psychical Research (SPR)

📔 Questions to reflect on

How do you personally reconcile extraordinary personal experiences with the demand for empirical evidence, especially when confronting phenomena like apparitions?
Consider the societal impact of a scientific body formally investigating phenomena like apparitions in the late 19th century. How might this have shaped public perception of the supernatural?
If you were conducting psychical research today, what methodologies would you employ to investigate cases similar to those documented here, given modern technology and scientific understanding?