Raymond, or Life and Death: With Examples of the Evidence for Survival of Memory and Affection after Death — Spiritualism

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Raymond, or Life and Death: With Examples of the Evidence for Survival of Memory and Affection after Death

Name: Raymond, or Life and Death: With Examples of the Evidence for Survival of Memory and Affection after Death
Price: 16.07 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781789874792

✍️ Lodge, Oliver J

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4.5

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Sir Oliver Lodge, a distinguished English physicist, grapples with the profound loss of his son, Raymond, who perished on the Western Front during World War I. Already deeply immersed in spiritualist thought, Lodge and his wife embark on a poignant journey to communicate with Raymond from the afterlife. This compelling work is structured in three distinct sections: first, a moving biographical portrait of Raymond; second, detailed accounts of the spiritualist séances where alleged communications occurred; and finally, Lodge's essays reflecting on life, death, and the persistence of consciousness. It's a testament to enduring love and the search for solace.

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Spiritualism

🏛 Pantianos Classics 📅 1916 📖 278 pages 🌐 en 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781789874792

Fun Fact

Sir Oliver Lodge's 'Raymond' is a fascinating, if sometimes heartbreaking, blend of biography and spiritual investigation. It shines as a deeply human document of a father's grief, offering unparalleled insight into early 20th-century spiritualist practices and the solace they offered. While skeptics may remain unconvinced by the 'evidence' presented, its historical and cultural significance is undeniable. This book is invaluable for students of spiritualism, WWI history, and the psychology of belief, though those seeking purely objective, scientific proof might find it more a testament to faith than empirical fact.

📝 Description: Raymond, or Life and Death: With Examples of the Evidence for Survival of Memory and Affection after Death

English physicist Sir Oliver Lodge lost his son Raymond in World War One. He and his wife were committed spiritualists, and they claimed to have been contacted by Raymond's spirit from the afterlife. This book is split into three parts. The first is dubbed the 'Normal Portion', which is a biographical account of Raymond's life, his enrollment in the British Army, his letters and correspondence, and finally the fateful day in which he died fighting on the Western Front. Finally, a series of condolences from his fellow soldiers and ranking officers are included, attesting to the young man's strength of spirit and bravery. The second part of this book is titled 'Supernormal Portion', and recounts the various times in which the spirit of Raymond made contact with one or both of his parents. Already interested in the field of spiritualism and communicating with the spirits of the deceased, Oliver Lodge hired mediums to conduct séances, whereby they would attempt to contact Raymond. These sittings, which took place in 1915 and 1916, include dialogue and conversations the participants had with Raymond. The final part of the book, entitled 'Life and Death', consists of essays by Oliver Lodge on the academic and scientific aspects of spiritualism. Notions that the mind remained intact after death, and on the nature of life, death and consciousness, are among the subjects discussed.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

While emotionally powerful, this text demands acceptance of spiritualist premises that may alienate skeptical readers. It is not suited for those seeking hard scientific proof or detached academic analysis; rather, it is a deeply personal narrative rooted in faith and grief. Readers expecting rigorous empirical data will likely find the mediumship accounts lacking. However, for those open to metaphysical exploration, Lodge’s sincere voice and structured presentation of séances offer valuable insight into early twentieth-century spiritualism. The biographical section adds necessary emotional weight, but the philosophical essays may feel repetitive to some. It remains a significant historical document of its time.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers grappling with profound loss or those curious about the historical intersection of science and spirituality will find deep resonance here. Sir Oliver Lodge offers a poignant blend of personal biography and spiritualist practice, providing a rare glimpse into how a distinguished physicist processed the tragic death of his son. The book serves as a testament to enduring parental love and the human desire for connection beyond death. It is ideal for those who appreciate candid accounts of grief, historical spiritualism, and the philosophical question of whether consciousness persists after physical demise. Lodge’s gentle yet earnest approach makes this a comforting, albeit speculative, companion for anyone seeking solace or understanding in the face of mortality.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you are drawn to the intersections of science, spirituality, and personal tragedy, or are curious about the origins of modern spiritualism, this book offers a profound and deeply personal exploration. It's an essential read for anyone contemplating the nature of consciousness and life after…

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

While emotionally powerful, this text demands acceptance of spiritualist premises that may alienate skeptical readers. It is not suited for those seeking hard scientific proof or detached academic analysis; rather, it is a deeply personal narrative rooted in faith and grief. Readers expecting rigorous empirical data will likely find the mediumship accounts lacking. However, for those open to metaphysical exploration, Lodge’s sincere voice and structured presentation of séances offer valuable insight into early twentieth-century spiritualism. The biographical section adds necessary emotional weight, but the philosophical essays may feel repetitive to some. It remains a significant historical document of its time.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, while authored by a respected physicist, it's primarily a deeply personal account of grief and spiritual exploration, blending biographical narrative with detailed records of mediumistic communications, framed within Lodge's spiritualist convictions.

The book details alleged communications received through various mediums, purporting to be from Raymond. These include specific details, phrases, and personal anecdotes that Lodge believed could only have come from his deceased son, offering a unique perspective on a father's quest for validation.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Grief & Enduring Love

The book serves as a powerful testament to parental sorrow and the profound human need to connect with loved ones lost. Lodge's personal tragedy forms the emotional core, driving his relentless pursuit of evidence for an afterlife, showcasing how love can transcend the boundaries of physical existence and inspire extraordinary quests for understanding.

Spiritualism & Afterlife

This volume offers a firsthand look into early 20th-century spiritualist practices, specifically the use of mediums and séances to communicate with the deceased. Lodge, a scientist, meticulously documents the alleged contacts with his son, presenting them as compelling 'evidence' for survival of consciousness, challenging conventional scientific paradigms of the time.

WWI's Unseen Toll

Beyond the personal narrative, the book subtly highlights the devastating impact of World War I, not just on individual lives but on societal psyche and spiritual beliefs. Raymond's death is a poignant example of the generation lost, and the widespread grief fueled a surge in spiritualist interest as people sought comfort and meaning amidst unprecedented loss.

📜 Historical context

Published in the wake of the devastating First World War, Lodge's work captures a pivotal moment when immense loss fueled a surge in spiritualist inquiry. It stands as a significant document within the broader spiritualist movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting a societal yearning for reassurance that death was not the absolute end, and that communication with the departed was possible.

📚 Glossary

Spiritualism
Séance
Mediumship

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does Lodge's scientific background influence his approach to spiritualism, and how might your own background shape your beliefs about life after death?
Consider the role of grief in driving human curiosity and exploration. In what ways does profound loss lead to new forms of understanding or belief?
If you were to seek evidence for an afterlife, what kind of proof would you find most compelling, and why?