Spiritualism, Mesmerism and the Occult, 1800-1920 Vol 2 — Spiritualism

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Spiritualism, Mesmerism and the Occult, 1800-1920 Vol 2

Name: Spiritualism, Mesmerism and the Occult, 1800-1920 Vol 2
Price: 233.99 USD
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ISBN: 9781138757462

✍️ McCorristine, Shane

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This compelling collection unearths the hidden narratives connecting 19th-century scientific inquiry, medical practice, and spiritual belief. Delving into the often-overlooked fringes of intellectual history, it meticulously compiles rare primary sources. The volume systematically explores phenomena ranging from the early fascination with mesmerism to the eventual wane of psychical research in the early 20th century, offering a panoramic view of how these "dark arts" challenged and shaped conventional thought.

McCorristine, Shane

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Spiritualism

🏛 Routledge 📅 2012 📖 354 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781138757462

Fun Fact

McCorristine's compilation is an invaluable treasury for understanding the complex intellectual currents of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its strength lies in presenting original voices, allowing readers to form their own conclusions. While those seeking a straightforward narrative analysis might find its primary source format challenging, for serious scholars and curious minds, it offers unparalleled depth into the shadowy corners where science met spirit.

📝 Description: Spiritualism, Mesmerism and the Occult, 1800-1920 Vol 2

This edition provides an insight into the dark areas between Victorian science, medicine and religion. The rare reset source material in this collection is organized thematically and spans the period from initial mesmeric experiments at the beginning of the nineteenth century to the decline of the Society for Psychical Research in the 1920s.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

McCorristine delivers a rigorous academic examination of the overlap between science and spirituality in the nineteenth century. The text is dense with historical analysis, making it an essential resource for those studying the genealogy of paranormal inquiry. However, casual readers seeking entertaining ghost stories or practical spiritual guidance will likely find this work too dry and scholarly. It lacks narrative flair, prioritizing archival depth over accessibility. Those expecting a light read on mediumship may feel overwhelmed by the academic tone and the sheer volume of intellectual context required to fully grasp the significance of these historical intersections.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Scholars, historians of science, and enthusiasts of esoteric traditions will find immense value in this meticulously compiled collection. It offers a rare glimpse into the primary sources that defined the era's fringe intellectual movements. By tracing the trajectory from early mesmerism to the decline of psychical research, the book provides a panoramic view of how these ideas challenged conventional thought. Readers seeking to understand the hidden narratives connecting medicine and spiritual belief will appreciate the systematic exploration of phenomena that shaped modern understanding of consciousness and the occult.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're fascinated by the history of ideas, the evolution of spiritual thought, or the interplay between science and the inexplicable, this collection is essential. Perfect for those curious about the precursors to modern psychology and the human quest for meaning.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

McCorristine delivers a rigorous academic examination of the overlap between science and spirituality in the nineteenth century. The text is dense with historical analysis, making it an essential resource for those studying the genealogy of paranormal inquiry. However, casual readers seeking entertaining ghost stories or practical spiritual guidance will likely find this work too dry and scholarly. It lacks narrative flair, prioritizing archival depth over accessibility. Those expecting a light read on mediumship may feel overwhelmed by the academic tone and the sheer volume of intellectual context required to fully grasp the significance of these historical intersections.

❓ Frequently asked questions

This volume is primarily a curated collection of rare primary source materials, meticulously re-set. While McCorristine provides the framework, the bulk of the content allows you to engage directly with the original texts from the period, offering raw insight.

No, while spiritualism is a significant component, the collection broadly covers "dark areas" between science, medicine, and religion. It begins with mesmerism and extends through various forms of psychical research, showing their interconnectedness.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Victorian Occult Crossroads

Explore the intricate dance between burgeoning scientific method, established religious dogma, and emerging spiritualist practices in the Victorian era. The book illuminates how figures navigated these often-conflicting paradigms, seeking understanding in the liminal spaces between the material and the spiritual, the observable and the inexplicable.

Psychical Research's Trajectory

Witness the rise and eventual decline of organized efforts to scientifically investigate paranormal phenomena, specifically the Society for Psychical Research. This collection examines the methodologies, controversies, and key figures involved in attempting to legitimize experiences that defied easy explanation, charting its journey from fervent hope to eventual skepticism.

📜 Historical context

This volume contextualizes the fervent intellectual and spiritual explorations of the 19th and early 20th centuries, a period marked by rapid scientific advancement alongside a growing hunger for transcendent experience. It shows how figures struggled to reconcile new discoveries with traditional beliefs, often turning to mesmeric and spiritualist phenomena as bridges between the known and unknown.

📚 Glossary

Mesmerism
Spiritualism
Society for Psychical Research (SPR)

📔 Questions to reflect on

How did the scientific and religious landscapes of the 19th century create fertile ground for the rise of spiritualism and mesmerism?
What parallels can you draw between the Victorian fascination with the occult and contemporary interests in alternative medicine or consciousness studies?
Consider the ethical dilemmas faced by early psychical researchers attempting to legitimize phenomena that defied conventional explanation.