The Newer Spiritualism

Name: The Newer Spiritualism
Price: 35.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Podmore, Frank
ISBN: 9781017341980

✍️ Podmore, Frank

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unearth the compelling, often skeptical, history of Spiritualism's enduring mysteries.

Frank Podmore, a discerning voice from the early Society for Psychical Research, delivers a foundational analysis of what constituted "new" Spiritualism at the turn of the 20th century. This work meticulously documents the phenomena, personalities, and evolving beliefs that captivated an era. It’s not merely a chronicle, but a critical examination, seeking to understand the psychological and sociological currents that propelled the movement, while rigorously investigating its claims of communication with the departed and other psychic manifestations. Essential reading for those seeking a scholarly perspective on a vibrant, yet often misunderstood, historical phenomenon.

Key themes

{'title': 'Historical Psychic Phenomena', 'body': 'Podmore delves into a rich tapestry of historical accounts concerning psychic events, from mediumistic trances to purported apparitions. His approach is less about belief and more about diligent documentation, offering a panoramic view of the types of phenomena reported and the societal context in which they emerged, often seeking naturalistic explanations.'} {'title': 'Skepticism and Inquiry', 'body': 'As a prominent member of the Society for Psychical Research, Podmore brings a crucial, investigative lens to the study of Spiritualism. This book exemplifies an early attempt to apply a scientific rigor to paranormal claims, questioning the validity of evidence and exploring potential fraud or misinterpretation, rather than simply accepting spiritualistic assertions at face value.'} {'title': 'Societal Impact of Spiritualism', 'body': "Beyond the phenomena themselves, Podmore examines Spiritualism's profound influence on Victorian and Edwardian society. He explores how this movement offered solace, challenged scientific orthodoxy, and reflected deeper cultural anxieties and desires, positioning it as a significant social and philosophical force during its peak."}

🏛 Legare Street Press 📅 2022 📖 320 pages 📔 Hardcover 📐 Hardcover ISBN: 9781017341980

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Fun fact

Podmore’s 'The Newer Spiritualism' is an indispensable resource for anyone serious about the history of psychical research. It meticulously charts the rise and scrutiny of Spiritualism with a balanced, critical eye, rather than sensationalism. While it might disappoint those seeking a purely devotional or uncritical account of the paranormal, it excels as a scholarly, historical document. Its place is firm among the foundational texts of psychical studies, offering invaluable insight into an era grappling with the unseen.

📝 Description: The Newer Spiritualism

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

⭐ Reader reviews

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⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.7/5

★★★★★

If you're fascinated by the intersection of history, psychology, and the paranormal, and appreciate a discerning, scholarly examination rather than mere credulity, this book is for you. It's a cornerstone text for understanding the origins of psychical research.

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❓ Frequently asked questions

No, Podmore approaches the subject with a critical and investigative eye, characteristic of early psychical researchers. While he documents phenomena, his aim is often to explain them rationally or to highlight the difficulties in proving their authenticity.

While groundbreaking for its time in attempting a methodical approach, the scientific methods presented reflect early 20th-century understanding. It's a historical document of scientific inquiry into the paranormal, not a contemporary scientific treatise.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Historical Psychic Phenomena

Podmore delves into a rich tapestry of historical accounts concerning psychic events, from mediumistic trances to purported apparitions. His approach is less about belief and more about diligent documentation, offering a panoramic view of the types of phenomena reported and the societal context in which they emerged, often seeking naturalistic explanations.

Skepticism and Inquiry

As a prominent member of the Society for Psychical Research, Podmore brings a crucial, investigative lens to the study of Spiritualism. This book exemplifies an early attempt to apply a scientific rigor to paranormal claims, questioning the validity of evidence and exploring potential fraud or misinterpretation, rather than simply accepting spiritualistic assertions at face value.

Societal Impact of Spiritualism

Beyond the phenomena themselves, Podmore examines Spiritualism's profound influence on Victorian and Edwardian society. He explores how this movement offered solace, challenged scientific orthodoxy, and reflected deeper cultural anxieties and desires, positioning it as a significant social and philosophical force during its peak.

💬 Quotes from the book

«The belief in the continued existence of the individual after death, and in the possibility of communication with the disembodied spirit, is perhaps the oldest and most widely diffused of all religious conceptions.»

«It is characteristic of all alleged psychic occurrences that they are apt to vanish or become confused when subjected to precise scrutiny.»

📜 Historical context

Published in an era when Spiritualism was a cultural phenomenon and psychical research was emerging as a serious academic pursuit, Podmore's work stands as a critical benchmark. It provides a contemporary, yet analytical, perspective on the movement's evolution, bridging the gap between anecdotal accounts and the nascent scientific method applied to the inexplicable. It remains a key text for understanding early psychical studies.

📚 Glossary

Spiritualism
Psychical Research
Mediumship

📔 Questions to reflect on

{'question': "How do Podmore's early 20th-century investigative techniques compare to modern scientific approaches to anomalous phenomena?"}
{'question': 'Reflect on how societal beliefs and anxieties might have contributed to the widespread appeal of Spiritualism during its heyday.'}
{'question': 'Consider the ethical challenges and responsibilities involved in investigating claims of psychic ability or communication with the dead.'}