-59%

📖 Have you read this book?

Your review can inspire others to read it

🕊️ Spiritualism −59%

The Newer Spiritualism

Name: The Newer Spiritualism
Price: 35.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781498028967

✍️ Podmore, Frank

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$35.95 ~~$88.00~~ Save $52.05 (59%)

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A 1910 critical history of spiritualism and psychic phenomena by Frank Podmore.

This reprint of Frank Podmore’s 1910 work examines the spiritualist movement through a skeptical historical lens. The book analyzes the cultural context of late Victorian occultism, focusing on the rise of mediums and the public’s engagement with psychic claims. It covers subjects such as near-death experiences and general spiritualism, providing a detailed look at how these phenomena were perceived and debated during that period. The text functions as a literary collection that documents the intellectual climate surrounding the supernatural in the early twentieth century. Readers will find a structured critique of the era’s occult trends rather than a guide to modern esoteric practice.

Key Themes

psychic phenomena near-death experience general spiritualism

Literary Context

This book originates from the 1910 edition, placing it firmly in the early twentieth century when spiritualism was a major cultural force. It reflects the intellectual debates of that specific period regarding the validity of occult claims and the intersection of psychology with supernatural beliefs.

Podmore, Frank

📚 all books by this author (13) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Arthur Conan Doyle · William James · Houdini · The Society for Psychical Research

🕊️

Spiritualism

🏛 Literary Licensing, LLC 📅 2014 📖 320 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781498028967

Fun Fact

Podmore's 'The Newer Spiritualism' offers an indispensable, academically rigorous look at a captivating historical movement. It excels in its meticulous documentation and critical analysis, providing a much-needed counterpoint to purely credulous accounts. Readers seeking devotional texts or easy answers about the supernatural will be disappointed, as Podmore prioritizes investigation over affirmation. This book is a foundational text within the history of parapsychology and the study of belief systems, essential for understanding the intellectual landscape of early 20th-century occultism.

📝 Description: The Newer Spiritualism

Frank Podmore’s The Newer Spiritualism offers a critical examination of late nineteenth-century spiritualist practices and their psychological underpinnings. Published originally in 1910, this Literary Licensing LLC reprint provides American readers with direct access to early skeptical inquiry into the occult phenomena that captivated Victorian society. The text addresses subjects including psychic phenomena, near-death experiences, and general spiritualism through a lens of historical analysis rather than mystical endorsement. The work is organized as a literary collection that dissects the traditions of the era. Podmore, recognized here for his authorship of this seminal 1910 edition, structures the narrative to evaluate the claims made by spiritualists of his time. He draws upon the specific cultural period surrounding the turn of the century to contextualize the rise of mediums and the public’s fascination with the supernatural. The book serves as a historical document that records the debates and observations of that specific moment in occult history. This volume suits readers interested in the history of general spiritualism and the intellectual response to psychic phenomena during the early twentieth century. It is particularly relevant for those studying the intersection of mind, body, and spirit concepts within a historical framework. However, it may not satisfy seekers looking for practical guidance on contemporary witchcraft or astrology, as its focus remains strictly on the historical analysis of spiritualist claims from 1910. The text stands as a record of that specific era’s discourse.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

This reissued edition presents a seminal treatise that demands attention from serious students of esoteric history. While Podmore’s skeptical approach is intellectually stimulating for those craving analytical depth, it may disappoint readers expecting validation of spiritualist beliefs or engaging narratives of supernatural wonder. The text is dense with scrutiny rather than warmth, making it unsuitable for casual enthusiasts or devout practitioners seeking comfort in the afterlife. However, for those willing to engage with a rigorous examination of mediumship and telepathy through a critical lens, it remains an indispensable cornerstone of scholarly discourse on the subject.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a rigorous, scholarly perspective on the spiritualist movement will find immense value in this text. It is ideal for those who wish to understand the historical and psychological drivers behind the early 20th-century obsession with the unseen, rather than accepting supernatural claims at face value. Podmore’s discerning eye provides an invaluable resource for disentangling fact from fervor, making it essential for historians of religion, skeptics, and anyone interested in the cultural history of the paranormal. It offers clarity to those weary of uncritical devotion, delivering a thorough lens through which to view spectral history.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you’re a serious student of occult history, a skeptic curious about the roots of psychic claims, or simply fascinated by the interplay of belief and evidence, this book is essential. It offers a clear, academic lens on phenomena often shrouded in mystery.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

This reissued edition presents a seminal treatise that demands attention from serious students of esoteric history. While Podmore’s skeptical approach is intellectually stimulating for those craving analytical depth, it may disappoint readers expecting validation of spiritualist beliefs or engaging narratives of supernatural wonder. The text is dense with scrutiny rather than warmth, making it unsuitable for casual enthusiasts or devout practitioners seeking comfort in the afterlife. However, for those willing to engage with a rigorous examination of mediumship and telepathy through a critical lens, it remains an indispensable cornerstone of scholarly discourse on the subject.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, Podmore’s work offers a critical and historical examination rather than an endorsement. He meticulously scrutinizes claims and evidence, often from a skeptical perspective, seeking rational explanations for reported phenomena.

The book primarily focuses on the spiritualist movement from its inception in the mid-19th century through the early 20th century, culminating around its original publication date of 1910.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Investigating Psychic Phenomena

Podmore meticulously dissects claims of clairvoyance, telepathy, and mediumship, analyzing the methodologies used to "prove" such occurrences. He often highlights the human elements of perception, suggestibility, and outright deception, offering a nuanced view of events that captivated the public imagination during spiritualism's peak.

Historical Arc of Spiritualism

The book traces the development of spiritualism from its origins, charting its cultural impact and the prominent figures involved. It contextualizes the movement within the social and scientific thought of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, demonstrating how beliefs evolve and are challenged by emerging paradigms over time.

Skepticism and Belief

Podmore maintains a consistently critical stance, seeking rational explanations for phenomena often attributed to the supernatural. He champions empirical observation and logical deduction, yet acknowledges the profound human need for connection and meaning that spiritualism sought to fulfill, balancing critique with understanding of human experience.

📜 Historical context

Published in 1910, Podmore's work stands as a pivotal critique during a period when spiritualism was still a potent cultural force, yet increasingly under scientific scrutiny. It bridges the late Victorian fascination with the unseen and the burgeoning psychological and parapsychological investigations of the early 20th century, offering a foundational historical counterpoint to uncritical belief.

📚 Glossary

Spiritualism
Psychic Phenomena
Mediumship

📔 Questions to reflect on

How do you personally balance skepticism with an openness to phenomena that defy conventional explanation?
Consider a belief or movement from history you find fascinating. How might Podmore's critical approach be applied to understanding its rise and decline?
In an age of readily available information, what new challenges or opportunities exist for the study of psychic phenomena compared to Podmore's time?