Attitudes towards psychical research have changed considerably with the passage of time, as these books demonstrate.  In terms of policy, to take just one aspect, there has been a pronounced growth of secularism with diminished belief in an afterlife, perhaps reflected in the growth of cremation as an alternative to former funeral practices. Is this, scholars ask, significant for political attitudes? One argument is that diminished belief in conventional religious beliefs results in more emphasis on social action as the present life is seen as unique, without any prospect of future recompense. 

Spiritualism: A Popular History from 1847

by Joseph Martin McCabe Purchase Joseph Martin McCabe was born on November 12, 1867. At the age of 15 he began training in the Franciscan order, and in 1890 was ordained. He was praised for his excellent scholarly…Read more Spiritualism: A Popular History from 1847

Occultists and Mystics of All Ages

by Ralph Shirley Purchase Ralph Shirley was born on December 30, 1865 into the aristocracy. As a result, he enjoyed the trappings of wealth, and was educated at Oxford University. He went on to become the director of…Read more Occultists and Mystics of All Ages

Psychic Tendencies of To-day: An Exposition and Critique of New Thought, Christian Science, Spiritualism, Psychical Research (Sir Oliver Lodge), and Modern Materialism in Relation to Immortality

by Alfred Wilhelm Martin Purchase Author Alfred Wilhelm Martin (1862-1932) was a Unitarian minister, and led the Ethical Culture Society, which was centered on the concepts of morality being independent of theology, and that industrialization and modernization presented…Read more Psychic Tendencies of To-day: An Exposition and Critique of New Thought, Christian Science, Spiritualism, Psychical Research (Sir Oliver Lodge), and Modern Materialism in Relation to Immortality

Mesmerism and Christian Science: A Short History of Mental Healing

by Frank Podmore Purchase Frank Podmore was born on February 5, 1856 and died by drowning on August 14, 1910. During his life, he focused on two major projects. One was advancing socialism in Britain, and to support…Read more Mesmerism and Christian Science: A Short History of Mental Healing

Hypnotism, and Magnetism, Mesmerism, Suggestive Therapeutics and Magnetic Healing

by L. W. de Laurence Purchase Perhaps appropriately, L. W. de Laurence was born on Halloween in 1868 in Cleveland, Ohio. He went on to develop the major occult publishing firm, De Laurence, Scott & Co. operating out…Read more Hypnotism, and Magnetism, Mesmerism, Suggestive Therapeutics and Magnetic Healing

Psychic Phenomena: A Brief Account of the Physical Manifestations Observed in Psychical Research

by Edward T. Bennett, Introduction by Sir Oliver Joseph Lodge Purchase through Amazon Edward Trusted Bennett was born on July 1, 1831 in London. He was trained as a botanist, as was his younger brother, Alfred William Bennett.…Read more Psychic Phenomena: A Brief Account of the Physical Manifestations Observed in Psychical Research

From Incarnation to Re-Incarnation

by Richard Ingalese and Isabella Ingalese Purchase through Amazon Richard and Isabella Ingalese were a husband and wife team deeply interested in all matters of what is often considered to be the occult. We know that the pair…Read more From Incarnation to Re-Incarnation

The ABC of Palmistry: Character and Fortune Revealed

by Well Known Palmist Purchase through Amazon  Palmistry is the study of the palm in order to foretell the future, or sometimes to determine the character or history of a person. It is practiced around the world, with…Read more The ABC of Palmistry: Character and Fortune Revealed

The Story of Alchemy and the Beginnings of Chemistry

by M. M. Pattison Muir Purchase Matthew Moncrieff Pattison Muir was born into a wealthy Scottish family on April 1, 1848 in Glasgow. He was encouraged through his upbringing in an interest in the natural sciences, and focused…Read more The Story of Alchemy and the Beginnings of Chemistry

The Occult World: Teachings of Occult Philosophy

by A. P. Sinnett Purchase through Amazon Alfred Percy Sinnett (1840-1921), a journalist and Theosophist, wrote frequently to members of the Brotherhood of Adepts, an occult organization. The famous Mahatmas Koot Hoomi and Morya corresponded via mail with…Read more The Occult World: Teachings of Occult Philosophy

The Occult Arts: An Examination of the Claims Made for the Existence of Supernormal Powers

by J. W. Frings Purchase through Amazon  J.W. Fring opens by noting he is skeptical of any claims of the supernatural. He defines supernatural broadly, and dedicates chapters to a variety of manifestations, including alchemy, telepathy, palmistry, and hypnotism.…Read more The Occult Arts: An Examination of the Claims Made for the Existence of Supernormal Powers

The Mysteries of the Head and Heart Explained: A Look at Phrenology and Mesmerism

by J. Stanley Grimes Purchase through Amazon  James Stanley Grimes was born in Boston on May 10, 1807. Although he wrote a tremendous amount, little is known about him personally. He married Frances Warner in 1832, but never…Read more The Mysteries of the Head and Heart Explained: A Look at Phrenology and Mesmerism

Dr. John Dee: Elizabethan Mystic and Astrologer

by G. M. Hort Purchase through Amazon  This volume illustrates that, while as the saying goes, history is written by the winners, or at least predominantly by the successful, there is much to learn from the initially less…Read more Dr. John Dee: Elizabethan Mystic and Astrologer

Vampires and Vampirism: Collected Stories from Around the World

by Dudley Wright Purchase through Amazon  Dudley Wright’s fascinating work offers an academic treatment of the history of vampires. He traces the legend of vampires through history and around the world, making stops at Hungary, Britain, Russia, and…Read more Vampires and Vampirism: Collected Stories from Around the World