| Ronald Pearsall investigates the colourful history of
Spiritualism, concentrating particularly on the Victorian enthusiasm for
séances, table-turning and communication with the dead. Examining celebrated
mediums, extraordinary claims, public demonstrations and notorious exposures,
he reveals a world of credulity, theatrical performance and occasional
deliberate deception. Pearsall approaches the subject critically, exploring
how Spiritualism captured the public imagination while providing
opportunities for tricksters and fraudulent practitioners. A fascinating
social history of Victorian beliefs and entertainments, offering a sceptical
counterpoint to more sympathetic accounts of mediumship |