A fascinating story of spirits and conjurors; skeptics and converts in the second half of nineteenth century America viewed through the lives of Kate and Maggie Fox; the sisters whose purported communication with the dead gave rise to the Spiritualism movement - and whose recanting forty years later is still shrouded in mystery. In March of 1848; Kate and Maggie Fox - sisters aged 11 and 14 - anxiously reported to a neighbor that they had been hearing strange; unidentified sounds in their house. From a sequence of knocks and rattles translated by the young girls as a "voice from beyond;" the Modern Spiritualism movement was born. Talking to the Dead follows the fascinating story of the two girls who were catapulted into an odd limelight after communicating with spirits that March night. Within a few years; tens of thousands of Americans were flocking to seances. An international movement followed. Yet thirty years after those first knocks; the sisters shocked the country by denying they had ever contacted spirits. Shortly after; the sisters once again changed their story and reaffirmed their belief in the spirit world. Weisberg traces not only the lives of the Fox sisters and their family (including their mysterious Svengali-like sister Leah) but also the social; religious; economic and political climates that provided the breeding ground for the movement. While this is a thorough; compelling overview of a potent time in US history; it is also an incredible ghost story. An entertaining read - a story of spirits and conjurors; skeptics and converts - Talking to the Dead is full of emotion and surprise. Yet it will also provoke questions that were being asked in the 19th century; and are still being asked today - how do we know what we know; and how secure are we in our knowledge?
#40963 in Books Weisberg; Barbara 2005-03-29 2005-03-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .76 x 5.31l; .61 #File Name: 006075060X336 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A fascinating look at spiritualism and its originsBy PrincessThis is one of those subjects; as with the twists and turns of the lives of the Fox sisters; that leaves a reader looking for more. A very good and thorough book. Read it!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Insight into the Spirit WorldBy New LebanonThis is a fascinating look at a phenomenon which swept American society in the l9th century; involving many of its leading citizens. By focusing on the Fox sisters; the author offers an up close view of spiritualism and the period.10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. 19th Century Psychic HotlineBy Deestarr1The spiritualist movement of the 19th century was the beginning of America's obsession with the occult. While the psychics; and ghost hunters of today are often looked upon as frauds and con artists the spiritualists of the 19th century were often looked upon as celebrities. They traveled first class on trains and ocean liners; stayed in luxury hotels; and were hailed as proof that the afterlife existed. But; underneath it all they were as much frauds and hacks as the so-called psychics of today. The Fox Sisters were among the most well-known spiritualists of the day and interacted with celebrities such as; Ralph Waldo Emerson; and the members of various scientific societies that also flourished during the same period.Weisberg eloquently writers about both the tragedy; and the fame and fortune experienced by all three Fox sisters. She links the spiritualist movement to many of the other popular movements of the day and uses descriptive language to tell the reader about a time in history when occultism and scientific pursuits existed hand in hand.Overall this book is well written and historically accurate. It is an interesting read for both the amateur and professional historian. There are some minor formatting and grammar issues and in some places there are citations lacking but in general this is a good book.
