What do you think?
Revelations of a Spirit Medium
This Amazon Kindle eBook is a carefully put together near-exact reproduction of the original edition of the title published in 1891 to expose spiritist frauds. This edition excludes all editorial comments, notes and noises that had come to be associated with some editions for nearly a century. In consequence the author's voice can be heard crystal clear once again. It does not assume or attribute authorship to any specific person or persons based on surmise but acknowledges that the book was anonymously written.
The author exposes the methods employed by "mediums" like himself to defraud trusting human beings and avows his retirement from the vocation. While Harry Houdini was careful not to reveal many secrets he knew, this author tells all. In doing so he not only upsets the miserable work of many a charlatan, he also details the methods employed by honest prestidigitators.
The author wrote that he would probably bring down on his head the curses of many hundreds of "mediums", for, if this work were very widely read, there would be few "mediums" save the lecturers who could do business, with any degree of safety from exposure.
But in fact, when this book was first published in 1891, in print, spiritists and fraudulent mediums burnt every single copy of it they thought existed and went as far as to destroy the printing plates. They did fail to annihilate it though and copies resurfaced years after the book was branded "lost". Now that it has been carefully digitized and reillustrated it is hoped that the title will gain immortality as well as educate and entertain.
The author does not wish to be understood as maintaining that there is nothing in spiritualism. Do not despair, he writes, for you will find in the chaff that is so plentiful some good grains. That one does not find it does not signify none ever will. And that this book should not stop anyone from investigating spiritualism, but they should continue their investigations with the book in a convenient pocket. He merely hopes that he has so fully explained the tricks employed by the frauds that they will find it a hard matter to capture your silver, and if you are ever "nailed to the cross" as they called it behind the backs of their dupes, it would be through means other than those used by the gentry treated of.
He phantasizes that he will live again and if he live again he is sure others will, and it is probable that he will meet the friends that have preceded him, and it is more than likely he will be able to see and visit his friends on earth. But if he can return to earth and visit those he loved, he is positive he will NOT do so by performing feats with heated lamp chimneys, or by controlling a lecturer and attempting to deliver an impressive oration in the language of a coal heaver. He would not attempt to return through a "medium" through whom a sixty-eight-year-old Indian "control" converses to an audience like a prattling child. Nor does he believe that he or any other spirit can or would return through the organism of any other depraved arbiter.
It is not at all probable, either, that he would go into the business of materializing lace for entertainment at a dollar a head, although he is familiar with the methods employed in that manifestation. No religion so satisfactory nor so reasonable and just in its teachings, to the writer's best understanding, but his own career and the fact that he met no professional "medium", male or female, in his long experience and extensive travels, who were not "crooked", leads him to conclude that from the professional you are to expect nothing of any value whatsoever. He urges the reader to investigate spiritualism for it will do no harm, but not through the professional "medium". He cautions against setting out with the intention of getting rich in worldly goods through their aid, attempting to find buried treasures, pots of gold, mines of silver or in fact anything one can better attend to personally …
The author exposes the methods employed by "mediums" like himself to defraud trusting human beings and avows his retirement from the vocation. While Harry Houdini was careful not to reveal many secrets he knew, this author tells all. In doing so he not only upsets the miserable work of many a charlatan, he also details the methods employed by honest prestidigitators.
The author wrote that he would probably bring down on his head the curses of many hundreds of "mediums", for, if this work were very widely read, there would be few "mediums" save the lecturers who could do business, with any degree of safety from exposure.
But in fact, when this book was first published in 1891, in print, spiritists and fraudulent mediums burnt every single copy of it they thought existed and went as far as to destroy the printing plates. They did fail to annihilate it though and copies resurfaced years after the book was branded "lost". Now that it has been carefully digitized and reillustrated it is hoped that the title will gain immortality as well as educate and entertain.
The author does not wish to be understood as maintaining that there is nothing in spiritualism. Do not despair, he writes, for you will find in the chaff that is so plentiful some good grains. That one does not find it does not signify none ever will. And that this book should not stop anyone from investigating spiritualism, but they should continue their investigations with the book in a convenient pocket. He merely hopes that he has so fully explained the tricks employed by the frauds that they will find it a hard matter to capture your silver, and if you are ever "nailed to the cross" as they called it behind the backs of their dupes, it would be through means other than those used by the gentry treated of.
He phantasizes that he will live again and if he live again he is sure others will, and it is probable that he will meet the friends that have preceded him, and it is more than likely he will be able to see and visit his friends on earth. But if he can return to earth and visit those he loved, he is positive he will NOT do so by performing feats with heated lamp chimneys, or by controlling a lecturer and attempting to deliver an impressive oration in the language of a coal heaver. He would not attempt to return through a "medium" through whom a sixty-eight-year-old Indian "control" converses to an audience like a prattling child. Nor does he believe that he or any other spirit can or would return through the organism of any other depraved arbiter.
It is not at all probable, either, that he would go into the business of materializing lace for entertainment at a dollar a head, although he is familiar with the methods employed in that manifestation. No religion so satisfactory nor so reasonable and just in its teachings, to the writer's best understanding, but his own career and the fact that he met no professional "medium", male or female, in his long experience and extensive travels, who were not "crooked", leads him to conclude that from the professional you are to expect nothing of any value whatsoever. He urges the reader to investigate spiritualism for it will do no harm, but not through the professional "medium". He cautions against setting out with the intention of getting rich in worldly goods through their aid, attempting to find buried treasures, pots of gold, mines of silver or in fact anything one can better attend to personally …
Paperback
First published January 1, 1891
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 28, 2021
Good read
March 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Revelations of a Spirit Medium offers a serene and enlightening exploration of mindfulness, energy, and self-discovery. With practical guidance and spiritual wisdom, it’s a perfect read for anyone looking to deepen their practice, enhance their well-being, and connect with their inner self.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Revelations of a Spirit Medium offers a serene and enlightening exploration of mindfulness, energy, and self-discovery. With practical guidance and spiritual wisdom, it’s a perfect read for anyone looking to deepen their practice, enhance their well-being, and connect with their inner self.
January 23, 2022
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway. It was about how seances were fraudulently conducted. It broke down the ways on how attendees were tricked but in a very detached manner. I started this book with such an excited demeanor, but those feelings quickly dissipated into sheer boredom.
August 16, 2024
A FAMOUS 19TH CENTURY "CONFESSION" BY A FRAUDULENT MEDIUM
Harry Price (1881-1948) was a British psychic researcher and author, who wrote other books such as 'Fifty Years of Psychical Research,' 'The Most Haunted House in England: Ten Years' Investigation of Borley Rectory,' 'The End Of Borley Rectory,' etc. Eric John Dingwall (1890-1986) was an anthropologist and one of the most experienced psychical investigators of modern times.
This book was first published anonymously in 1891, then reprinted in 1922. Price/Dingwall note in their Preface to the 1922 edition, "The stir in the spiritualistic [world] which accompanied the publication of this book will be easily understood ... In 1891, when it was first published, fraudulent mediumship had attained such a vogue which it would be difficult to over-estimate. The class of so-called physical phenomena of which the book treats has always been more popular amongst public mediums in the United States than in this country [Britain]... The present great increase of interest in psychic phenomena will probably result in the production of spurious physical phenomena by the less honest mediums, and it is with this thought that we have decided to reprint [the book]... In conclusion we would remind the reader that no mere knowledge of magical secrets will ever guarantee him from being deceived by fraudulent mediums."
The author states, "Nearly all 'mediums' are, in reality, Materialists, Atheists or Agnostics. The writer was a Materialist of the most pronounced type. He did not BELIEVE anything... hence there was no excuse to take ANYTHING on faith..." (Pg. 7-8) He admits, "in some cases he was not very proud of the quality of the inspiration he had developed. He was proud of no part of it, save the financial consideration which reposed in his wallet." (Pg. 95)
He recalls, "Oh, for some ABSOLUTE proof of a future existence, if there is one. The writer has furnished positive proof of life everlasting to scores of skeptical minds that the church did not reach. It was very satisfactory proof to them but the writer knew just how much it was worth, and for his own satisfaction it did not fill the bill." (Pg. 151)
He confides, "There are many plans that will bring money, or perhaps the 'sucker' (they are called 'suckers' by the 'mediums') will have some particular 'hobby' regarding Spiritualism that will suggest a scheme. Those plans based on some idea held by your victim are always the best and easiest..." (Pg. 260)
After recounting a typical séance, he observes, "None of your bungling, amateur work here. The work of such a 'medium' is always satisfactory for the reason that if a man feels SURE that the 'medium' is a fraud, he has been so well entertained that he does not regret the money paid for the opportunity to witness it." (Pg. 286)
This book will be of considerable interest to anyone studying the history of Spiritualism."
Harry Price (1881-1948) was a British psychic researcher and author, who wrote other books such as 'Fifty Years of Psychical Research,' 'The Most Haunted House in England: Ten Years' Investigation of Borley Rectory,' 'The End Of Borley Rectory,' etc. Eric John Dingwall (1890-1986) was an anthropologist and one of the most experienced psychical investigators of modern times.
This book was first published anonymously in 1891, then reprinted in 1922. Price/Dingwall note in their Preface to the 1922 edition, "The stir in the spiritualistic [world] which accompanied the publication of this book will be easily understood ... In 1891, when it was first published, fraudulent mediumship had attained such a vogue which it would be difficult to over-estimate. The class of so-called physical phenomena of which the book treats has always been more popular amongst public mediums in the United States than in this country [Britain]... The present great increase of interest in psychic phenomena will probably result in the production of spurious physical phenomena by the less honest mediums, and it is with this thought that we have decided to reprint [the book]... In conclusion we would remind the reader that no mere knowledge of magical secrets will ever guarantee him from being deceived by fraudulent mediums."
The author states, "Nearly all 'mediums' are, in reality, Materialists, Atheists or Agnostics. The writer was a Materialist of the most pronounced type. He did not BELIEVE anything... hence there was no excuse to take ANYTHING on faith..." (Pg. 7-8) He admits, "in some cases he was not very proud of the quality of the inspiration he had developed. He was proud of no part of it, save the financial consideration which reposed in his wallet." (Pg. 95)
He recalls, "Oh, for some ABSOLUTE proof of a future existence, if there is one. The writer has furnished positive proof of life everlasting to scores of skeptical minds that the church did not reach. It was very satisfactory proof to them but the writer knew just how much it was worth, and for his own satisfaction it did not fill the bill." (Pg. 151)
He confides, "There are many plans that will bring money, or perhaps the 'sucker' (they are called 'suckers' by the 'mediums') will have some particular 'hobby' regarding Spiritualism that will suggest a scheme. Those plans based on some idea held by your victim are always the best and easiest..." (Pg. 260)
After recounting a typical séance, he observes, "None of your bungling, amateur work here. The work of such a 'medium' is always satisfactory for the reason that if a man feels SURE that the 'medium' is a fraud, he has been so well entertained that he does not regret the money paid for the opportunity to witness it." (Pg. 286)
This book will be of considerable interest to anyone studying the history of Spiritualism."
February 27, 2015
This was an outstanding addition to my research for my third novel, The Pinkerton Years. In the book, Pidgeon, whose real name we don't know, shares his behind the scenes work and assumptions as a medium in the 19th century. The manipulation of information via a "book," describing various people known to frequent mediums, his description of what really happens in "the spirit closet," where supposed entities "from the other side" handle instruments, chalk boards, etcetera added up to a riveting read.
Look, I don't know what you believe, and I'll be the first person to defend your right to believe it, but Pidgeon's book tell-all caused quite a stir when it was published, leaving one to assume that maybe there are really talented people out there doing the same, but surely some folks are charlatans.
Highly recommended.
Look, I don't know what you believe, and I'll be the first person to defend your right to believe it, but Pidgeon's book tell-all caused quite a stir when it was published, leaving one to assume that maybe there are really talented people out there doing the same, but surely some folks are charlatans.
Highly recommended.
January 5, 2019
could have used more descriptions of how the tricks work and less rants from the author about how he hates women
February 1, 2022
No other book provides so much inside information about the methods employed by spirit mediums. It also reveals how magicians perform their tricks.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews