Revelations of a Spirit Medium

by Harry Price, Eric J. Dingwall

1922. Facsimile edition with notes, bibliography, glossary and index. No mere knowledge of magical s....

394 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1891

About the author

Harry Price was a British psychic researcher and author, who gained public prominence for his investigations into psychical phenomena and his exposing fraudulent spiritualist mediums. He is best known for his well-publicized investigation of the purportedly haunted Borley Rectory in Essex, England.

Reviews

[Mary]

Good read

[Virginia]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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.

[txncupcake]

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.

[Melenia]

DNF

[Steven H]

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."

[Gregg]

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.

[Casey]

could have used more descriptions of how the tricks work and less rants from the author about how he hates women

[A. Datta]

No other book provides so much inside information about the methods employed by spirit mediums. It also reveals how magicians perform their tricks.