Phantasms of the Living

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Phantasms of the Living
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Edmund Gurney
By (author) Frederic William Henry Myers
By (author) Frank Podmore
SeriesCambridge Library Collection - Spiritualism and Esoteric Knowledge
Series part Volume No. Volume 1
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:664
Dimensions(mm): Height 216,Width 140
Category/GenreOccult studies
ISBN/Barcode 9781108027328
ClassificationsDewey:133.91
Audience
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Illustrations 20 Line drawings, unspecified

Publishing Details

Publisher Cambridge University Press
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publication Date 19 May 2011
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

This two-volume work, co-authored by Edmund Gurney (1847-1888), Frederic W. H. Myers (1843-1901) and Frank Podmore (1856-1910), all leading members of the Society for Psychical Research, was first published in 1886. It documents over 700 case studies of ghost-seeing, and aimed to revolutionise thinking about ghosts by proposing a theory that explained ghost-seeing through the idea of telepathy. Volume 1 includes an introduction by Myers and an explanation of the analytical methods used in the study. It then focuses on hypnotism, the telepathic transference of ideas, mental pictures and emotional impressions, dreams, and hallucinations, and contains an impressive essay on the history of witchcraft. This pioneering study is an indispensable source for the history of psychical research. It provides detailed insights into the Victorian fascination with the occult and the supernatural, and is still the most extensive collection of ghost-seeing accounts available.