The Mediums' Book
Allan Kardec 1861
This practical guide presents Spiritist beliefs about mediums and communication with spirits. Its discussions range from turning tables to warnings about spirits said to impersonate famous people.
480 pages 9h 19m reading time
- One of the two core books of Spiritism, the religious movement Kardec founded, second only to his earlier The Spirits' Book.
- Argues that contact with spirits follows natural laws that can be studied with care, much like a science, rather than being magic or a miracle.
- Teaches that messages from spirits must be judged by their moral content and good sense, because spirits are as varied in wisdom and honesty as living people.
- Became a standard training manual in Spiritist centers, shaping how mediums there are taught and how their sessions are run to this day.
- Helped Spiritism grow into a lasting religious movement, especially in Brazil, where millions of people identify as Spiritists.
Burned in a public square
In 1861, the Bishop of Barcelona had hundreds of Spiritist books burned, reportedly including this one.
Checked by spirits, Kardec said
Kardec said spirits speaking through mediums had reviewed the text, and the title page credits them with its teachings.
Replaced an earlier guide
It grew out of a shorter 1858 handbook on spirit contact, and took its place once that handbook went out of print.
Revised within months
Kardec soon put out a heavily reworked edition, and that version became the standard text.
Translated from French by Emma A. Wood 1874
From the 1874 Colby and Rich edition
