The Spirits' Book (Cosimo Classics Sacred Texts) - Softcover

Allan Kardec

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1596053135 ISBN 13: 9781596053137

Publisher: Cosimo Classics, 2006

Synopsis

When two "grave and serious" spirits began speaking to a French academic through two young mediums and "completely revolutionized [his] ideas and convictions," Allan Kardec decided to set down these spiritualistic revelations. The result electrified the high society of the mid 19th century, which was already fascinated by "spirit tapping" and other paranormalities, and earned Kardec-a pseudonym his spirits commanded him to use-a place in this history of the paranormal as the father of spiritism. Kardec "interviews" the spirits, asking more than 1000 questions about morality, the nature of the soul, the history of humanity, and more, including: . "Is the soul reincarnated immediately after its separation from the body?" . "Does the spirit remember his corporeal existence?" . "Could two beings, who have already known and loved each other, meet again and recognise one another, in another corporeal existence?" . "What is to be thought of the signification attributed to dreams?" . "Are good and evil absolute for all men?" . "What is the aim of God in visiting mankind with destructive calamities?" . "Is it possible for man to enjoy perfect happiness upon the earth?" Promising nothing less than the secret of the destiny of the human race, this extraordinary book, first published in 1856, is as curious today as it was a century and a half ago. French scholar HIPPOLYTE LEON DENIZARD RIVAIL (1804-1869), aka Allan Kardec, was a longtime teacher of mathematics, astronomy, and other scientific disciplines before turning to the paranormal. He founded the Parisian Society of Psychologic Studies, and founded and edited the monthly magazine La Revue Spirite, Journal of Psychologic Studies. He is also the author of The Gospel as Explained by Spirits (1864).

About this title

From the Publisher:

The Spirits' Book contains the basic tenets of the Spiritist Doctrine. Organized in the form of questions and answers, it presents a rich collection of dialogues between Allan Kardec and the spirit-instructors. The dialogues cover a broad area of human thought and spirituality. Translated into more than 45 languages, The Spirits' Book is a classic of the spiritual literature.

From the Author:

A. Bomfim (Translator - Modern English Edition) Truly fundamental ideas, such as the ones presented here, are supposed to withstand the test of time. A language, however, is as dynamic as the people who use it, and the expressions that give live and relevance to an idea in one era tend to lose currency in the next. To continue relying on the century-old, first English edition by Anna Blackwell, would be a grave injustice--to modern readers of the work, to Kardec's impeccable reasoning, and to the guide's illuminating insights.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cosimo Classics
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1596053135
• ISBN 13: 9781596053137
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 424