THE ENCHANTED BOUNDARY - BEING A SURVEY OF NEGATIVE REACTIONS TO CLAIMS OF PSYCHIC PHENOMENA (1820-1930)
Book Details + Condition: Boston Society For Psychic Research (Boston). Very scarce First Edition, 1930. Hardcover. 344 pages with Index. The book explores the skepticism and criticism that surrounded the rise of Spiritualism and other paranormal beliefs during the era. Author Walter Franklin Prince examines the arguments against psychic phenomena, the role of fraud and deception, and the potential for psychological and physiological explanations. He explores the social and cultural factors that shaped attitudes towards psychic phenomena, such as the influence of religion, science, and popular culture. Through a careful analysis of historical documents and personal accounts, the book provides a fascinating glimpse into the debates and controversies surrounding the supernatural in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Chapters include:
- Is Psychical Research Worthwhile?
- Some Sample Explanations: An Attempt to Explain Away Telepathy
- Houdini and Doyle
- Psychical Versus Visceral Hallucinations
- Belief in Psychic Events the Result of Pathological States
- The Argument From Negatived "Premonitions"
- Psychic (?) Incidents Explained
- Then Why Has it Not Happened to Me?
- And much more!
A firm and clean copy of a very scarce first edition, with light wear to boards, including some discoloration; darkened spine; chafed spine ends (with some fraying to top); rubbed corners and edges; small inked red spots to text block (which does not affect the text); bookplate to inside front board, with inked name to ffep; interior is clean and free of markings.
