Product Description
The first English language translation of the Manual espírita, the secret book by Francisco I. Madero, leader of Mexico's 1910 Revolution and President of Mexico from 1911- 1913. Translated by award-winning writer C.M. Mayo. Includes translator's notes and bibliographies on Francisco I. Madero and the Mexican Revolution as well as on metaphysical works and history.
Apart from its extraordinary content, and the fact that Madero's Spiritist Manual is one of the earliest Spanish language manifestos of this new religion, what stands out about this work is that it was prepared precisely during the period when Madero's political career was rocketing to its apex: he was campaigning throughout the country for the Mexican presidency, then fighting the Mexican Revolution both in Mexico and, variously, from exile in Texas and New Orleans; and then, running again for the presidency-- which, later in 1911, he was to win.
As Mexican historians Enrique Krauze, Yolia Tortolero, Alejandro Rosas and Manuel Guerra, among others, have emphasized, Madero's Spiritism undergirded his political philosophy and actions as candidate for the presidency, as leader of the Revolution, and as President, many of which were incomprehensible to and/or misinterpreted by both his supporters and his adversaries. For this reason, the Spiritist Manual is a fundamentally important work for anyone who would study Madero and the Mexican Revolution.
It is also a vital work in the history of both Spiritism itself and modern gnosticism. Whatever one's personal beliefs may be, it would be intellectually naïve to dismiss Madero's Spiritism as mere superstition, as most people who first hear of it and indeed, many of his biographers, do. Spiritism emerged in a context of the mid- to late 19th century's far-reaching scientific experimentation; moreover, it has its place alongside other religions that emerged in the same century, among them, Christian Science, Mormonism, Spiritualism, and Theosophy.
The original work is in the public domain; however the translation is (c) 2011 by C.M. Mayo
From the Author
It really was an honor and a strange journey to translate this most unusual book. I came upon it in the Francisco I. Madero Archive in Mexico City's National Palace. Did Madero, aka "Bhima," really write this? Yes indeed, and Mexican historians, including Enrique Krauze, Yolia Tortolero, and Manuel Guerra, among others, have written about it, and how Madero's Spiritism is fundamental to understanding his meteoric political career-- and catastrophic end.
My intention in translating the Spiritist Manual is not to convince anyone of the validity or invalidity of Spiritism but rather, to simply provide an English translation of a work I believe is fundamental for understanding Francisco I. Madero and, therefore, the Mexican Revolution of 1910 and Madero's Presidency, including its brutally abrupt end in 1913.
On my webpage I offer Q & A about this book, as well as many resources for researchers, including bibliographies, lists of films, podcasts, and more.
My intention in translating the Spiritist Manual is not to convince anyone of the validity or invalidity of Spiritism but rather, to simply provide an English translation of a work I believe is fundamental for understanding Francisco I. Madero and, therefore, the Mexican Revolution of 1910 and Madero's Presidency, including its brutally abrupt end in 1913.
On my webpage I offer Q & A about this book, as well as many resources for researchers, including bibliographies, lists of films, podcasts, and more.
