The Spirits' Book [Paperback]

Allan Kardec (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2, 2006

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).

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: Cosimo Classics (July 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596053135
• ISBN-13: 978-1596053137
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,818 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I've ever read!, December 3, 1999

By 

Erika Kreva (Miami, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spirits' Book (Paperback)

This book was given to me as a gift from a dear friend, and I could never thank her enough for being the one to introduce me to Kardec's work. Growing up with many questions and being afraid of death, his book made sense and gave me all the answers that I was looking for. As a practioner of his doctrine, I truly believe that we're here temporarily to learn and move on to other levels. His teachings about love, respect, compassion and unity shows us that the time has come for the human race to stop with the violence and help one another before it's too late. This book, and many others written by him, have showed me that there's a true meaning for everything on this world, and that we all have free will to change our lives and achieve self-actualization without hurting anyone around us. It is a must read to anyone who's doing soul searching or are seeking answers to their questions. [e-mail]

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Right book, wrong version, October 12, 2007

By 

alivi "aliciavi" (Paris, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Spirits' Book (Hardcover)

Amazon, are you listening? I originally read this book in French and really loved it. It is a wonderful book for those searching for the meaning of life, spiritual truth etc...and is a very serious, credible work by someone whose main line of work was scientific study and medicine, Allan Kardec.

I was so thrilled that I ordered copies in English for friends and was disappointed to find out that this copy is the original English translation dating from the late 1800s!! The book is still worth a read, but why suffer needlessly? The language is difficult, and the typeset is even worse. Great news: a new, modern American English version does exist, and frankly, it is a huge mystery to me as to why it is not being sold here. FYI: I bought my modern copies fon the Allan Kardec Education Society's website...

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guidelines for evolution and for life, November 24, 2005

By 

E. Rossi "spiritbrighton" (Brighton - UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: THE Spirit's Book: The Principles of Spiritist Doctrine (Paperback)

When I read this book for the 1st. time, I didn't stop reading, alll week. After that, I started studying it, because, when I discover that its contain, THE PRINCIPLES OF SPIRITIST DOCTRINE on The Immortality of the soul; the nature of spirits and their relations with men; the moral law; the present life, the future life, and the destiny of the human race, I took it as my guidelines for life. Now I am a Spiritist and we run a Spiritist Group in Brighton - UK, to help people to understand their sufferings and happiness. So This book has answer for all scientific, philosophical and religious questions. Amazing. God bless all -[...]