Talking to the Other Side: A History of Modern Spiritualism and Mediumship: A Study of the Religion, Science, Philosophy and Mediums that Encompass this American-Made Religion [Paperback]

Todd Leonard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 21, 2005

Since its birth in 1848, Spiritualism as a religion, science, and philosophy has experienced great highs and lows. At the center of this purely American-made modern-religious movement are "mediums"--the people who are able to communicate, in some way, with spirit entities that are no longer on the earth plane.

Based on three years of on-site investigation, and a plethora of data and research collected on the modern Spiritualist movement in America, Talking to the Other Side focuses upon the ethno-religious aspects of the religion, mediumship, and the mediums themselves.

The first four chapters offer an expansive review of the history of religion in America, mediumship, and the Spiritualist movement. Chapters 5-7 comprise the research and data that were compiled and analyzed based on fieldwork analysis, a comprehensive questionnaire, personal interviews, and published literature on the topic of Spiritualism and mediumship.

According to Spiritualist mediums, "people don't die, bodies do." Talking to the Other Side offers a contemporary look into the lives and backgrounds of the mediums who bridge this world and the Spirit world, connecting those who have passed over with those they left behind.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Todd Jay Leonard, PhD, holds a doctorate in social science with a specialization in American religious history. He has written fourteen books and has authored numerous academic articles in the areas of history, language, culture, religion, and spirituality. He now calls Hirosaki, Japan home, where he lives, writes, and teaches.

Product Details

• Paperback: 364 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (July 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595363539
• ISBN-13: 978-0595363537
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #372,884 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Readable, informative history and Precepts of Spiritualism, February 4, 2006

By 

L. Kamada (Japan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Talking to the Other Side: A History of Modern Spiritualism and Mediumship: A Study of the Religion, Science, Philosophy and Mediums that Encompass this American-Made Religion (Paperback)

I found this book to be a very readable and informative history of the Spiritualist Movement in USA, something of which I had previously known almost nothing about. I particularly recommend this book for those wanting to know of the history of made-in-America religions, not only Spiritualism. As well, I also recommend this book for those wanting to know more about the precepts of Spiritualism itself, an extremely unique and interesting religion, situated in science that offers an alternative to institutionalized religions which often do not allow for a personal approach to spiritual development, as Spiritualism does. Based on Dr. Leonard's Ph.D. thesis, the last few chapters answer his research questions gleaned from a questionnaire survey which was qualitatively analyzed in the voices of his participants, the Spiritualists themselves. Along with extensive appendices and various notes throughout, this book is a unique contribution to an area that has not yet been well documented. Dr. Leonard's insider view as a novice Spiritualist himself, to which he converts during the span of the survey, makes this book all the more attractive.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating! Amazing! Great personal stories from Mediums!, January 3, 2007

By 

Patti J. Stice "purple butterfly" (OK USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Talking to the Other Side: A History of Modern Spiritualism and Mediumship: A Study of the Religion, Science, Philosophy and Mediums that Encompass this American-Made Religion (Paperback)

With all the increasing attention on the supernatural, mediums, occult, and metaphysical possibilities, Dr. Leonard's "Talking to the Other Side" presents the extraordinary history of Spiritualism as a religion in America. He explores the early beginnings of the Fox sisters listening to unbelievable rappings, to the spread of seances across America, and to the establishment of Spiritualism as a religion, science, and philosophy in 1848. In addition to the historical text, Dr. Leonard had rare access in meeting with practicing Spiritualist mediums during years of field research. Several chapters reveal stimulating and mind expanding conversations from personal interviews with Spiritualist mediums. If you are searching for more knowledge about mediumship and spiritual growth, this is the book for you. Dr. Leonard's book is not only educational but enriches the reader by exploring the extraordinary and illuminating stories from Spiritualist mediums who continue to talk to the Spirit world. This book is a must read!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Leonard's book is excellent!, December 29, 2008

By 

Franklin S. Takei - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Talking to the Other Side: A History of Modern Spiritualism and Mediumship: A Study of the Religion, Science, Philosophy and Mediums that Encompass this American-Made Religion (Paperback)

Dr. Leonard's book is excellent! It constitutes a sorely needed updating of the religion of Spiritualism as practiced in the United States. The book is in two parts: a) a brief history of religion in the United States with special attention to the origins and development of Spiritualism; b) discussion of the research instrument which was used to attain relevant information about the practice of mediumship from certified mediums who reside and/or practice in three Spiritualist camps and a careful appraisal of the information gained from this instrument.

While the history of Spiritualism and the practice of mediumship have been discussed in monographs, books and television documentaries, Dr. Leonard's book is arguably the first of its kind to present information and assessments about mediums as such....their backgrounds, personality profiles, steps taken to become certified as mediums, and the kinds of mediumship that are practiced. Further, the appendix includes interviews conducted with some of the mediums and relevant information about Spiritualist associations.

I am a resident (more than 20 years) of one of the Spiritualist camps (Lily Dale) in which mediumship is practiced. Dr. Leonard's book confirms the impressions that I have gained over these years about mediums and mediumship.

Franklin Takei, Ph.D.