The Thought Reader Craze (Paperback)

Barry H. Wiley

ISBN 10: 0786464704 / ISBN 13: 9780786464708

Published by McFarland & Co Inc, Jefferson, NC, 2012

About this Item

Paperback. Beginning in 1870, the hunger for scientific discovery in Great Britain drove prominent scientists, philosophers and others to promote the legitimacy of telepathy. At the same time, mind-reading as a form of entertainment gained increasing popularity as persuasive performers like John Randall Brown, W.I. Bishop, and Stuart C. Cumberland convinced reporters that they truly could read the thoughts of others. The widely publicized, sometimes bizarre, interactions between scientists and these charlatans ushered in the Thought Reader Craze, a period that lasted through about 1910 and saw entertainers make and lose fortunes and scientists make and lose reputations. This volume explores this unusual cultural phenomenon, showing how it was aided through the years by public scientific pronouncements, astonishing performances by the thought readers, and the rapidly changing industrial society. "Mind-reading as a form of entertainment gained popularity as performers convinced reporters that they truly could read the thoughts of others. This volume explores this cultural phenomenon, showing how it endured through the years due to public scientific pronouncements, astonishing performances by the thought readers, and the rapidly changing industrial society"--Provided by publisher. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780786464708

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Thought Reader Craze (Paperback)
• Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc, Jefferson, NC
• Publication Date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0786464704
• ISBN 13: 9780786464708
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Beginning in 1870, the hunger for scientific discovery in Great Britain drove prominent scientists, philosophers and others to promote the legitimacy of telepathy. At the same time, mind-reading as a form of entertainment gained increasing popularity as persuasive performers like John Randall Brown, W.I. Bishop, and Stuart C. Cumberland convinced reporters that they truly could read the thoughts of others.

The widely publicized, sometimes bizarre, interactions between scientists and these charlatans ushered in the Thought Reader Craze, a period that lasted through about 1910 and saw entertainers make and lose fortunes and scientists make and lose reputations. This volume explores this unusual cultural phenomenon, showing how it was aided through the years by public scientific pronouncements, astonishing performances by the thought readers, and the rapidly changing industrial society.

About the Author

The late Barry H. Wiley was the author of numerous books on the history of thought reading and spiritualism. He was an associate of the Inner Magic Circle, London, and a member of the Order of Merlin of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He lived in Oregon.