Let the dead speak (Paperback)

Andrew Singleton

ISBN 10: 1526198312 / ISBN 13: 9781526198310

Published by Manchester University Press, Manchester, 2026

About this Item

Paperback. This book explores the historical and social dynamics of Spiritualism a religious movement associated in the popular imagination with nineteenth-century parlour seances and ghost photography. It continues to be practised actively today in Australia, the UK, and USA. The authors draw on their deep fieldwork, interviews, and archival research to analyse Spiritualism's resilience and the enduring popular appeal of mediumship.There are three key contributions of the book: the first is that the scholarly study of 'belief' should be rehabilitated. The authors propose a model of belief as a dialogue between claims to truth and commitments to institutions supporting those claims. The second is women's agency in Spiritualism. From the movement's beginnings, strong female leaders have decisively shaped its religious and political profile. The third is the need to analyse Australian Spiritualism as a distinct variant of a transnational Anglophone family of ritual practice. Let the dead speak explores the historical and social dynamics of Spiritualism, the religious movement associated in the popular imagination with nineteenth-century parlour seances and ghost photography. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781526198310

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Let the dead speak (Paperback)
• Publisher: Manchester University Press, Manchester
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1526198312
• ISBN 13: 9781526198310
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

This book explores the historical and social dynamics of Spiritualism - a religious movement associated in the popular imagination with nineteenth-century parlour séances and ghost photography. It continues to be practised actively today in Australia, the UK, and USA. The authors draw on their deep fieldwork, interviews, and archival research to analyse Spiritualism’s resilience and the enduring popular appeal of mediumship.

There are three key contributions of the book: the first is that the scholarly study of “belief” should be rehabilitated. The authors propose a model of belief as a dialogue between claims to truth and commitments to institutions supporting those claims. The second is women’s agency in Spiritualism. From the movement’s beginnings, strong female leaders have decisively shaped its religious and political profile. The third is the need to analyse Australian Spiritualism as a distinct variant of a transnational Anglophone family of ritual practice.

About the Author

Matt Tomlinson is Associate Dean (Research) and Professor of Anthropology at the Australian National University.

Andrew Singleton is Professor of Sociology and Social Research at Deakin University.