Let the dead speak
Spiritualism in Australia
Will be published approx. on 23. June 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
216 pages
978-1-5261-9831-0 (ISBN)
Description
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. -- .
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. -- .
Reviews / Votes
'Rich, perceptive, and engaging. Let the dead speak provides a brilliant, concise introduction to Spiritualism through the contours of its Australian story. Clearly written, its sharp interdisciplinary analysis provides fresh insights into Spiritualism's past, influence, and broader significance, and crucially its character as a resilient living tradition.'-Geoff Troughton, Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington
'Tracing the story of Spiritualism across continents and centuries, Singleton and Tomlinson portray a community convinced that the dead want to continue to connect with their loved ones. This is a form of faith grounded in doubt rather than brash conviction, where members work to bridge radically different worlds.'
- Debra McDougall, University of Melbourne -- .
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Manchester
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
22 black and white illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
311 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5261-9831-0 (9781526198310)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
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. -- .
Andrew Singleton is Professor of Sociology and Social Research at Deakin University. -- .
Content
1 The Age of Aquarius
2 An Ever-Widening Circle of Interest
3 The Victorian Spiritualists' Union and the Changing Face of Twentieth Century Australia
4 The Service
5 Healing and Perfection
6 Metaphysical Therapy
7 The Theatre for Belief
8 A Little Outpost
9 Typically Spiritualist
10 Race and Ethnicity in the Spirit World
11 How Australian Is Australian Spiritualism?
Afterword. Here and Hereafter
Appendix A: Emma Hardinge Britten in Australia, 1878-1879
Appendix B: Arthur Conan Doyle's The Wanderings of a Spiritualist: Missionary Work in Australia, 1920-1921
Appendix C: Transcript of the Canberra Spiritualist Association Service of 6 August 2017
Index -- .
2 An Ever-Widening Circle of Interest
3 The Victorian Spiritualists' Union and the Changing Face of Twentieth Century Australia
4 The Service
5 Healing and Perfection
6 Metaphysical Therapy
7 The Theatre for Belief
8 A Little Outpost
9 Typically Spiritualist
10 Race and Ethnicity in the Spirit World
11 How Australian Is Australian Spiritualism?
Afterword. Here and Hereafter
Appendix A: Emma Hardinge Britten in Australia, 1878-1879
Appendix B: Arthur Conan Doyle's The Wanderings of a Spiritualist: Missionary Work in Australia, 1920-1921
Appendix C: Transcript of the Canberra Spiritualist Association Service of 6 August 2017
Index -- .