Talking to the Dead
A fascinating story of spirits and conjurors, skeptics and converts in the second half of nineteenth century America viewed through the lives of Kate and Maggie Fox, the sisters whose purported communication with the dead gave rise to the Spiritualism movement - and whose recanting forty years later is still shrouded in mystery.
In March of 1848, Kate and Maggie Fox - sisters aged 11 and 14 - anxiously reported to a neighbor that they had been hearing strange, unidentified sounds in their house. From a sequence of knocks and rattles translated by the young girls as a "voice from beyond," the Modern Spiritualism movement was born.
Talking to the Dead follows the fascinating story of the two girls who were catapulted into an odd limelight after communicating with spirits that March night. Within a few years, tens of thousands of Americans were flocking to seances. An international movement followed. Yet thirty years after those first knocks, the sisters shocked the country by denying they had ever contacted spirits. Shortly after, the sisters once again changed their story and reaffirmed their belief in the spirit world. Weisberg traces not only the lives of the Fox sisters and their family (including their mysterious Svengali-like sister Leah) but also the social, religious, economic and political climates that provided the breeding ground for the movement. While this is a thorough, compelling overview of a potent time in US history, it is also an incredible ghost story.
By: Barbara Weisberg
Paperback: 336 pages
Language: English
5.31 x 0.76 x 8 inches
ISBN: 9780060750602
SHIPPING
At this time, orders shipped within the United States are shipped using USPS or UPS. Tracking information will be provided via email.
International shipping is offered on case-by-case basis. Please email us at contactus@pem.org to inquire.
PEM Shop is not responsible for lost or stolen merchandise.
IN STORE PICKUP
For our local customers, we are pleased to offer an In Store Pickup option! How it works:
-
Shop online at shop.pem.org
-
At checkout, select Curbside Pickup as your shipping method. Place your order.
-
Once we have prepared your order, you will receive an email that your order is ready for pickup.
-
Follow the pickup instructions provided in your email. Arrive at our Store location at 161 Essex Street.
- Orders not picked up within two weeks of order date will be canceled and refunded.
Please Note: Please allow 2-3 days from purchase date for processing. In Store Pickup is available Thursday through Monday 10 am–5 pm.
RETURN & EXCHANGE POLICY
We are pleased to accept returns within 30 days of the purchase date. All returned items must be in their original condition and packaging.
To begin your return process, please email us at: contactus@pem.org
Please note: Sale, clearance and personal use items, such as face masks, cannot be returned or exchanged for store credit.