Talking to the Dead: Kate and Maggie Fox and the Rise of Spiritualism

Intriguing and accessible, this well researched account of the Fox sisters places the sisterly duo in the middle of the religious and feminist controversies of the time. The details of the "methods" of the mediums are a particularly fun read. And the author's even-handed approach to the quests of the participants in the spiritualist movement allows for readers to draw their own conclusions. It is a delight to read such an engaging and controversial story presented without bias.

I really enjoyed this book. It's written in a lively "voice" and draws a clear picture of the times and people involved. It drags a bit about 3/4 of the way in, but if you can get past that, it's worth reading from cover to cover. Excellent history told without bias.

The spiritualist movement of the 19th century was the beginning of America's obsession with the occult. While the psychics, and ghost hunters of today are often looked upon as frauds and con artists the spiritualists of the 19th century were often looked upon as celebrities. They traveled first class on trains and ocean liners, stayed in luxury hotels, and were hailed as proof that the afterlife existed. But, underneath it all they were as much frauds and hacks as the so-called psychics of today. The Fox Sisters were among the most well-known spiritualists of the day and interacted with celebrities such as, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and the members of various scientific societies that also flourished during the same period.Weisberg eloquently writers about both the tragedy, and the fame and fortune experienced by all three Fox sisters. She links the spiritualist movement to many of the other popular movements of the day and uses descriptive language to tell the reader about a time in history when occultism and scientific pursuits existed hand in hand.Overall this book is well written and historically accurate. It is an interesting read for both the amateur and professional historian. There are some minor formatting and grammar issues and in some places there are citations lacking but in general this is a good book.

Certainly not a gripping tale. It was none the less interesting in parts. Some parts of the book were predictable and other parts were very repetitive . All in all, it was an reasonable, entertaining read

Very interesting book about the fox sisters in New York

This is one of those subjects, as with the twists and turns of the lives of the Fox sisters, that leaves a reader looking for more. A very good and thorough book. Read it!

Gave up 32% in. Boring and a struggle to read.

This book is well researched and really sets the tone for the historical context. Filled with historically accurate information. Excellent book for anyone interested in the early history of Spiritualism.

It arrived in fantastic condition.

You will love this book if you are interested in spiritualism- contacting ghosts, seances etc - and you will love it even more if you are interested in Victorian spiritualism.This book tells the true life story of two sisters, Kate and Maggie Fox, who as teenagers claimed they could contact spirits. Their story brought them fame, notoriety and even caused them depression later on in life.I actually read this book because I am fascinated by spirits, but I found myself really captivated by the stories of these two sisters, of their life back in the 1800s and the sad things that happened to them.This book is amazing, the author keeps it ineresting and well paced. It does have some eerie accounts of when they contacted spirits, but also some heart-breaking moments where these two young women went through some tough times.I can't even begin to get across how great this book is. You can't go wrong. Read it, you won't be disappointed.

Good read

Was good to read all information relating to the Fox family. Little details missed before now brought foreword make the history a lot more true.

Yes this is the right book. Arrived without any problems.