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Mr Inglis has written a number of historical and biographical books before tackling this history of the paranormal. His scope is encyclopedic, ranging from early civilisations and tribal communities which still exist, to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. It is also a study of scepticism versus belief, which would make a study in itself.
The book is too detailed for me to discuss the views and work of individuals, or describe the phenomena reported and investigated. Suffice it to say that the phenomena are remarkably consistent through the ages, and most of the persons concerned were bound by the current concept of ‘natural law’ and of religious dogma. Nearer our time, proof was sought by statistical methods, as in Rhine's work through which the logical ones came across some unexpected results, in apparently ‘failed’ experiments.
A prevailing belief, however, favoured ‘discarnate entities’ leading to a heyday for mediums and seances. In his concluding chapter, the author remarks on the carnage of the First World War, giving such practices a boost which does not appear to have diminished. The unconscious mind does not seem to have been taken seriously in the period reviewed, though the author mentions some early psychologists such as Myers and von Hartmann, who introduced ideas of a ‘subliminal self’ and a ‘sixth sense’ which uses the other five to experience such phenomena. It was also pointed out that the anomalous occurrence—that which does not fit accepted theories—may hold the key. This is what analysts are interested in, but again, it depends on their interpretation of the event.
The text suggests that Mr Inglis is a believer, discarnate entities and all, but his beliefs do not falsify the history, much of which is well-known to me. It is a good introduction to the subject, well-organised and clearly expressed, though the repetitious arguments throughout tend to pall, and recommended reading to those analytical psychologists who are interested in followi