I regularly link to Michael Tymn’s blog in the weekly blogscans, as he posts fascinating entries on the topic of the afterlife. Mike’s an expert on the history of the field of afterlife research, and he’s also contributed articles to our anthology Darklore (both Volumes 1 and 2). So I’m very happy to announce that Mike has now written a book, sharing his thoughts on the most interesting facets of the investigation of the ‘spirit world’. It’s titled The Articulate Dead, and you can pick up a copy from Amazon US. Here’s the blurb from the publisher’s website:
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were dynamic and evidential forms of spirit communication. A number of distinguished scientists and scholars studied some of the best mediums and concluded they were genuine. Unfortunately, there were also many charlatans and it was difficult for the general public to distinguish between the real mediums and the frauds. Scientific and religious fundamentalists along with a cynical press, were constantly on the attack, driving the genuine mediums underground or forcing them to abandon their gift.
In The Articulate Dead, Michael E. Tymn examines several of the best mediums of yesteryear and the scientific research surrounding them. A number of very intriguing stories unfold, including spirits directing an archaeologist in the uncovering of the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, spirits leading a researcher to crosses buried by American Indians, a deceased author completing his books through a medium, a Titanic victim coming back to tell about his new environment, and an afterlife researcher continuing his work after dying, to name just a few.
I have a copy of the book, and it’s certainly chock-full of fascinating evidence. For more information, Michael Prescott has reviewed the book on his blog, and also Alex Tsakiris interviewed Mike on his Skeptiko podcast. Lastly, Mike has written a new blog entry explaining his reasons for writing the book (“Make Dr Death Your Friend in 2009“), which also is worth a read.