Houdini, an escape artist and illusionist, became interested later in his life in debunking spiritualists, disbelieving anyone who claimed to have supernatural powers. This was during an era where paranormal phenomena, especially seances, were extremely popular. Although skeptical of their claims, he longed to find a credible source to communicate with family members he had lost. This book chronicles his travels and the many people he spoke with and his observations of their 'powers' and along the way also reveals many of the tricks they employed to deceive their paying customers. - Summary by Phyllis Vincelli
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Chapters
- Chapter 1
Introduction and Preface
23:49 - Chapter 2
Chapter 1 - The Founders of Modern Spiritualism
34:49 - Chapter 3
Chapter 2 Part I - The Davenport Brothers
20:05 - Chapter 4
Chapter 2 Part II - The Davenport Brothers
22:56 - Chapter 5
Chapter 3 - Daniel Dunglas Home
25:50 - Chapter 6
Chapter 4 - Palladino
36:34 - Chapter 7
Chapter 5 - Ann O'Delia Diss Debar
28:18 - Chapter 8
Chapter 6 Part I - Dr. Slade and his Spirit Slates
31:32 - Chapter 9
Chapter 6 Part II - Dr. Slade and his Spirit Slates
19:45 - Chapter 10
Chapter 7 - Slate Writing and Other Methods
36:03 - Chapter 11
Chapter 8 Part I - Spirit Photography
28:17 - Chapter 12
Chapter 8 Part II - Spirit Photography
18:07 - Chapter 13
Chapter 9 Part I - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
19:14 - Chapter 14
Chapter 9 Part II - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
20:51 - Chapter 15
Chapter 9 Part III - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
19:53 - Chapter 16
Chapter 10 - Why Ectoplasm?
30:23 - Chapter 17
Chapter 11 - By-Products of Spiritualism
27:05 - Chapter 18
Chapter 12 Part I - Investigations - Wise and Otherwise
29:26 - Chapter 19
Chapter 12 Part II - Investigations - Wise and Otherwise
32:44 - Chapter 20
Chapter 13 - How Mediums Obtain Information
26:12 - Chapter 21
Chapter 14 - What You Must Believe to be a Spiritualist
35:22 - Chapter 22
Chapter 15 Part I - Magicians as Detectors of Fraud
27:02 - Chapter 23
Chapter 15 Part II - Magicians as Detectors of Fraud
26:30 - Chapter 24
Chapter 16 - Conclusion
12:16 - Chapter 25
Appendix
30:07