Recommended Reading List

Benedict, Gerald. The Mayan Prophecies for 2012. London: Watkins Pub., 2008.

Radical change is a theme that runs through all the Mayan prophecies, though the actual outcome lies in our hands. Will we bring about the destruction of the Earth or will we finally awaken from our spiritual amnesia? This book challenges us to make real changes in our lives and features ancient prophecies that aim to be a wake-up call.

Click this line to read another review

Aykroyd, Peter H. A History of Ghosts : the True Story of Séances, Mediums, Ghosts, and Ghostbusters / foreword by Dan Aykroyd. [Emmaus, Pa.] : Rodale; [New York] : Distributed to the trade by Macmillan, c2009.

Dan Aykroyd’s great-grandfather held weekly séances at his home, and keep detailed journals of what occurred. This information forms the foundation of this book. It is a wonderful, detailed history of the early days of Modern Spiritualism, and the careers of some famous and not so famous mediums. It is a very easy read, and most informative.

Greaves, Helen. Testimony of Light: An Extraordinary Message of Life After Death. First published in 1969.

This is a book of Spirit communication, where the Spirit gives very detailed descriptions of life in the Spirit World. It includes descriptions of how new arrivals adjust to their new life in their spiritual bodies. This book is fascinating, and is a must read!

Martinez, Susan B. The Psychic Life of Abraham Lincoln. Franklin Lakes, NJ: New Page Books, 2007.

This book not only gives detailed information about Abraham Lincoln's life, but includes abundant information about his own dreams, premonitions, and the various mediums who read for him.

“In this informative and intriguing book, Dr. Susan Martinez digs deeply into the documented records of Lincoln’s involvement with mediums, and sets forth a preponderance of evidence suggesting he was indeed guided by benevolent spirits in his most crucial decisions.”
—Michael E Tymn, vice president, Academy of Spirituality and Paranormal Studies, and author of The Articulate Dead

Weisberg, Barbara. Talking to the Dead: Kate and Maggie Fox and the Rise of Spiritualism. Publisher San Francisco: Harper SanFrancisco, 2004.

Most Spiritualists know that the Fox Sisters were the first mediums to began “Modern Spiritualism.” This famous event took place on March 31, 1848 in Hydesville, New York, when loud raps were heard in the Fox house. The sisters began talking to the raps, and they began to respond. However, there is so very much more to their story, which this book explores in fascinating and fine detail. Margaret, Leah, and Kate Fox were pioneers of not only Spiritualism, but of women’s rights.

They pushed the envelope of social norms just as the singer Madonna did in the 1980’s. The Fox sisters dared to speak in public, and hold public séances, which was extremely unusual in their day. They also supported themselves through mediumship, holding séances and giving private reading, and made a handsome living in those days. 

Their mediumship went beyond rappings, to include automatic writing, precipitated art, and trance messages. Kate went on to be a materialization medium. Kate Fox traveled to England and worked with another famous medium Daniel Dunglas Home, and was tested by the famous psychical researcher William Crooks.

However, their mediumship and fighting social norms came at a price. Each sister battled alcoholism. Margaret became estranged from her sisters, and even claimed that the Rappings were done by snapping their toe and leg joints.

The author writes a well-balanced book, while supporting the claims of legitimate mediumship, she deals fairly with the conflicting claims of fraud. This book not only explores the lives of these three sisters, but explains the historical context in which they lived.

Anonymous. The Boy Who Saw True. London: Rider, 2005.

This book is written with unique charm. It is a diary of a boy who was born clairaudient and clairvoyant. His first entry was made on January 1, 1880 and the diary ends on October 11, 1887. However after the diary entries there are a series of letters that go up to 1927.

The author of this diary not only chose to remain anonymous, but insisted his diary was to be published several years after his death. The language of this book is a bit different that modern American English. Not only does the author use British colloquialisms, words are often misspelled because the author was very young. Despite this, the book is very easy to understand, and is most enjoyable reading.

Interspersed between the mundane events of the author’s young life, are remarkable gems of information about Spirit, and the Spirit World. One fascinating fact was that Jesus often communicated with the author on many subjects, including confirming that everyone reincarnates. Also he describes how Spirit benefits by being remembered or prayed for by people in the physical world.

Based on the diary entries of a young Victorian boy who had an extraordinary supernatural talent. This is a naïve, insightful, funny, and moving account of a precocious young clairvoyant. Born with an incredible gift, this anonymous author could see auras and spirits. Yet he failed to realize that other people were not similarly gifted. This remarkable book has become a paranormal classic.

Branch, Gregory. As I See It: My Spiritual Journey. IUniverse, 2007.

As I See It chronicles the author’s personal spiritual journey, which began 30 years ago, with his first encounter with a medium named Carl Hewitt. The author shares how his increased awareness and new understanding of the Gifts of Spirit affected and changed his life.

The content of this book will surely create much controversy and dialog on an uncommon and unpopular position concerning mankind’s relationship with religion.  

This book provides insight on the benefits of meditation, and communicating with those of the Spirit World at any time and any place. It is not the author’s intent to encourage the reader stop practicing his or her current religion, but to inspire the reader commune with Spirit, which will enhance his or her religious experience.

Martin, Joel. The Haunting of the Presidents: a Paranormal History of the U.S. Presidency. New York: Signet, 2003.

This book contains fascinating accounts of presidents who had visions, psychic experiences, consulted mediums, or returned to visit the physical world, after their death. This is definitely a topic that was omitted when we studied American History.