Human Personality &
its Survival of Bodily Death by Frederic W. H. Myers 1903 / 298 pages.
This undisputed masterpiece, by one
of the founders of the Society for Psychical Research, was first published
in 1903 as two volumes. It was abridged in 1919 by the author's son and we
have now reprinted the abridgement plus the full and original Epilogue.
This contained Myers' most forward and impassioned thinking. Thus we have
in this edition the very best of the original work a clear statement of
the book's purpose and scheme, including a large number of fully
investigated cases, plus Myer's summation in full. Written by a master of
the English language, who was equally and uniquely both scientist and
poet, it details a most meticulous and long-sustained research into
paranormal faculties and phenomena, research that was conducted with
rigorous scientific thoroughness and extraordinary strength of purpose.
Furthermore, in its discussion of divergent theories, there is a singular
lack of bias and the whole thrust of the work - which is never tedious -
is 'to the deciphering of that open secret which has baffled the too
hasty, or too self-centered wonder and wish of men'. And the secret - to
discover the cosmic structure of the universe. Altogether a book that must
rank as one of the most important studies - if not the most
important - yet achieved in psychical research. Already reviewers have
welcomed this edition. In The Christian Parapsychologist Professor
David Knight of Durham University remarked that ' we can happily welcome
Myers back into print ... it is a good and stimulating read'. While David
Christie-Murray, writing in Light, the journal of the College of
Psychic Studies, welcomes the book's return to print but expresses a
certain sadness in realising how little progress has been made since the
early days of the S. P. R. pioneers. Nevertheless, whether a knowledgeable
researcher or mere beginner in this field, 'the reader is increasingly
gripped by the presentation of the material'. For all who wish to research
the psychical, this classic is prescribed reading.
