📖 Book Overview:
Independent Spirits: Spiritualism and English Plebeians, 1850–1910 is a fascinating socio-historical study of the Spiritualist movement in 19th-century England, with a focus on how it appealed to and empowered working-class communities. Historian Logie Barrow explores the intersection of religion, class, and radical politics, revealing how Spiritualism offered both solace and subversion to those disenfranchised by the mainstream church and state. Rich in archival research, this book sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of British religious and cultural history.
✍️ Author:
Logie Barrow is a British historian known for his research into radical politics, working-class movements, and alternative religious traditions. His writing often explores how spiritual and political dissent have shaped modern British culture.
📚 Genre & Themes:
This book falls within religious history, Spiritualism, sociology of religion, and working-class studies. Key themes include Victorian Spiritualism, social class, radical religion, and the role of spirit communication in community identity.