The Spiritist Review, Choice Texts 1858-1864

This special edition contains a comprehensive selection of articles on Spiritist phenomena, events and research that took place in the USA and were published by Allan Kardec in the issues of The Spiritist Review. We have divided the current selection into two volumes. The first volume comprises articles published from 1858 to 1864, and the second one contains those published from 1865 to 1869, to be published at a later date. Such articles should provide the reader with a more precise idea of all phenomena that were occurring in the USA, and how mediums and reputable people were involved in their research. Additionally, we have also included a few articles that, although not mentioning the USA specifically, may also help the reader get a broader understanding of some key Spiritist tenets. All in all, they represent a very substantial introduction to a wide range of Spiritist phenomena reported in great detail from different locations all over the North American continent. Their historic importance for the study and understanding of Spiritism and Spiritualism in the country where these phenomena first took place cannot be overstated, having drawn much worldwide attention in the middle of the 19th. century, especially from European researchers. The Spiritist Review was a much reputed monthly journal written and published by Allan Kardec from January 1858 to April 1869. He died on March 31st. 1869, when he had already finished the April 1869 issue, published soon after his death. There were 136 monthly issues of The Spiritist Review, later bundled in volumes of 12 yearly issues each, composing twelve volumes in total. It is the largest collection of Spiritist writings left by Allan Kardec.