Medical Meddlers, Mediums and Magicians

The Victorian Age of Credulity

Nonfiction, History, Modern, 19th Century
Cover of the book Medical Meddlers, Mediums and Magicians by Keith Souter, The History Press
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Author: Keith Souter ISBN: 9780752478074
Publisher: The History Press Publication: November 30, 2011
Imprint: The History Press Language: English
Author: Keith Souter
ISBN: 9780752478074
Publisher: The History Press
Publication: November 30, 2011
Imprint: The History Press
Language: English

An exploration of how and why an era underpinned by science and logic was also so rife with quacks and conjurers The Victorians had a thirst for knowledge, which drove them to explore the unchartered corners of the world, plumb the unfathomable depths of science, discover evolution, and create some of the engineering and architectural marvels of the world. Yet this open-mindedness also at times made them utterly gullible. Because of their closeness to disease and the ever-present threat of their own mortality, it was inevitable that they would be open to the claims of quacks who promised all kinds of panaceas, and to mediums who offered a means of communicating with the dead. So too did it make them eager for diversion and entertainment by the conjurers and illusionists of the great music halls. Strangely, it was through the magic-making skill of the conjurers that the activities of many of the tricksters and fraudulent mediums finally came to be exposed. This look at the Victorians’ gullibility in matters of life, death, and entertainment is a box of delights for all students of Victoriana.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

An exploration of how and why an era underpinned by science and logic was also so rife with quacks and conjurers The Victorians had a thirst for knowledge, which drove them to explore the unchartered corners of the world, plumb the unfathomable depths of science, discover evolution, and create some of the engineering and architectural marvels of the world. Yet this open-mindedness also at times made them utterly gullible. Because of their closeness to disease and the ever-present threat of their own mortality, it was inevitable that they would be open to the claims of quacks who promised all kinds of panaceas, and to mediums who offered a means of communicating with the dead. So too did it make them eager for diversion and entertainment by the conjurers and illusionists of the great music halls. Strangely, it was through the magic-making skill of the conjurers that the activities of many of the tricksters and fraudulent mediums finally came to be exposed. This look at the Victorians’ gullibility in matters of life, death, and entertainment is a box of delights for all students of Victoriana.

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