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.