Magical Musings: November 2005 - The First Psychic

The First Psychic

Dr Peter Lamont, the author of The Rise and Fall of the Indian Rope Trick, and co-author of Magic in Theory, has published his third and latest book: THE FIRST PSYCHIC: The Peculiar Mystery of a Notorious Victorian Wizard.

As the title suggests the eminent historian and magician traces the life and times of the "first psychic" Daniel Dunglas Home.

Judging by the reviews of the book in various publications, Peter seems to have come out with another good book on the history of the magical arts:

Philip Hoare in The Guardian writes in A talent for ectoplasm, “None the less, this is a well researched and illuminating book. To many, Home was just a Yankee conjuror; but Lamont's entertaining essay in human credibility shows that he was much more than that.”

Writing in The New Statesman (UK), Hilary Mantel writes “For all its levity - and laughter arises like - oh, like a piano - this is a serious and thought-provoking book about how we witness and interpret the world. My own uncanny powers forecast a feast called Christmas, not far distant, when The First Psychic should, if there is any justice, mysteriously levitate from bookshop shelves and appear in intelligent people's stockings.”

And if all that was not enough praise, Robert Douglas-Fairhurst in The Daily Telegraph says, “This is a clever book […] Entertaining enough to keep its readers wondering.”

While I am yet to read the book myself, knowing Peter and his earlier works, I am positive that this book would also be an interesting read for one interested in the magical arts, especially mentalism and psychic entertainment; For this book explains where it all started.

I just can’t wait to get myself a copy of what-sounds-to-be an extremely interesting book.

Published in VNM: November 15, 2005