Brackett's work here on apparitions which materialize during seances is a fairly good display of the kind of semi-skeptical mindset displayed by many in a period marked by mediums and colonialism. Neither technically fully receptive nor particularly a full skeptic per se, Brackett attempted to study in particular one now infamous individual- Anna Fay- who not many years after this book would be exposed as a fraud by none other than Harry Houdini. Brackett, unfortunately for his reputation, was fooled by the parlor tricks.To the occultist thus this guide serves as a potent warning of anecdotes, even literary, and of assuming the veracity of studies performed even scientifically by others. It is also a fine example of early 20th century pseudo-academia.
