
CATHEDRAL HOUSE, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.
Produced by Al Haines
PREFACE - THE FOREST OF ILLUSIONS
PREFACE: THE FOREST OF ILLUSIONS - PART I - THE SALVATION OF THE POOR - A. THE ORGANISED SECTS - CHAPTER - I. THE NEGATIVISTS II. THE WHITE-ROBED BELIEVERS III. THE STRANGLERS IV. THE FUGITIVES V. THE SOUTAIEVTZI VI. THE SONS OF GOD VII. THE TOLSTOYANS VIII. THE SPIRITUAL CHRISTIANS IX. A LABORATORY OF SECTS X. THE DOUCHOBORTZI XI. THE MOLOKANES XII. THE STOUNDISTS XIII. THE MERCHANTS OF PARADISE XIV. THE JUMPERS AND THE HOLY BROTHERS XV. THE LITTLE GODS XVI. THE FOLLOWERS OF GRIGORIEFF XVII. THE NAPOLEONITES XVIII. THE DIVINE MEN XIX. THE RELIGION OF RASPUTIN XX. THE INSPIRED SEERS XXI. THE RELIGION OF SISTER HELEN XXII. THE SELF-MUTILATORS - B. THE NON-SECTARIAN VISIONARIES - I. THE BROTHERS OF DEATH II. THE DIVINITY OF FATHER IVAN III. AMONG THE MIRACLE-WORKERS - C. THE RISING FLOOD - I. THE MAHOMETAN VISIONARIES II. THE RELIGION OP THE POLAR MARSEILLAIS III. THE RELIGION OF THE GREAT CANDLE IV. THE NEW ISRAEL V. CONCLUSION - PART II - THE SALVATION OF THE WEALTHY - A. RELIGION AND ECONOMY - I. THE MORMONS, OR LATTER-DAY SAINTS II. THE RELIGION OF BUSINESS III. THE ADEPTS OF THE SUN OF SUNS - B. RELIGION AND MIRACLES - I. THE CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS II. SCHLATTER, THE MIRACLE-MAN - PART III - THE DEPTHS OF THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND - I. SECTS IN FRANCE AND ELSEWHERE II. THE RELIGION OF MURDER III. THE REINCARNATIONISTS' PARADISE CONCLUSION - MODERN SAINTS AND SEERS - PART I - THE SALVATION OF THE POOR - A. THE ORGANISED SECTS
CHAPTER I - THE NEGATIVISTS
CHAPTER II - THE WHITE-ROBED BELIEVERS
CHAPTER III - THE STRANGLERS
CHAPTER IV - THE FUGITIVES
CHAPTER V - THE SOUTAIEVTZI
CHAPTER VI - THE SONS OF GOD
In the aftermath of the Great War, many turned away from traditional churches toward a bewildering surge of mystical movements. This book charts that cultural shift, exploring the rise of occult societies, psychic experiments, and new theosophical groups across Europe and America. It treats the phenomenon as a deep response to collective trauma, offering a lens into the yearning for certainty amid chaos. The opening chapters balance vivid description with careful analysis, highlighting the tension between rational science and the allure of the unseen.
Using case studies from Russia’s hermetic circles and America’s charismatic seers, the author blends personal anecdotes with scholarly insight. He probes why individuals flock to charismatic leaders and how collective hope can be both nurtured and manipulated. The tone remains measured, avoiding sensationalism while illuminating the inner motivations that drive seekers toward the occult.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (296K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2008-04-22
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1858–1922
Best known for challenging racial theories at the start of the 20th century, this French journalist and sociologist wrote with energy about equality, society, and human difference. His work helped make him a notable public intellectual in Parisian literary and political circles.
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