Supernatural: Writings on an Unknown History

by Richard Smoley

This gem-like, concise anthology provides thoughtful people with both an introduction to the paranormal and a reason to take a fresh look at it. Nostradamus...channeling...Atlantis...divination. Most serious people consider such topics nonsense. But look again. Writing with intellectual verve and a deeply critical mind, religious thinker Richard Smoley explores and reconsiders the supernatural in history and today.We are often conditioned to think of the Judeo-Christian tradition as the only valid, historically accurate, and rational spiritual philosophy. Occultism, magic, and the esoteric are, by contrast, considered illegitimate, delusional, and lacking in intrinsic worth. Supernatural challenges this prejudice, revealing that Western occult traditions are richer and more historically impactful than most of us imagine. The book reveals hidden diamonds and neglected ideas that characterize the magical tradition in the West.For any reader, at any level of experience, who has ever been curious about an arcane subject – from psychical powers to secret societies – here is a book that gives a complete yet precise, critical, yet serious, and always respectful account of topics from the unseen world. Supernatural is a brilliant primer to the occult and magical traditions of the West.

Praise for RICHARD SMOLEY

“I have a standing I read anything Richard Smoley writes.” —Larry Dossey, M.D.

“Smoley . . . is adept at unknotting the paradoxes of spiritual traditions and making new connections across centuries and languages.” —Library Journal

“He is one of the liveliest, most intrepid, and most gifted explorers of the spiritual landscape writing today.”

—Ptolemy Tompkins, author of Paradise Fever

 

Genres: Nonfiction, Paranormal, Philosophy, Occult

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 7, 2013

Reviews

[Fred · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good brief and objective look at aspects of western spirituality. Smoley is hectic as he is not an idiotpig new age shill by consistently presenting views from multiple sources and takes a historical approach of how ideas presented were developed.

Although it doesn't go into much conceptual depth (good because he doesn't come of as a shill), the book is a great introduction into elucidating new age concepts thrown around by sad tumblrinas i.e. Atlantis, positive thinking.

[Kim Heimbuch · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a decent starter compendium for any person interested in further exploration into the wondrous world of the supernatural. Author Richard Smoley has put together the perfect compilation briefly covering topics such as prophecy, demons, and Atlantis and tries to debunk many of the poorly translated and toxic views people have spun upon many of these topics throughout history, such as the mysteries seen in Dan Brown’s The DaVinci Code, in which Brown doesn’t hesitate in trying to disprove the accusations that Mary Magdalene was a deeply immoral woman.

What this book does lack is any real type of depth on any of the topics covered. It is written more along the lines of a college thesis and truly is in need of substantially more sources for each topic. I wasn’t sure if the point of this book was to convince me of any truths behind the topics covered, or to just convey the idle thoughts of the writer.

“Given all this, how can you make a connection between this vast world within and mundane reality?”
While I have an extraordinary collection of books on the supernatural, I am not sure I would have purchased this specific title to add to it. It is just simply too vague and not informative enough or sourced enough to ever reference for research or writing. My advice is to just borrow a copy from your local library or find a used copy somewhere.
*This book was provided in exchange for an honest review*
*You can view the original review at Musing with Crayolakym and San Francisco & Sacramento City Book Review

[Mersini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. It's a collection of short essays on various subjects, including Atlantis, the themes brought up in Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, and demons.

However, being a collection of short essays, there is not nearly enough information to be satisfying. There's enough to get you interested, but not enough to keep you from going hungry. On that note, I found that this book presumed some knowledge, which, if you don't have, might leave you a little lost.

While most of Smoley's sources seem legitimate, there were a couple in there that I thought were questionable - one of which was Wikipedia, which any university level student knows to never, ever cite. So, while Smoley makes some compelling points, I'm going to wonder at the validity of his research just a little bit, though I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for the most part.

Also, objectivity was a slight issue. He tries to be objective and non-judgmental about most things in this book, in a kind of "I don't believe it but that doesn't mean it can't be true" way, which is good, and I appreciated it as a reader. But there were a few instances where his opinion did come through where it wasn't necessary, which, like the Wikipedia citation, makes me take what he says with a grain of salt.

Overall though, an interesting read, which opens the way into more research. Thankfully the bibliography at the back provides a starting point.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great fact I found in chapter 4 is; In Britian, America and the Commonwealth, esoteric lodges have long followed the lead of Grand Lodge Masonry which promoted the liberal ideas of the 18th and 19th centuries and have been part of the status quo. On the other hand in continental Europe because of the longstanding aversion of the Catholic Church to secret societies, Masonic groups were more revolutionary and anticlerical. In response to this occult orders arose to guard the priviledges of the church and nobility against inroads of " bourg. republicans". For this reason they were drawn towards nationalist, fascist, and monarchist ideals.
Getting to the end of this book I can see the frustration in the disjointed and truncated nature of the book. To be fair to the author this book is merely a collection of previously published articles.
Some of the chapters are partucularly good like chapter 14 Demons Among Us.
I do agree that some chapters are so concise that I was a bit incredulous when they ended.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting subject material and the writer is objective and thorough. I think the book tried to tackle too much. Each of the chapters gave only a teaser and felt like it could have been the subject of much more intense material. Maybe a good introduction to occult and supernatural beliefs but for nerds like me who read a lot on this subject it was still a bit like an appetizer rather than like a meal.

[Mel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read four chapters before giving up. There's some material of interest here, but it's mostly the unrealized promise of chapter titles and fragments pulled directly from Jung. Throw in one of the vaguest "fairly specific" definitions of "power" I've ever seen (p. 16), loops between Platonic idealism and an astral plane, and brazen cultural appropriation...

The author basically says nothing new or terribly mysterious--and does so very wordily.

[Glenn Herdling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some gems in here; others not so much

A variety of writings on the supernatural, but a number that delve into the philosophical. Whereas you cannot have one without the other, I'd rather keep dissertations of the self separate from those of the spirit.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review at:

http://thecelebritycafe.com/reviews/2...

[Angus MacHaggis · Rating 3 out of 5]

;)

[David Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Effective Primer

Considerable scope in addressing esoteric subjects, but lacks the necessary details which leaves you wanting greater depth and crave more information.

[Steven · Rating 1 out of 5]

One or two interesting articles, but on the whole not for me.