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The Spirits' Book: Modern English Edition: Teachings From Advanced Spirits on God, Angels, Heaven, the Afterlife, the Purpose of Life, and the Spiritual Journey
What happens when we die? Do we live more than one life? Why do bad things happen to good people?
For more than 150 years, Allan Kardec’s The Spirits’ Book has shared profound wisdom from highly advanced spirits, revealing timeless truths about life, death, and the purpose of our existence.
This modern English edition, adapted and updated by Alan L. Chapman, answers over 1,000 questions about the afterlife, the soul, and the spiritual laws that guide our world. It features new footnotes, a glossary, and revised language to make Kardec’s teachings clear and accessible for today’s readers.
It offers practical insights on near-death experiences, angels, spirit guides, energy healing, free will, mediumship, reincarnation, heaven and hell, and many other revelations about the unseen world that shapes our lives.
Their messages continue to inspire and comfort millions, offering a deeper understanding of who we are, where we come from, and what awaits us beyond this life.
Who This Edition Is Perfect ForReaders who found the other translations difficult to finish
Anyone who wants clear, modern, conversational English
Newcomers to Spiritism seeking an accessible introduction
Readers who learn best through simple, direct language
Anyone who prefers a smooth reading experience without archaic vocabulary
Who This Edition May Not SuitReaders looking for a strict, literal, scholarly translation
Those who prefer Kardec’s original 19th-century style
Academic researchers or people comparing multiple editions
Readers wanting extensive commentary or historical analysis
For more than 150 years, Allan Kardec’s The Spirits’ Book has shared profound wisdom from highly advanced spirits, revealing timeless truths about life, death, and the purpose of our existence.
This modern English edition, adapted and updated by Alan L. Chapman, answers over 1,000 questions about the afterlife, the soul, and the spiritual laws that guide our world. It features new footnotes, a glossary, and revised language to make Kardec’s teachings clear and accessible for today’s readers.
It offers practical insights on near-death experiences, angels, spirit guides, energy healing, free will, mediumship, reincarnation, heaven and hell, and many other revelations about the unseen world that shapes our lives.
Their messages continue to inspire and comfort millions, offering a deeper understanding of who we are, where we come from, and what awaits us beyond this life.
Who This Edition Is Perfect ForReaders who found the other translations difficult to finish
Anyone who wants clear, modern, conversational English
Newcomers to Spiritism seeking an accessible introduction
Readers who learn best through simple, direct language
Anyone who prefers a smooth reading experience without archaic vocabulary
Who This Edition May Not SuitReaders looking for a strict, literal, scholarly translation
Those who prefer Kardec’s original 19th-century style
Academic researchers or people comparing multiple editions
Readers wanting extensive commentary or historical analysis
694 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2025
100 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Allan Kardec
425 books186 followersPen name for the teacher, translator and author Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail, he was the father of Spiritism.
He was a member of several scholarly societies, including the Historic Institute of Paris (Institut Historique), Society of Natural Sciences of France (Société des Sciences Naturelles de France), Society for the Encouragement of National Industry (Société d'Encouragement pour l'Industrie Nationale), and The Royal Academy of Arras (Académie d'Arras, Société Royale des Sciences, des Lettres et des Arts). He organized and taught free courses for the underprivileged.
For several decades he helped advance Pestalozzi's pedagogy in France, founding schools and working as a teacher, educational writer and translator.
He was a member of several scholarly societies, including the Historic Institute of Paris (Institut Historique), Society of Natural Sciences of France (Société des Sciences Naturelles de France), Society for the Encouragement of National Industry (Société d'Encouragement pour l'Industrie Nationale), and The Royal Academy of Arras (Académie d'Arras, Société Royale des Sciences, des Lettres et des Arts). He organized and taught free courses for the underprivileged.
For several decades he helped advance Pestalozzi's pedagogy in France, founding schools and working as a teacher, educational writer and translator.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 5, 2026
Excellent, modernized version of a classic
Alan Chapman clearly poured many hours into modernizing this fascinating text. As someone who has been studying NDEs, this book was almost entirely consistent with what those experiencers report. It seemed like a behind-the-scenes look at the next realm (and the past realm, since we’ve apparently been there before).
Unfortunately, much of what the spirits predicted about mankind becoming more moral hasn’t happened yet. Since the book was originally published in the 1850s, we’ve seen history’s worst wars and cruelty. Perhaps on the spirits’ timescale, 170 years isn’t very long. I hope such breakthroughs happen soon!
Alan Chapman clearly poured many hours into modernizing this fascinating text. As someone who has been studying NDEs, this book was almost entirely consistent with what those experiencers report. It seemed like a behind-the-scenes look at the next realm (and the past realm, since we’ve apparently been there before).
Unfortunately, much of what the spirits predicted about mankind becoming more moral hasn’t happened yet. Since the book was originally published in the 1850s, we’ve seen history’s worst wars and cruelty. Perhaps on the spirits’ timescale, 170 years isn’t very long. I hope such breakthroughs happen soon!
Displaying 1 of 1 review