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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
About the author
Allan Kardec
596 books197 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 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 14, 2026
One of the biggest differences between Catholicism and Spiritism is reincarnation. Personally, I find the Spiritist view very appealing.
I like the idea that life is like a school, where we come to learn, grow, and gradually become better human beings. If we do not learn everything we need in one lifetime, we are given another opportunity to continue our spiritual development. That idea gives me hope rather than fear.
Another important difference is that Spiritism does not have sacraments such as Baptism, Confession, First Communion, or Marriage. Instead, it emphasizes personal responsibility, moral growth, charity, and learning through our experiences.
One aspect of Catholicism that I find difficult is the traditional idea of eternal hell. If God is infinitely loving and good, I struggle to understand why He would condemn someone to eternal punishment. I know that Catholic theology emphasizes both justice and mercy, but I am more drawn to the idea of a God who patiently teaches us and allows us to keep growing until we become better.
To me, the purpose of life is not simply to endure suffering in the hope of being rewarded after death. It is to learn to love, to become wiser, to help others, and to live a meaningful life here and now. Happiness, love, and personal growth seem to be part of God’s purpose for us.
That is why The Spirits’ Book has interested me so much. I have been listening to the Modern English Edition, edited by Alan L. Chapman, and I have enjoyed it very much. Although I do not agree with every point, I appreciate the way the ideas are presented through more than one thousand questions and answers. I must also agree with some other readers that, at times, the book feels repetitive, with certain ideas being expressed over and over again. However, whether or not Spiritism contains all the answers, I find its central message of continuous learning and moral evolution both comforting and inspiring.
I like the idea that life is like a school, where we come to learn, grow, and gradually become better human beings. If we do not learn everything we need in one lifetime, we are given another opportunity to continue our spiritual development. That idea gives me hope rather than fear.
Another important difference is that Spiritism does not have sacraments such as Baptism, Confession, First Communion, or Marriage. Instead, it emphasizes personal responsibility, moral growth, charity, and learning through our experiences.
One aspect of Catholicism that I find difficult is the traditional idea of eternal hell. If God is infinitely loving and good, I struggle to understand why He would condemn someone to eternal punishment. I know that Catholic theology emphasizes both justice and mercy, but I am more drawn to the idea of a God who patiently teaches us and allows us to keep growing until we become better.
To me, the purpose of life is not simply to endure suffering in the hope of being rewarded after death. It is to learn to love, to become wiser, to help others, and to live a meaningful life here and now. Happiness, love, and personal growth seem to be part of God’s purpose for us.
That is why The Spirits’ Book has interested me so much. I have been listening to the Modern English Edition, edited by Alan L. Chapman, and I have enjoyed it very much. Although I do not agree with every point, I appreciate the way the ideas are presented through more than one thousand questions and answers. I must also agree with some other readers that, at times, the book feels repetitive, with certain ideas being expressed over and over again. However, whether or not Spiritism contains all the answers, I find its central message of continuous learning and moral evolution both comforting and inspiring.
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!
February 24, 2026
Huge book but I slugged through. My biggest complaint is that it was repetitious. The same questions were asked over and over and over again, just worded a tad differently. There could have been so many other questions to ask and get answers to instead of asking the same questions ad nauseum. Do I believe this is all true. Hardly. The book was supposedly channeled by spirits through assorted mediums. So I take it all with a huge grain of salt. But it was interesting in its own way.
April 21, 2026
Believe and love one another, age old “incomplete” wisdom
I was interested in this book because people who experience NDEs seem to meet a number of spirits including friends, relatives and pets in the afterlife. What I found disturbing however is that Jesus was not divine, but if he was not God as he (and scripture) said he was, then our faith is vain and we are still in our sins. Other than that I really enjoyed the book!
I was interested in this book because people who experience NDEs seem to meet a number of spirits including friends, relatives and pets in the afterlife. What I found disturbing however is that Jesus was not divine, but if he was not God as he (and scripture) said he was, then our faith is vain and we are still in our sins. Other than that I really enjoyed the book!
May 16, 2026
The spirits book
This is an amazing book that was written back in1857. It's absolutely amazing What was said then and rings true to this day. It validates its validity For all the truths that have come true at a later date. Highly recommend.
This is an amazing book that was written back in1857. It's absolutely amazing What was said then and rings true to this day. It validates its validity For all the truths that have come true at a later date. Highly recommend.
February 28, 2026
Enlightenment
Totally worth reading and opening your mind. Enlightenment is always worth the effort. Whether you are a believer or skeptic it will or should make you think.
Totally worth reading and opening your mind. Enlightenment is always worth the effort. Whether you are a believer or skeptic it will or should make you think.
April 12, 2026
Fascinating!!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews