Erik R. Seeman

This is an absorbing study, backed up by detailed research, of the way people believed they were communicating with (or commemorating) the dead over several centuries of the church in America. I found the sections on belief in direct communication with spirits intriguing, especially the section about how this related to the Salem Witch Trials. Seeman also covers the many other ways people felt they were maintaining a relationship with deceased friends and relatives and reflects on links with show more literature and the press, as well as the changing attitudes of society and the established church towards these practices. It is a fascinating book – and John Burlinson’s voice is easy to listen to. show less

This was definitely an interesting read, but it was very dry. However, not only was it interesting, but it painted such a picture of how the living went about mourning the loss of a loved one over a 300-year history and it's wild to read about some of the very odd to the very off-putting ways people grieved; I'd be curious to see how others in the future judge how, we today, mourn our loved ones.

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
This book addresses the European-centric practices over the first few centuries of American history around dying, death, and burial. I found the material itself to be intriguing. Certainly this is of value to anyone interested these practices, or even of church practices more broadly during this time. For this I recommend it.
I did find the show more narration a bit distracting at times, particularly when the male narrator was doing female voices, as sometimes it seemed to be very strained or contrived. show less

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.This book is fascinating and
very interesting. Well documented and had great resources. I learned lot about philosophy, procedures and emotions
behind the ceremony and history behind death and dying and peoples perception of the practices involved. Highly recommended and I am going to buy the actual book to have a physical copy.