Perry Myers Book order

The book examines the emergence of cosmopolitan religious movements in late 19th to early 20th century Europe and India, highlighting their shared themes of anti-materialism, acceptance of Darwinian evolution, and universal spirituality. Despite these commonalities, the movements—such as Theosophy and Anthroposophy—adapted uniquely to their national contexts, influenced by social, cultural, and political factors. It illustrates how these innovative spiritual discourses interacted with secular dynamics to propose new visions for social order and transformation.

The wide-ranging fascination with India in Wilhelmine Germany emerged during a time of extraordinary cultural and political tensions. This study shows how religious (denominational and spiritual) dilemmas, political agendas, and shifting social consensus became inextricably entangled in the wider German encounter with India during the Kaiserreich.