Fits, Trances, and Visions

More about the book

Exploring the intersection of religion and psychology, this book delves into the interpretations of involuntary experiences such as fits, trances, and clairvoyance in Anglo-American culture from the mid-eighteenth to early-twentieth centuries. It contrasts the views of believers, who see these phenomena as divine manifestations, with skeptics who attribute them to mental or physical conditions. Through a historical lens, the author, Ann Taves, examines the complex narratives surrounding these experiences, revealing the cultural tensions between faith and skepticism.