Peter Washington, Madame Blavatsky's Baboon: a History of the Mystics, Mediums, and Misfits Who Brought Spiritualism to America. New York: Schocken Books, 1995. ISBN: 0-8052-4125-6.
Genre: nonfiction
Subgenre: history, occultism
Format: hardcover
Source: Hutchins Library of Berea College
While the overall topic of the book could be interesting, the author's presentation is seriously dry and boring. I honestly do not see why anyone, as I've seen in some other reviews after reading this book, to be witty or even humorous.
The founding and spread of Theosophy, where the book starts, is presented as a constant soap opera between Blavatsky and those who worked with her, revealing Blavatsky as more of a charlatan than sage. Yet this was the era of spiritualism when celebrities and common people embraced spiritualism and other beliefs; this was a time where many had a serious spiritual hunger. As I said, this could be an interesting topic, but the author just drones on and on, and after a while the petty arguments, Blavatsky's prima donna behavior, and other minutiae just get to be a drag to read, There are much better books on this era out there, and I will go find one of those instead.
The title is also somewhat misleading. Spiritualism was not "brought" to America. It was an American born movement that spread out of the United States on to much of the English speaking world. Not that it matters since this books spends little time in the United States anyhow. In the end, the author just tries to pack way too much, lacks focus at times, and it is just not really interesting. This is one book to skip.
1 out of 5 stars (barely).
This book qualifies for the following 2021 Reading Challenges:
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