Anna Blackwell

This book offers a timely examination of the relationship between Shakespeare and contemporary digital media. By focusing upon a variety of ‘Shakespearean’ individuals, groups and communities and their ‘online’ presence, the book explores the role of popular internet culture in the ongoing adaptation of Shakespeare’s plays and his general cultural standing. The description of certain performers as ‘Shakespearean’ is a ubiquitous but often throwaway assessment. However, a study of ‘Shakespearean’ actors within a broader cultural context reveals much, not only about the mutable face of British culture (popular and ‘highbrow’) but also about national identity and commerce. These performers share an online space with the other major focus of the book: the fans and digital content creators whose engagement with the Shakespearean marks them out as more than just audiences and consumers; they become producers and critics. Ultimately, Digital Shakespeareans moves beyond the theatrical history focus of related works to consider the role of digital culture and technology in shaping Shakespeare’s contemporary adaptive legacy and the means by which we engage with it.

This book offers a timely examination of the relationship between Shakespeare and contemporary digital media. By focusing upon a variety of ‘Shakespearean’ individuals, groups and communities and their ‘online’ presence, the book explores the role of popular internet culture in the ongoing adaptation of Shakespeare’s plays and his general cultural standing. The description of certain performers as ‘Shakespearean’ is a ubiquitous but often throwaway assessment. However, a study of ‘Shakespearean’ actors within a broader cultural context reveals much, not only about the mutable face of British culture (popular and ‘highbrow’) but also about national identity and commerce. These performers share an online space with the other major focus of the book: the fans and digital content creators whose engagement with the Shakespearean marks them out as more than just audiences and consumers; they become producers and critics. Ultimately, Digital Shakespeareans moves beyond the theatrical history focus of related works to consider the role of digital culture and technology in shaping Shakespeare’s contemporary adaptive legacy and the means by which we engage with it.

The Mediums' Book sees Allan Kardec introduce and explain how human beings can communicate with the vast spiritual realm. Through this book, we learn how to make contact with spirits of humans and ancestors, and identify both good and evil spirits. An excellent book of spiritual guidance, Kardec explains the methods of mediumship. How a seeker of the spirits can build an understanding of the practices needed to summon, and how the rituals must be carried out, is covered in many detailed chapters. Kardec is honest about the pitfalls; upsetting the spirits, or incurring the wrath and misfortune unleashed by malevolent spirits, is something a medium must always be cautious of. In studying the behavior of the spirits, Kardec answers questions about whether they attach themselves to people or objects. We discover why spirits can manifest even without the presence of a learned medium; such as in haunted houses or other sites.

The Mediums' Book sees Allan Kardec introduce and explain how human beings can communicate with the vast spiritual realm. Through this book, we learn how to make contact with spirits of humans and ancestors, and identify both good and evil spirits. An excellent book of spiritual guidance, Kardec explains the methods of mediumship. How a seeker of the spirits can build an understanding of the practices needed to summon, and how the rituals must be carried out, is covered in many detailed chapters. Kardec is honest about the pitfalls; upsetting the spirits, or incurring the wrath and misfortune unleashed by malevolent spirits, is something a medium must always be cautious of. In studying the behavior of the spirits, Kardec answers questions about whether they attach themselves to people or objects. We discover why spirits can manifest even without the presence of a learned medium; such as in haunted houses or other sites.

Allan Kardec's supreme handbook about the world of the spirits and the movement of Spiritism is a valuable and insightful guide to existences beyond our corporeal realm. Kardec begins this work by delving into the historical significance of spirits, their connection with God and the physical universe. How spirits are situated in the world, and how they move unseen between the planes of existence, is discussed. The second part concentrates on The Spirit World in greater detail. The types of spirits and how they are incarnated are detailed, with Kardec proposing that several distinct planes of existence are extant, and that most individuals proceed through life without knowing or seeing their influence. A chapter is devoted to how spirits might intervene in our everyday, corporeal world. Often these excursions have a purpose; the spirits are on a mission to inform someone, or change something, that harmony may be restored.

Allan Kardec's supreme handbook about the world of the spirits and the movement of Spiritism is a valuable and insightful guide to existences beyond our corporeal realm. Kardec begins this work by delving into the historical significance of spirits, their connection with God and the physical universe. How spirits are situated in the world, and how they move unseen between the planes of existence, is discussed. The second part concentrates on The Spirit World in greater detail. The types of spirits and how they are incarnated are detailed, with Kardec proposing that several distinct planes of existence are extant, and that most individuals proceed through life without knowing or seeing their influence. A chapter is devoted to how spirits might intervene in our everyday, corporeal world. Often these excursions have a purpose; the spirits are on a mission to inform someone, or change something, that harmony may be restored.