Frederic W.H. Myers (1843-1901) was one of the founders of the British Society for Psychical Research; an organisation that attempted to introduce scientific research into the study of supernatural phenomena such as ghostly sightings and other similar experiences. The book sets out to look objectively into human psychology, trance, ecstasy, spectral appearances, sleep, hypnotism, etc. Although much of the findings have been outdated by the researches of the modern age, the book is nevertheless a good insight into the beliefs of the late Victorian era and the beginnings of what we would now describe as psychoanalysis.