Is Spiritualism Based on Fraud? The Evidence Given by Sir A.C. Doyle and Others Drastically Examined

"Is Spiritualism Based on Fraud?" by Joseph McCabe is a forceful takedown of Spiritualism's core beliefs, looking closely at the supposed facts around mediums and contact with the dead. The story kicks off with the setting for a fierce argument between the author and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and the book then goes into a deep review of common Spiritualist practices, pointing out how many so-called gifted individuals have been caught faking things. McCabe makes it clear that these cons often target those dealing with loss, tricking them during vulnerable moments. With a tone of deep skepticism, the author uses the continued finding of fraudulent behavior to suggest that Spiritualism, itself, is basically built on deception. The claims and counterclaims in the book highlight the intense social back-and-forth happening at the time, showing a world struggling to balance the supernatural with the truth.