Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy

Exploring the spiritualism and occultism of nineteenth-century America, the book offers an intellectual journey through the era's religious landscape. Orestes Brownson, drawing from real events and figures, illustrates the allure and perils of these beliefs, reflecting on how the age's temptations resonate with contemporary society. Through a blend of fiction and autobiography, he critiques the modern notion that humanity can attain god-like status, revealing the enduring struggle against spiritual forces that seek to influence our lives.