Mesmerism and the End of the Enlightenment in France by Robert Darnton is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of psychology, medicine, or the history of France.

Mesmerism and the End of the Enlightenment in France; Robert Darnton; Harvard University Press; 1968; ISBN-10: 0674569512; Trade Paper; 8.5×5.5x.5 inches; 218pp.

This First Edition (2nd printing) of the original 1968 publication (not the revised edition of 1986),  is in FINE condition with some fading to covers exposure to sun and foxing inside covers and on edges from age. Appears never to have been read, spine not creased and no markings in text.

Darnton’s study begins by introducing the reader to Franz Anton Mesmer, the founder of mesmerism. He then delves into the ways in which mesmerism was used to treat various physical and psychological ailments, as well as its use in social and cultural contexts. Darnton argues that mesmerism was not just a fad, but a serious scientific pursuit that captured the attention of some of the greatest minds of the time.

The book also provides a fascinating glimpse into the intellectual climate of 18th-century France, where enlightenment thinking was giving way to a new kind of skepticism. As mesmerism grew in popularity, it became the target of criticism and ridicule, and eventually fell out of favor as a legitimate medical practice.

Darnton’s insights into the cultural and social context of mesmerism shed light on a fascinating period in history and provide a unique perspective on the evolution of scientific thinking during the Enlightenment era.