Mesmerism Schesmerism

Robert Darnton - I would like to pick your brain apart.

Robert Darnton's Mesmerism and the End of the Enlightenment in France is a book about a semi-quack new age-y science during the end of the Enlightenment. Drawing parallels with the political sentiment at this time, it somehow influenced the French Revolution. Mesmerism is the bathing of the invisible fluid which surrounds us, with the ability to restore our health through magnetized poles. Quite naturally, I'm skeptical, especially of this Darnton guy. Honestly, look at what he's trying to convince us of here: some weird, hollistic, hippie (17th century hippie) elitist belief has the ability to vitalize life - AND provide the political undertones necessary for a revolution. Really, one of the biggest crocks of crap I can stand to believe, but after writing my paper on it and scouring the book for serious links between this proposterous science and the French Revolution, it seemed feasible. A little out there, but feasible. So, overall, I will say, the book is written quite well, and if you have the free time, or want to read something that is credible and intellectual - give this book a chance. I will also say that, Robert Darnton is a highly esteemed historian and can practically blow you out of the water with his accolades, both nationally and internationally.

From the beginning my Early Modern Europe history class was pretty reading intensive. I, really didn't do much of it. However, I still really enjoyed the class. I think particularly because of my professor, Jonathan Dewald. He's a distinguished professor at UB but he's not stuffy, really approachable and laid back. He was super cool about late papers and it was in his class that I really began to stay behind after class was over to converse with my professors. Although I had begun to pursue pre-med before I took his course it was after reading this book that things really began to click.