The Book of the Damned

“Charles Fort’s The Book of the Damned” is a pioneering exploration into the uncharted territory of anomalies and unexplained phenomena, which have long been ignored or dismissed by conventional science and mainstream beliefs. First published in 1919, it serves as the genesis of Fortean studies, launching an entirely new field dedicated to investigating the enigmatic and often misunderstood aspects of our world. This classic text courageously takes a stand against the tide of commonly accepted knowledge, compelling its readers to question their understanding of reality.

Fort’s work throws open the doors to the invisible vaults of the strange, the uncanny, and the mysterious, presenting an exhaustive collection of extraordinary incidents and bizarre happenings that defy logical explanation. He meticulously curates a list of intriguing phenomena, ranging from showers of frogs to unidentified flying objects, challenging the very core of established scientific norms.

The Book of the Damned stands as a critique against the prejudiced dismissal of these anomalies by mainstream scientific discourse. Fort’s audacious perspective invites us to broaden our vision, question established dogma, and embrace the awe-inspiring complexity and perplexity of the universe.

Being the first comprehensive anthology of such phenomena, The Book of the Damned marks the beginning of an enduring quest to understand the misunderstood, investigate the ignored, and give a voice to the damned, in a realm where facts, logic, and belief often intertwine and clash. Today, the book is more than just a collection of curiosities; it is a call to intellectual audacity, an invitation to question the known and explore the unknown, setting the groundwork for future Fortean studies and inspiring countless other works in the field.

1. Anomalies are Dismissed or Ignored: Fort asserts that mainstream science often dismisses or ignores unexplainable phenomena. He argues that this is a flawed approach as it is based on the presupposition that science already understands the natural world perfectly.
2. Rainfall of Organic and Inorganic Matter: Throughout the book, Fort documents various instances of anomalous falls of organic and inorganic matter from the skies, including blood, meat, stones, and frogs. These events challenge conventional understandings of meteorology and biology.
3. Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs): Fort was one of the earliest researchers to document sightings of unidentified flying objects. These accounts predate the modern UFO era, providing a fascinating historical context to the UFO phenomena.
4. Poltergeist Phenomena: Fort also investigated various accounts of poltergeist phenomena, asserting the reality of these incidents and critiquing scientific dismissals.
5. Cryptozoological Creatures: Reports of unusual creatures are also explored, including sea serpents and other cryptids, again challenging orthodox zoological classifications.
6. A Super-Sargasso Sea: One of the more whimsical theories that Fort presents is the idea of a Super-Sargasso Sea, a place in the sky where all lost things go. This hypothesis is more metaphorical, encapsulating Fort’s critique of scientific dogmatism.

Important people and entities mentioned in “The Book of the Damned” are mainly scientists and scientific establishments of Fort’s time. They include the Royal Astronomical Society, The British Association, and scientists like Prof. Baden-Powell, Dr. Lister, Prof. Grant, and more, most of whom he critiqued for their dismissive attitudes towards anomalies.

Following are some books written about Charles Fort’s “The Book of the Damned” and their summaries:

1. “Charles Fort: The Man Who Invented the Supernatural” by Jim Steinmeyer: Steinmeyer’s biography of Fort looks deep into the life of this enigmatic figure and provides context to his work, particularly “The Book of the Damned.” It explores how Fort’s challenging upbringing and unique worldview shaped his perspectives on science and the paranormal.
2. “Damned Facts: Fortean Essays on Religion, Folklore and the Paranormal” edited by Jack Hunter: This anthology presents a series of academic essays that explore and expand upon many of the themes presented in Fort’s work. It looks at how Fort’s ideas have influenced various fields, from religious studies to anthropology and folklore.
3. “The Fortean Times Book of Strange Deaths” by David Sutton: Drawing heavily from Fort’s works, including “The Book of the Damned,” this book catalogues bizarre, unexplained, and downright weird deaths. Sutton’s book continues in Fort’s tradition of challenging accepted norms and questioning mainstream narratives.

Charles Fort’s “The Book of the Damned” stands as a seminal critique of scientific dogmatism. Fort’s challenging of accepted wisdom and his championing of the anomalous have had a profound influence, igniting a movement of open-minded enquiry into the mysteries of our world.