The five basic works of Spiritism: what each one is and where to start
Anyone approaching Spiritism soon comes across the same list: five books published in France between 1857 and 1868, signed by Allan Kardec. These are the so-called basic works of the Codification, the set that organises the principles, practices and morality of the Spiritist doctrine. But what exactly is inside each one? And which should you read first, when you are still taking your first steps?
If you were given a reading recommendation, have become interested in the doctrine again after years, or want to understand what your relatives study, this text is for you. We summarise each work and suggest a reading path, always with the respect of those who present what the doctrine teaches.
What the Codification is
Before the books, it helps to understand Allan Kardec's role. He presented himself as an organiser, not as an author: he gathered and systematised answers attributed to "Superior Spirits", obtained through several mediums, using a method of his own based on comparing questions. To learn more about this history, read our article on Allan Kardec and Spiritism.
Five basic works came out of this effort. Here they are, in the order in which they were published.
O Livro dos Espíritos (1857)
This is the work that inaugurated Spiritism. Published in Paris on 18 April 1857, it is written as questions and answers: the first edition contained about 501 items, and the definitive edition reached 1,019. It presents the general principles of the doctrine: God, the spirit and reincarnation. It is the foundation on which everything else rests.
O Livro dos Médiuns (1861)
If the first book answers "what the doctrine teaches", this one answers "how it is practised". Published in 1861, it deals with mediumistic manifestations and serves as a guide for mediums: how to understand the phenomena, how to work with them and with what care. It is the manual for the practical side of Spiritism.
O Evangelho Segundo o Espiritismo (1864)
Published in 1864, this is the work on Christian morality: the teachings of Jesus read in the light of the Spiritist doctrine. It is the source of the motto "Outside charity there is no salvation", which appears in chapter XV. Of the five, it is the one that speaks most directly to everyday life: the book of advice and personal reflection.
O Céu e o Inferno (1865)
The title draws attention, but the content may come as a surprise: published in 1865, the book deals with divine justice. According to the doctrine, it examines what happens after death and how reward and punishment are understood without the traditional heaven and hell. It is the work that faces the hardest questions with the logic of faith that Spiritism proposes.
A Gênese (1868)
The last of the basic works, from 1868, widens the horizon: it deals with the origin of the world, with miracles and with the relationship between science and faith. Here Kardec places the doctrine before the great questions of knowledge. As it is the densest of the set, we suggest leaving it for the end of the journey.
Where to start
There is no compulsory order, but here is a suggestion that tends to work well:
- O Livro dos Espíritos: start at the beginning, with the principles of everything.
- O Evangelho Segundo o Espiritismo: if you prefer the path of the heart and of morality, you can even start here; the reading flows and touches everyday life.
- O Livro dos Médiuns: when you want to understand practice and mediumship.
- O Céu e o Inferno: to explore the idea of divine justice in greater depth.
- A Gênese: last, when the earlier concepts are already well settled.
And a tip from people who organise trips for travellers of all ages: do not rush. These books were written to be studied, not devoured. One chapter a day, pen in hand, is worth more than ten chapters at once.
What the books have to do with travel
There is a way to make this reading even more vivid: visiting the places where the doctrine flourished in Brazil. The Caravana Espírita (Spiritist caravan) departing from Porto Alegre visits Uberaba, the city where Chico Xavier lived, the medium who devoted his life to psychographing books and letters of consolation. And the practices the group takes part in during the trip, such as praying together and acts of charity, are precisely the ones these works teach.
Frequently asked questions
What are the basic works of Spiritism?
There are five, all by Allan Kardec: O Livro dos Espíritos (1857), O Livro dos Médiuns (1861), O Evangelho Segundo o Espiritismo (1864), O Céu e o Inferno (1865) and A Gênese (1868).
Which Allan Kardec book should you start with?
In order of publication, O Livro dos Espíritos is the starting point, because it presents the principles. Those who prefer the moral side can start with O Evangelho Segundo o Espiritismo.
What is the motto "Outside charity there is no salvation"?
It is the motto of O Evangelho Segundo o Espiritismo, presented in chapter XV. It sums up the moral teaching of the doctrine: charity as a path of evolution.
Where was O Livro dos Espíritos published?
In Paris, on 18 April 1857, in question-and-answer form. Kardec presented himself as the organiser of the work, not as its author.
Let the reading become experience
No book replaces the experience of visiting the places of this history. The November 2026 expedition to Minas and Caldas Novas passes through the land of Chico Xavier with a group, departing from Porto Alegre, with support from start to finish. Talk to us on WhatsApp and come and live on the road what the books teach.
The world awaits you. We take care of the rest.
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