In 'Freaks of Fanaticism, and Other Strange Events,' S. Baring-Gould meticulously curates an anthology of narratives that penetrate the obscure and often misunderstood realm of religious extremism. Varied in scope, these accounts blend historical inquiry with a shrewd examination of human fallibility, mostly set against the backdrop of the intense fervor of religious devotion gone awry. Baring-Gould's compilation is not mere sensationalism; it is an erudite exploration of the darker vestiges of devoutness, underlined by a prose style that oscillates between the clinical and the passionately involved. The text serves both as a cautionary tale and a representation of nineteenth-century scholarship on aberrant psychologies within the context of spirituality. S. Baring-Gould was a man of wide learning and varied interests, not least among them theology and folkloristics. His extensive background in ecclesiastical history and the pastoral care of souls furnishes him with the insightful perspective necessary to navigate these complex stories of spiritual distortion. His own experiences and encounters with diverse forms of belief and praxis undeniably influenced his desire to document and dissect such extremes of religious fervor, illuminating the fine line between devotion and delusion. This volume is recommended for those who seek to fathom the depths to which human belief can spiral into mania. Students of history, psychology, theology, and literature will find in Baring-Gould's anthology a resource that resonates with timeless questions of faith and fanaticism. The book invites a discerning reader to wrestle with the implications of spiritual excess and to ponder the vulnerabilities inherent in our quest for meaning.