The Devil's Notebook (LaVey, Anton)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Gods Among Men
  • You've all got it wrong...
  • An Entertaining Read
  • An interesting read, no doubt. However...
  • The Best of Anton Lavey's Work
The Devil's Notebook (LaVey, Anton)
Anton Szandor LA Vey , and Anton S. Lavey
Manufacturer: Feral House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:
  1. Satanic Bible Satanic Bible
  2. Satanic Rituals Satanic Rituals
  3. Satan Speaks! (LaVey, Anton) Satan Speaks! (LaVey, Anton)
  4. The Satanic Witch (LaVey, Anton) The Satanic Witch (LaVey, Anton)
  5. Secret Life of a Satanist: The Authorized Biography of Anton Lavey (LaVey, Anton) Secret Life of a Satanist: The Authorized Biography of Anton Lavey (LaVey, Anton)

ASIN: 0922915113

Book Description

Wisdom, humor, and dark observations by the founder of the Church of Satan. LaVey ponders such topics as nonconformity, occult faddism, erotic politics, the "Goodguy badge," demoralization and the construction of artificial human companions.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Gods Among Men.......2007-09-02

Everything negative can be said about this book, even by those that read it. LaVey speaks only to very few who have a keen sense of humor, a sharp intellect, and a hearty taste for freedom. Most people need not apply for the position, and in fact, it's prefereable to everyone already inside. Purchase with care.

5 out of 5 stars You've all got it wrong..........2006-05-27

Everyone, listen. Realize that when you are talking about Satanism you need to know that it is not about conjuring "demons", killing Christians, and the "occult." It is about living your life to the fullest without any stupid religious restrictions, "rejoicing life in the carnal, the mundane, the flesh." Stop looking at it from a "Christian" point of view. This book is good, yes, but of course it's not the first book you want to get if you want to be a Satanist. If you want to do it right, GET THE SATANIC BIBLE 1st! You need to already know this. If you read The Devil's Notebook first, you won't get the right understanding. And enough of the LaVey insults. If you're a Satanist you should have more respect for the man. Nuff said.

3 out of 5 stars An Entertaining Read.......2003-10-19

This book is a collection of essays, written by Mr. (pope?) Lavey. Judging by the introduction, written by Adam Parfrey, it is some sort of tribute to him - though I am not for sure. It is good for entertainment, though not a whoooole lot else... but then again, books are a form of media, and the whole purpose of media is to entertain, so...

Alright, this is deffinatly a great read! I totally, TOTALLY loved the Diabolica, Duck-Billed Platitudes, and How to Be a God! They are all very entertaining and humorous (though I'm not sure whether or not they're supposed to be). Also, the whole book is pretty motivational for that little screaming, raving satanist in all of us.

That's about all there is to say about it. I mean, honestly, at only 147 pages, it's not a huge chunk of reading. I read it over one weekend. Not great, but not bad - not by any means bad - hence three stars.

4 out of 5 stars An interesting read, no doubt. However..........2003-05-02

I feel kind of put off, if only because I have trouble giving this work more credit, simply because I find myself wondering how much was actually LaVey's own work. Run a google search on "LaVey", and you'll come across many websites, and many articles noting the fact that ASL was apparently quite a habitual falsifier. According to testimonies, research, and official documents, much of the life LaVey played up to the public, was built around tall tales. Everything from his name, to his personal holdings, to many of his "infamous" life experiences, were all made up or heavily exaggerated (apparently much of "The Satanic Bible" was just lifted from previous works, with no credit being given to said volumes.) Not to say that he isn't still an interesting individual from a psychological standpoint- it must have taken quite a sense of character for him to build up such a lifestyle, and, maybe he did indeed have a reason for all that carrying-on? Anyways, read this book for a collection of interesting, and sometimes thought provoking essays, whether they were all written by him or not.

4 out of 5 stars The Best of Anton Lavey's Work.......2002-04-25

Greetings Everyone. Out of all of Anton Lavey's works (satanic bible, satan speaks, and the satanic witch), this book rght here, "The Devil's Notebook" (in my opinion anyway) is the best of Lavey's works. At the same time that some of the stuff in this is humorous (read chapters "Duck-Billed Platitudes", "Hatha Toilet Seat Meditaion", and "The Whoopi Cushion Shall Rise Again" for instance) most of stuff that Lavey says in this book is so true I'm surprised Lavey himself is not a perfect human being. Chapters like "on the Importance of Being Evil", "The Goodguy badge" and "Two Wrongs Make A Right" I agree with completely. You'll have to buy the book yourself and see why. Of course, I'm not actually a satanist, I'm really an atheist, so the only thing that I do not agree with in this book is all that magic and occult [stuff] that plague all of Lavey's work (I know that satanism doesn't equal to devil worship and Lavey's work doesn't mention anything about virgin sacrifices, animal mutilation or any other sick stuff that christians like to credit satanist with, for those of you that are satanist and are reading this review, so relax). Anyway, I have read other of Lavey's works. The satanic bible was okay, but it was filled with stuff that people should already know by instinct, satanist or not. The Satanic witch is just about the only piece of Lavey's work that I find repugnant and stupid. Again, in my opinion, those of you that are starting into satanism and/or never read one of Lavey's works, satanist or not, I suggest you start with this book first before you read any other material by him.
What is Goth?
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Was very entertaining.
  • I agree, no good!
  • How sad that you enjoy being identified as "Silly"
  • What is goth?
  • Voltaire has the answer
What is Goth?
Voltaire
Manufacturer: Weiser Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1578633222

Book Description

What Is Goth? is a humorous, self-deprecating look at Goth culture from the inside out. Imagine The Preppy Handbook colliding with Charles Addams. Then add a lot more melancholy and a lot more spooky.

What Is Goth? dispels the false stereotypes and reinforces the true ones surrounding Goths and Goth culture. "To the mundane," Voltaire writes, "Goths are weird, black-clad freaks who are obsessed with death; they are sad all of the time. Take a closer look at the Goth scene, however, and you will find a rich tapestry of ideas and practices and a menagerie of colorful characters. Oh, dear. I said `colorful.'"

This illustrated answer to What Is Goth? shows readers how to:

• Identify the anatomies of different kinds of Goths: CyberGoths, Rivet-Heads, Romantigoths, Goth-a-billies, and more

• Write a poem (Mad Libs style) with the Gothic Poem Generator

• Properly dance the dances of darkness: "Cobwebs in the Attic," "The Gothic Tai Chi Dance," "Pulling the Evil Taffy"

Yes, Goths are pale, wear black clothing, love black makeup (on men and women), mope, listen to real downer music, and perfect the art of living in a perpetual state of ennui and melancholy. But there's so much more to being Goth. Goths come from all walks of life. Many are teenagers who live with their parents; others are doctors, lawyers, musicians, and so on. Most Goths are highly literate and creative, but all real Goths have to dress the part. In other words, "Abandon all hope ye who enter a Goth club in khakis!"

Eerily illustrated, What Is Goth?is the perfect book for any Goth, Goth wannabe, or "mundane" who is hopelessly confused by all the gloom.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Was very entertaining........2007-07-12

As a Goth, This book did not tell me anything I did not already know. But if you're new to the "Scene" then I recommend picking it up. It gave me quite a few laughs (yes Goth's have a sence of humor) and was well worth the $5 I paid for it. The book was very small though, Not the size of a regular book. The book also had some very amusing pictures in it as well, It's only 94 pages of actual reading and only took me 20 mins. to read all the way through, But it was worth it. If you're a Goth just starting out, Or a person wanting to know more about the "Scene" than I would get this book, It's cheap, It has nice pictures, And Voltaire describes his life in it as well. Get it. Got it. Good.

2 out of 5 stars I agree, no good!.......2007-06-17

I mean..people that belong the scene can understand this book and find it funny..but this can reforce labels that most people have, goths are just teenagers playing dressing trying to get attention..com'on, you guys!!I know is nice to say to an all-black-dressed-depressed-face-poser "smile, goth!=D", but goth it's not just this remember???I think Goth Chic is still the best book
A big label that this one brings..since when being goth is just make fun of yourself and the scene, hun???
This way the serious side of the scene will die, really..nowadays in the scene, when you try to talk to someone something serious, the only thing they can do is laugh..THE ONLY..
ps:sorry any language mistakes, my first language is portuguese

1 out of 5 stars How sad that you enjoy being identified as "Silly".......2007-06-01

...and someone to be laughed at.

Yes, there are silly, silly moonbats out there who think that they are vampires (so *not* goth, ok?) as they retire to the "crypt" of mom's basement, where they will awake the next morning and eat Frosted Flakes before raking the leaves (Undead, indeed!).

But is Voltaire laughing at them? With them? At himself? Or at you?
He looks the part, he has infiltrated your world, only to mock you and profit from you.

For a true Goth who is not delusional or playing dress-up once a week at a club or school, this is offensive.

Voltaire is the ultimate poseur, and look at all of the cash that you throw at him. I salute him for turning Goth into the money making venture that the rest of us could never achieve.

Voltaire my old friend, SALUTE!

5 out of 5 stars What is goth?.......2007-04-11

Very funny first book by Voltaire. If you are a Voltaire fan,this is the book for you. Or if you want to read about the gothic scene from a fun perspective, I highly reccommend this book.

5 out of 5 stars Voltaire has the answer.......2007-02-23

Out of the numerous times I have heard the same question asked as it appears in this book's title, Voltaire is one of the few writers who has managed to give the right answer.

A witty and intelligent read, with great illustrations.
The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead (Citadel Underground)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • I Want to Take You Higher...
  • Leary's Confusion
  • Just a small correction
  • LIFE
  • A Few Corrections
The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead (Citadel Underground)
Timothy Leary
Manufacturer: Citadel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Eastern | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0806516526
Release Date: 1995-01-01

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars I Want to Take You Higher..........2007-03-16

This is Leary at his most prolific, this is an awe-inspiring book that will change the way you think about Life, Death, and LSD. This book is cleverly used to ease the apprehension of one of life's most fearful moments, the moment of death. Comparing an LSD trip to Tibetan death rituals, Leary shows us how enlightenment can be gained at all stages of life, even the final.

1 out of 5 stars Leary's Confusion.......2006-07-15

The so-called Tibetan Book of the Dead (which is literally translated "Liberation Through Hearing In-Between" - apparently first given the Book of the Dead nickname to associate it with the Egyptian Book of the Dead) is said to give 3 opportunities to gain liberation at death - if it doesn't occur with awareness of the Clear Light, then hopefully with the appearence of the 100 wrathful & peaceful deities, or finally at the very least pulling off a decent human rebirth.

Leary correctly saw the correlation of this root text with acid's stages - but linked the acid trip with the process of dying without liberation - i.e. the dead listener in the root text was not supposed to go through all 3 stages if possible. This is only Leary's first confusion in suggesting acid and the liberation mentioned in the root text are similar, as has been critiqued much later by teachers like Chogyam Trungpa.

4 out of 5 stars Just a small correction.......2006-06-20

"The Void" WAS the original working title for what became "Tomorrow Never Knows" - and was in fact the first song recorded during the Revolver sessions

5 out of 5 stars LIFE.......2006-01-01

First, to -oo0(GoldTrader)0oo-, I'd like to make a few corrections; The Beatles never did a song called 'The Void', the one you're talking about is 'Tomorrow Never Knows'. And The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, especially, were pretty big stars even before they were introduced to this (a ton of US #1 singles, fx....)

Anyway, this is a great book, & a must-have for anyone interested in the concept of LIFE (and I still don't get people who aren't). sometimes it's a bit too 'technical' (do this, do that), and Huxley's 'The Doors Of Perception' is far better in any way. But this book is still essential, and I would recommend anybody that they buy it...

3 out of 5 stars A Few Corrections.......2005-10-05

First a few corrections to ooo(Gold Trader)ooo's review just so people don't get confused with misinformation.

first-- the Beatles' song Gold Trader refers to is "Tomorrow Never Knows" on Revolver, and yes, it was obviously inspired by this book. Lennon claimed it was his only song which was actually about LSD. (Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds was about his son Julian's school drawing, according to Lennon)

second-- the Beatles were HUGE before they were ever exposed to LSD or Leary's manual, The book was written in 1964, the year Beatlemania swept the USA after being huge in Britain for over a year. That year they tried marijuana with Bob Dylan, but Lennon, who wrote "tomorrow never knows" didn't try LSD until 1965, (by accident) and sometime between then and when he wrote the song in 1966 (tomorrow never knows) is when he god clued into this book.

Another complete error already mentioned by other reviewers is about "Be Here Now" which was published in 1971, seven years after "the Psychedelic Experience." In fact, in "Be Here Now" Ram Dass talks about when Leary was writing "The Psychedelic Experience."

The internet has so many factual errors all over it, might as well correct these ones for a start.

As far as the book itself, it is quite interesting and may be of use in guiding one's experience with psychedelics. You should remember the context of this book and the times, though-- at the other pole, reacting against this extremely prescribed method of tripping was Ken Kesey with the Acid Tests, which you can read all about in Tom Wolfe's "Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test"

However, Leary's "manual" as this was, for tripping, did have a huge influence. I'd say, read this and the "Acid Test", and Ram Dass's "Be Here Now" which will let you know about some of the pros and cons of psychedelics from a very experienced tripper, then allow them all to influence your experience.

One last thing you can't forget with this "guide" is that it was written before LSD was illegal and by psychologists usuing pharmaceutical grade drugs-- not by people getting illegal drugs which they didn't know the quality or strength of. As Leary later says in the preface to "Politics of Ecstasy", the "Psychedelic Experience" and the "Psychedelic Reader" were written for a mature audience of intellectuals, not the masses of kids who would eventually try to use it.
Civilization One: The World Is Not as You Thought It Was
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Intriguing
  • simply a WOW
  • BO-RING!!!
  • Our mysterious ancestors
  • Amazing
Civilization One: The World Is Not as You Thought It Was
Christopher Knight , and Alan Butler
Manufacturer: Watkins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1842930958

Book Description

There must have been a Civilization One: a highly advanced precursor to what is currently the earliest recognized civilization. That’s the astounding revelation from a powerful duo of writers that includes the author of the bestselling The Hiram Key. Christopher Knight and Alan Butler’s startling conclusion comes from their quest to crack the mystery of the ancient "megalithic yard"—an incredibly precise unit of measurement that’s based on a deep understanding of the solar system. It seems beyond the comprehension of the supposedly unsophisticated people of Stone Age Britain, and yet not only is it visible in the thousands of megalithic structures built in Britain and France, but this measurement keeps recurring throughout nature and science. The implications of the authors’ breakthrough discovery go far beyond the idea of a super-science or prehistory: they indicate a grand plan that will have far-reading theological ramifications.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Intriguing.......2006-04-21

I have to admit I have never read a book that covered the subject of measurements used by early civilizations that come to such incredible conclussions. If the authors are right, prehistoric people knew much more about astronomy than we give them credit for. These guys definately think outside the box.

5 out of 5 stars simply a WOW.......2006-02-01

have read lots of book in this genre... hat's off to these guys... a masterwork that gives one pause to reconsider our place in history and how humankind perpetually thinks we are smarter than our ancestors... strong evidence for advanced and integrated thinkers long long ago... inspiring to say the least.

1 out of 5 stars BO-RING!!!.......2005-11-07

I am an avid reader and love topics dealing with historic mysteries, as well as other various types of fiction and non-fiction. The writing in this book just plain sucks. It is laborious to read, and makes a fascinating subject matter completely uninteresting.

In addition to poor authoring, there is the matter of the poor scientific basis. Every other point they attempt to make is stated as 'we find this to be self evident' or 'we found it reasonable to assume that'. By all rights, circumstantial evidence should have been enough to convict O.J. However, in this case, then end result is an odor similar to that of the dairy farms south of Sacramento.

4 out of 5 stars Our mysterious ancestors.......2005-07-18


This fascinating book of alternative history examines the evidence of weights and measures and comes to the conclusion that there must have been an advanced culture in prehistory. The structures of the Stone Age were built by using a very precise unit of measurement, called the megalithic yard. The book explores the science behind prehistoric units, their mathematical origin and means of reproduction, and proves that these are linked to the dimensions of the solar system.

The reader must have a basic knowledge of arithmetic but overall the book is an easy read and very revealing. Amongst the topics discussed are writing, Egypt, Sumeria, the Minoan foot, solar and sidereal days, pendulums and the importance of the planet Venus. It turns out that the British Pound and Pint are both derived from ancient measurements. The units of the hour, minute and second were developed more than 4000 years ago, from the movements of the moon.

The text also encompasses subjects like the harmony of the spheres, Sumerian degrees and the calendar, and explains that the metric system is not a recent invention. There is a section on Thomas Jefferson and his achievements; this great man apparently realized that he was rediscovering parts of a very ancient system.

Amongst the most captivating sections is the chapter on music and light. There is a definite correspondence between the rotating mass of our planet and human music. Also, megalithic mathematics produces its own musical structure. The authors conclude that there must have been an advanced people who instructed the rest of the world in science and technology. They also refer to the Masonic concept of the Great Architect of the Universe.

There are seven appendices that include further information on earth days and the megalithic year, megalithic music, the Phaistos Disc, the amazing barley seed, and the connection between megalithic principles and Freemasonry. The colour plates include approximately 20 full colour photographs and there are many black and white illustrations throughout the text. The book concludes with an index.

I also recommend Lost Civilisations Of The Stone Age by Richard Rudgley, Stone Age Soundtracks by Paul Devereux, and Forbidden Archaeology by Michael Cremo and Richard Thompson.

4 out of 5 stars Amazing.......2005-02-15

I love this book and many others that Christopher Knight has written. The ideas put forth by him add a few more pieces to the puzzle of ancient history and science. It's too bad that someone expecting the book to be about something else was compelled to rate it so badly. Not to mention someone else rating it so badly due to the fact that something else is written in the old testament. Don't just read this book hoping to find an argument; read it to gain another viewpoint and some knowledge.
The Fall: The Evidence for a Golden Age, 6,000 years of Insanity and the Dawning of a New Era
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Intriguing Ideas
  • A wonderful book
  • An excellent book to make you think
  • thought-provoking
  • inspiring
The Fall: The Evidence for a Golden Age, 6,000 years of Insanity and the Dawning of a New Era
Steve Taylor
Manufacturer: O Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1905047207

Book Description

The Fall is a major work that overturns mainstream current thinking on the nature of civilization and human nature. It draws on the increasing evidence accumulated over recent decades that prehistoric humanity was peaceful and egalitarian, rather than war-like and crude. It is not natural for human beings to kill each other, for men to oppress women, for individuals to accumulate massive wealth and power, or to abuse nature. The worldwide myths of a Golden Age or an original paradise have a factual, archaeological basis.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Intriguing Ideas.......2007-09-04

The Fall contains many intriguing ideas about why humnanity is in the situation in which we find ourselves. Taylor reminds us, thankfully, that all the misery encountered by so many people in the course of their lives is just plan wrong. It does not have to be.

I would suspect that many of his ideas would be challenged by other scholars and a discussion of his theories would be most interesting.

The Fall is quite repetitive in places. I would have liked to have read how Taylor thinks we can have a more compassionate peaceful society on a global scale with more than 6 billion people alive today.

5 out of 5 stars A wonderful book.......2006-05-27

I bought this book after reading Eckhart Tolle's endorsement: "A fascinating and important book on the origin, development and the imminent demise of the ego...Highly readable and enlightening, as the author's acute mind is imbued with the higher faculty of spiritual awareness." Eckhart Tolle's books have changed my life so I was sure this book would be important for me too, and haven't been wrong. I've read it through over the last three days and feel also though my whole outlook on the world has been altered. This book is a complete revisioning of human history from a spiritual point of view, seeing human history in terms of the development of the ego, looking at how the ego has given rise to thousands of years of violence and oppression. Taylor looks in turn at warfare, male domination, social inequality, alienation from the body, abuse of the natural world and so on, showing how the over-developed sense of ego produces these problems.

The book makes the important point - using a massive range of research - that earlier human beings and many of the world's native peoples - did not have our strong sense of self or ego and so were free from all of this disorder. The book's depiction of how the insanity of so much human behaviour is produced by the ego is riveting and extremely impressive. After reading this there is no way you can look at "normal" human behaviour in the same way. Taylor makes it absolutely clear that what we consider as normal is, in many ways, insane. And just as impressively, Taylor puts together an extremely good case for the idea that we are beginning to transcend the insanity of the ego and moving into a new era. This is one of those books which makes you look at the world in a new light, and gives you inspiration and hope for the future. Somehow it gives me the inspiration to try to fight for a better world, to contribute to the collective change which is taking place, and rekindle the state of harmony which the human race has lost.








5 out of 5 stars An excellent book to make you think.......2006-05-22

I loved Steve Taylor's lucid account of why he thinks the world is in such a bad way, how we got to be in this sorry state and how we can get out of it. It skillfully blends history, psychology, sociology and spirituality to produce a book that is not only thought provoking and enlightening but also enjoyable to read. Despite the potentially depressing nature of the issues covered, Steve Taylor manages to remain positive and provide solutions for a way forward to a better world. This is an uplifting book and recommended to anyone searching for answers to difficult questions.

5 out of 5 stars thought-provoking.......2006-05-03

Steve Taylor manages to come up with a seemingly obvious but until now neglected theory about human nature and the development of civilisation. He analyses not only where we went wrong historically but also where we are still going wrong today. Our intensified sense of ego distorts the way we behave, as does the establishment of a culture that rewards selfishness, aggressiveness and the whole me-me-me I-want-it-now childishness that embodies the modern world. He says what a lot of people (including me) have been thinking for a while. If there is war, oppression and hunger in the world - how did it get here? And can we ever change? Steve Taylor suggests some fascinating answers to these questions. I was impressed enough to give up my job and house and go and live in a field growing my own vegetables... well, maybe not yet.

5 out of 5 stars inspiring .......2006-05-03

This is an inspiring and thought-provoking book. The author offers a completely new way of looking at the human race's past, and a new way of explaining all of the madness in human nature. It covers thousands of years of history and even looks into the human race's future, but is always extremely readable and even entertaning. It tries to explain almost too much - the origins of war, religion, male domination and so on - but it all makes sense it terms of theories he puts forward. All of these "pathologies" are seen as the consquence of our over-developed sense of ego. Underyling the whole book there is a sense of the spiritual, a vision of a possible state of harmony and meaning beyond our present traumas.

Book of Lies: The Disinformation Guide to Magick and the Occult
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • HEy
  • Quite the Shock
  • Acidhuman
  • The One They REALLY Don't Want You to Read
  • Fantastic!!
Book of Lies: The Disinformation Guide to Magick and the Occult

Manufacturer: Disinformation Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 097139427X

Book Description

Disinformation's "wicked warlock" Richard Metzger gathers an unprecedented cabal of modern occultists, -magicians, and forward thinkers in the latest in the series of the large format Disinformation Guides. Just as Russ Kick's three Guides focusing on secrets and lies from the mainstream media, government, and other establishment institutions rethought what a political science book could look like and whom it would appeal to, Book of Lies redefines occult anthologies, packaging and presenting a huge array of magical essays for a pop culture audience. Just some of the contents:

An introduction by comics genius Grant Morrison, who also contributes a three-part article on Pop Magick.
Mark Pesce, author of The Playful World, compares computer programming and spellcasting.
Genesis P-Orridge, father of Industrial Music and Rave culture explains how samples in a rave song can have magical consequences.
Paul Laffoley discusses his magical artistic strategies (Metzger compares Laffoley to Merlin the Magician).
Magical Thinking-an extended excerpt from Daniel Pinchbeck's Breaking Open the Head.
William Burroughs and the occult.
Nevill Drury, Australia's most noted occult writer, tells of Dion Fortune, Austin Spare, and Rosaleen Norton.
Why Does Aleister Crowley Still Matter?
Donald Tyson's "The Enochian Apocalypse Working." Were the seeds of the end of the world sown in the Elizabethan era?.
The first ever biographical essay on Marjorie Cameron, the fascinating character from Los Angeles' occult and beatnik scene.
Hitler and the occult-Peter Levenda interview by Tracy Twyman.
Robert Temple on how his book The Sirius Mystery's, controversial thesis (for which he was ridiculed) was proven by the Hubble telescope twenty-five years late.
An exclusive Anton LaVey interview by Michael Moynihan, author of best-selling book Lords of Chaos.
Erik Davis, author of Techgnosis, looks at H. P. -Lovecraft's Magick Realism.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars HEy.......2007-05-16

The time you told me that the book its going to arrive passed 6 dayss ago and theres no notice of my book... i want to know what happened... really, i want an answer for that.
Seriously...

4 out of 5 stars Quite the Shock.......2006-04-16

Because I consider it my duty to buy any book with the words "Magick" or "Occult" in the title, I picked this one up against my better judgement. On the whole, my initial fears were that this would be cartoonish, poorly written and obtuse. Even the name, cribbed from one of Aleister Crowley's works, worried me. That being said, I am very lucky that I purchased this book anyway.

Richard Metzger, the compiler and editor of this collection, has done the occult world a great service by bringing together this series of articles and publishing them in one soft cover. Containing the works of authors such as William S. Burroughs, Aleister Crowley, Anton LaVey, Timothy Leary, Donald Tyson and Robert Anton Wilson, this collection isn't any sort of theoretical discussion of magic. What you'll find here instead is a series of examples from fairly famous people who have actually practiced magic.

Many people who've been practicing or living magically for some time will still have a lot to learn from this book, just as I did. The examples are eye-opening in some cases, and at the very least thought-provoking in others. I often found myself saying "Wow... I've never thought of doing it THAT way."

My only real objection is the heavy emphasis on the use of illegal and illicit drugs. I understand that the use of these substances has been linked very closely with the occult, especially in the United States, but the way this book seems to promote the use of these substances upsets me. Still, there are enough examples of magic without drugs to satisfy my tastes.

All in all the book is very well put together, with a lot of detail, good editing and nice illustrations and pictures. I whole-heartedly recommend it to students of magic from intermediate to advanced. Beginner's might want to get a little more grounding before experimenting with some of these ideas, though. Good luck!

5 out of 5 stars Acidhuman.......2006-02-10

"Richard Metzger opened the drug fetus's industrial BDSM play into the abolition world and transplanted the era respiration-byte sending program of the acidhuman body encoder to the digital chimpanzee's cerebral cortex." - Kenji Siratori, author of Blood Electric

5 out of 5 stars The One They REALLY Don't Want You to Read.......2005-12-19

If the occultophobes of the world had any sense, they would leave the Harry Potter series alone and forget all about it. THIS is the book they should be trying to burn.

Book of Lies: The Disinformation Guide to Magick and the Occult is a collection of essays and articles by leading voices in the occult world. A total of 40 written pieces take up roughly 350 pages here. A small sampling of these includes Phil Hine on magickal initiation, Donald Tyson on the Enochian Apocalypse, and Boyd Rice on the connections between the Biblical Leviathan and the mythic Dagon.

An entire section is devoted to the infamous Aleister Crowley, his life's work, and those who took his ideas and ran with them. Fiction writer Grant Morrison (The Invisibles) delivers his philosophy on modern magickal practice as a lifestyle. Erik Davis discusses the fiction of H.P. Lovecraft and its significance to the practicing occultist. Tau Allen Greenfield debunks the popular history of Wicca, and P.R. Koening exposes the fraudulent "Caliphate" Ordo Templi Orientis.

This book reprints an interview with late Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey by author/musician Michael Moynihan (Lords of Chaos, Blood Axis) and Dr. Stephen Flowers's essay "The Secret of the Gothick God of Darkness." Only Robert Mason's article on the "Ahriman Consciousness" seems strangely out of place; it reads more like a vaugely Christianized version of David Icke's conspiracy theories than the work of a practicing magician.

Be advised this is not a "spellbook" as such; a few articles give practical advice for starting points and point the way to futher study, but the book as a whole is an exhibit, not a seminar. But it's a very well-assembled and stimulating exhibit; read it to learn, evaluate, and be inspired.

Young readers or newcomers to this area of interest may be surprised to learn here there is much more to the world of magick than astrology, Wicca, and themed-deck Tarot cards. This book is a joy in that it not only acknowleges the existence of a darker, more volitile side to the occult, but gives it legitimate coverage beyond a cursory two-sentance summary in dismissive, generalized terms. This is not commericalized, superficial reading. No Three-Fold Law. No love spells, vampire poetry or tips for naming your "familiar" (cat). This is a challenging and colorful showcase that gives a small sampling of the forbidden knowledge shamans of the Lost Age knew firsthand and embroyonic quantum science is only beginning to point to. Get your copy now... before the book burners do.

5 out of 5 stars Fantastic!!.......2005-06-27

This book, unlike Metzger's MISERABLE TV series is a joy to have. If you are a person open to the idea of alternate realities then you will find some of the best speakers from that fringe world here. You should not think of this as a typical "disinfo" offering such as "You Are Being Lied Too". This material would more easily be imagined as a series of essays along the lines of subject matter Robert Anton Wilson might discuss. Much of it deals in one way or another with magick and alternate mind states.
13: The Story of the World's Most Notorious Superstition
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Very superficial almost anecdotal research.
  • A Pervasive Superstion's History
  • Well-researched Reportage
  • A lively survey of the quirky foundations of the number 13
  • A definitive volume
13: The Story of the World's Most Notorious Superstition
Nathaniel Lachenmeyer
Manufacturer: Plume
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0452284961

Book Description

Triskaidekaphobia: fear of the number 13

If thirteen people sit down at a table, will one die within a year? Why did five U.S. presidents join the Thirteen Club? What is the only major New York hotel that has a thirteenth floor?

In 13, a fascinating cultural history-cum-detective story, Nathaniel Lachenmeyer gets to the root of how one superstition—the fear of the number 13—developed among wildly divergent societies. A book about mythmaking, 13 explores why people believe what they believe, and the real reason Friday the 13th is the most unlucky day in the world.

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars Very superficial almost anecdotal research........2005-09-06

I had to look at the table of contents to make sure that the book the other reviewers rated so highly was the same one that I'm reading now. I'm only finishing it because I compulsively have to complete what I start. I picked up the book while browsing in a bookstore. After recently reading "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife, I was really in the mood for the history of meaningful numbers. Whereas "Zero" was a comprehensively researched piece that discussed the importance of 0 through history and science, this book reads like a high school research paper. The level of research is very shallow, including book sources that are relatively recent, newspaper articles, the internet, anecdotal telephone conversations, and even A&E programs -- nothing that couldn't be found in your local public library. It is essentially a (light) discussion of 13 in modern American culture. For a book subtitled "The Story of the World's Most Popular Superstition," it rarely discusses the number's significance in other cultures, countries or eras.

I find it hard to believe that anyone actually published this book. The first chapter was completely unnecessary, and after the second chapter, everything else is redundant or fluff. I'm very disappointed. While the book is interesting, it in no way compares to the level of research and analysis that I so enjoyed in Zero.

5 out of 5 stars A Pervasive Superstion's History.......2005-03-24

We live in a scientifically advanced world, but every time Friday the thirteenth comes around, people notice it. They may shrug it off as silly, but they continue to think that the day has some special portent, and most people think that the tradition goes back centuries. One of the many surprises in _13: The Story of the World's Most Popular Superstition_ (Thunder's Mouth Press) by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer is that although the superstition that the number 13 is unlucky has a substantial history, superstition attached specifically to Friday the thirteenth is no older than the twentieth century. Lachenmeyer's book is an enjoyable tour looking at the different 13 superstitions (there are many of them), trying to make historic sense of why people have adopted this number as some sort of portentous sign. Lachenmeyer came to the subject by chance, reading an article in an old scrapbook about the Thirteen Club, but has never had any particular feeling toward the number: "To me, 13 has always been just a number. I have never believed that 13 is unlucky or been tempted to thumb my nose at fate and make it my lucky number (I don't have one)." He is not a triskaidekaphobe (13 fearer) or triskaidekaphile (13 lover), but there are plenty of both, especially the former, in these pages. In some ways, they have formed parts of the world as we now know it.

Friday the thirteenth is just the most popular, and modern, manifestation of superstitions connected to thirteen, but there is no evidence that thirteen was considered unlucky before the seventeenth century. It first was written about in 1695, in a story involving a dinner at which thirteen were seated around the table. The superstition that one of the thirteen diners would die within the year became strongest during the nineteenth century. It may have had its roots in the idea that thirteen at the table at the Last Supper proved to be bad luck for two of them. There is a hero in Lachenmeyer's book, Captain William Fowler, a Civil War veteran who had fought in thirteen battles in the war, and in a clubbable age, belonged to thirteen social clubs. He aimed to tempt fate if fate there be; in 1881 in New York, he started a new club which would meet on the thirteenth of each month and sit thirteen to a table. This was not enough for Fowler; members had to walk under ladders, face spilled portions of salt, and so on. No one dining at tables of thirteen had any particular ill-luck, and it is quite probably that Fowler helped do away with this version of the superstition. A new version emerged after the publication of a book _Friday, the Thirteenth_, in 1907; unlucky Fridays and unlucky thirteen had not previously been linked, but they were almost immediately after this bestseller, and in 1971, a horror film originally titled _Long Night at Camp Blood_, was renamed _Friday the 13th_ to imitate the calendrically popular _Halloween_. The franchise has spawned ten sequels so far, and the Friday version of the thirteen superstition may have a longer life than the dinner version.

In this entertaining examination of a particular superstition, Lachenmeyer shows that the 13 superstition has come and gone in different versions in the past, and undoubtedly will stay with us, and in newer forms. It is a scary world out there, and for many of us, there are forces at work that we cannot feel or see or understand, but we can feel we are taking some control against the chaos by taking out a small insurance policy. Avoiding thirteens is relatively easy, and those who practice it can always maintain that it is better to be safe than sorry. As Lachenmeyer writes, "Reason governs a much smaller domain in the world of ideas than we are accustomed to acknowledging." This may be so, but his clear-eyed examination of this small aspect of human behavior can only make the domain larger.

4 out of 5 stars Well-researched Reportage.......2005-03-17

There are probably scads and scads of books like 13. I've seen them in libraries and used book stores. They are books that take on one topic and mine it for endless anecdotes and historical curios, but they don't claim that by looking through the prism of the topic at hand, a reader can discern the entire arc of human history. The books are about what they are about, and all you need to do as a reader is sit back and be entertained and informed. John McPhee, who is very good at this sort of thing, once wrote a book entirely about Oranges, for example. Nathaniel Lachenmeyer does this sort of thing well, too. His book is an impeccably researched look at an old superstition. With every turn of the page the reader is presented with another odd relic that Lachenmeyer has dug up for our perusal: the existence of popular superstition-defying "13 clubs" at the beginning of the 20th century, for example. And onward the book moves through Friday the 13th, the missing 13th floor, and all the rest. Taken as a whole, the book is a nifty piece of well-researched reportage bringing to light the many murky progenitors of this now commonplace superstition.

5 out of 5 stars A lively survey of the quirky foundations of the number 13.......2005-02-07

Blend fine historical insights with a fun survey of present-day phobic reactions to the number 13 from the stock market to missing skyscraper floors, and you have Nathaniel Lachenmeyer's 13: The Story Of The World's Most Popular Superstition, a lively survey of the quirky foundations of the number 13, which considers 13 unlucky 13s from 13 perspectives in 13 chapters. Uncovering superstition's origins assumes a lively theme, right down to the book's quirky price, resulting from an unusual add in digits.

5 out of 5 stars A definitive volume.......2005-01-11

I can understand some of the obsession around a particular number, since the college I attended has a longtime fascination with "47", and alumni use the number as a way to secretly identify each other. Nathaniel Lachenmeyer's "13", even at a manageable 200 pages, is a very thorough encyclopedia on the number 13. It's filled with facts, history, anecdotes, and period illustrations. I enjoyed reading it. Sometimes I just opened it to different pages and learned new things. It turns out there's an actual word to describe a morbid fear of the number 13: "Triskaidekaphobia". And I always wondered why none of the hotels in New York have a 13th floor (well, except for the Waldorf-Astoria, apparently). You'll have to read the book to find out for yourself why that is. "13" is a pleasant, interesting read, and a great gift.
Satan Speaks! (LaVey, Anton)
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Another of Satan's Spiderwebs
  • Ehhhh
  • Chicken Soup for the Atheist and Misanthropic Soul.
  • Nice little collection of essays from good 'ol Uncle Anton
  • For completists only
Satan Speaks! (LaVey, Anton)
Anton Szandor LA Vey , Anton Szandor Lavey , and Marilyn Manson
Manufacturer: Feral House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  5. Secret Life of a Satanist: The Authorized Biography of Anton Lavey (LaVey, Anton) Secret Life of a Satanist: The Authorized Biography of Anton Lavey (LaVey, Anton)

ASIN: 0922915660

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Another of Satan's Spiderwebs.......2004-09-02

If you decide to review Anton's "The Satanic Bible" this would be
an interesting read as well. It gives a further look into Anton's mindset and Frame of Reference. I found him to be a bit morose in his thinking and outlook. Anton's opinion is only one opinion on social commentary - which he was entitled to his opinion. Not everyone would agree with him - but he does make a few good points however. I don't find him totally off base in his thoughts. For the record - Anton did not invent the Church of Satan much against what some would like to believe - A little Research on the subject might suggest different. Bringing it into a more socially acceptable/public forum light might be more accurate. Satan likes and thrives on the uninformed and Satanic Prophets like Anton. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

1 out of 5 stars Ehhhh.......2004-06-11

This book does contain a few good perspectives and essays, but I wouldn't waste my time. When I say a few, I mean a few. The further and further I got into the book, the less impressed I was with LaVey, and the more I considered him a JOKE. Just tonight, I read a whole list of LaVey's lies - on the churchofsatan.org website nonetheless! But anyways, this book sucks. Check out some Nietzsche or Crowley instead.

3 out of 5 stars Chicken Soup for the Atheist and Misanthropic Soul........2003-09-12

You'll find LaVey's cynicism and dark humor intact in this book. This book is a fun read and isn't as bullet holed as his other work with LaVey's spiritually non-spiritual philisophy. Nice one-liners that can be woven into your own conversation and make you the silver tongued golden boy of your counter culture social cliche'. LaVey's life is filled with controversy, lies, and mild delusion. Truth being untold over his decades of involvement with CoS. Truth being lost to his grave. Truth likely being lost years before his own death. This is LaVey's last work and it's like he knows it. It's an interesting look at a man, without a god to answer to, facing his death.

4 out of 5 stars Nice little collection of essays from good 'ol Uncle Anton.......2003-02-14

Published after his death, Anton LaVey's Satan Speaks does not focus on one immediate subject; but is instead a collection of essays from the founder of the Church of Satan on late 20th century culture. Such passages contain LaVey's rants on child abuse, connections between a Satanist and a Jew, abortion, and my favorite, the laugh out loud "Don't Bathe" which features LaVey's rampant celebration of body odor. Although it seems that most of Satan Speaks is more self indulged than any of LaVey's other works, it is still a great read nonetheless, and the bits of dark humor throughout will guarantee a chuckle or two out of any Satanist or fan of LaVey's work.

3 out of 5 stars For completists only.......2003-02-02

The essays which make up the book "Satan Speaks" were written by Anton Szandor LaVey as his life drew to a close. His life would be considered exhausting by any standard, and in reading "Satan Speaks" his fatigue was apparent. Gone is the revolutionary spirit that went into "The Satanic Bible" and, to a slightly lesser degree, "The Devil's Notebook." It is largely replaced by crabbiness and an almost pathetic attempt at justifying his existence. For example, in the essay, "My Enemy" LaVey bemoans the fact that he can no longer by an ice cream cone for a nickle because of other people's greed. Where is the LaVey who called greed a Satanic virtue? Other essays seem to be aimed at puffing himself up as THE figure of evil. In a list of self-quotes he applauds himself for being the only person to codify Satanic thought. Was he expecting thanks for doing so doing so? Wasn't vain and empty self-promotion one of the things he heckled the Christian church for?

Despite this, "Satan Speaks" does offer some excellent essays. One essay on invisibility gives a free lesson in practical magic. Another titled "Sleepers, Scarcity and Orphans" articulately champions the cause of maintaining individual identity against the forces of mediocrity. In short, this isn't a bad book, but it is an inconsistent one. If one is simply curious about the founder of the church of Satan, I recommend "The Devil's Notebook." For serious students there is "The Satanic Bible." I can only recommend "Satan Speaks" to those who feel the need to read everything LaVey wrote.
Sacred Vine of Spirits: Ayahuasca
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Well worth the read
Sacred Vine of Spirits: Ayahuasca

Manufacturer: Park Street Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1594770530
Release Date: 2005-12-03

Book Description

A compilation of writings on the chemical, biological, psychological, and experiential dimensions of Ayahuasca

• Includes 24 firsthand accounts of Ayahuasca experiences and resulting life changes, including contributions from J. C. Callaway, Charles S. Grob, and Dennis J. McKenna

• Discusses the medical and psychological applications of Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic Amazonian plant mixture that has been used for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years by native Indian and mestizo shamans in Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador for healing and divination. Many Western-trained physicians and psychologists have acknowledged that this substance can allow access to spiritual dimensions of consciousness, even mystical experiences indistinguishable from classic religious mysticism.

In Sacred Vine of Spirits: Ayahuasca Ralph Metzner, a pioneer in the study of consciousness, has assembled a group of authoritative contributors who provide an exploration of the chemical, biological, psychological, and experiential dimensions of ayahuasca. He begins with more than 20 firsthand accounts from Westerners who have used ayahuasca and then presents the history, psychology, and chemistry of ayahuasca from leading scholars in the field of psychoactive research. He concludes with his own findings on ayahuasca, including its applications in medicine and psychology, and compares the worldview revealed by ayahuasca visions to that of Western cultures.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Well worth the read.......2006-01-27

Ralph Metzner's book Ayahuasca: Human Consciousness and the Spirits of Nature (1st edition) and Sacred Vine of Spirits: Ayahuasca (2nd edition) is an excellent overview of modern conceptions of Ayahuasca and where and how they originated.

The book starts off with a brief history of the available data on this most powerful of entheogens. Next Metzner delves into modern trip reports of the experience by mostly well-to-do professionals, doctors, psychiatrists, etc. In this section, the book does tend to get a little fluffy and new agey in its descriptions. Here, too, I was disappointed that he did not offer/include indigenous descriptions of the experience.

While at first this book had difficulty drawing me in, it wasn't until the end of the trip reports section, probably around page 150, that a startling story, so identical to one of my own, really grabbed my attention into the book as a whole. The stories previous to this one were also similar to my own, as I have seen the snakes, etc., myself, however the other stories often didn't draw me in as this one in particular had as it twisted around my soul like a boa.

About 2/3 into the book it becomes clear why Metzner has chosen these particular stories. He uses the stories to show a sort of universal archetypal imagery found within the experiences as well as using them to show the overall personal benefits and healings gained by each individual's direct experiences with the sacred brew. He makes especially clear the importance of "la purga" or the purge, which are the effects of Ayahuasca to cause vomiting to cleanse the body and soul. However, I questioned if this was done while possibly omitting negative reports, not of trips, but of Kanaima related issues (see Dr. Neil Whitehead). Though I must admit that my own numerous experiences were indeed along the same lines of self-recognition and self-responsibility laid out in the work.

Next Metzner calls on the famed Dr. Dennis McKenna to break down the chemistry and history of Ayahuasca, as McKenna with his brother Terence were pioneers in the research on DMT and Ayahuasca. Next Metzner calls on Dr. Charles Grob and Dr. J.C. Callaway to give an excellent (yet self limited) history on Ayahuasca from its studies to its effects on human psychological behavior, drug addiction, etc. Finally he ends the book with a well thought out and in some places admittedly speculative conclusion on the possibilities to the fulfilling of human consciousness on a Gaian or global scale.

Not the most profound read, but well worth the read. I'd give it a strong 4.5 star. A necessary addition to any ethnopharmacological library. However, I should mention that the best material is said to be The Antipodes of the Mind : Charting the Phenomenology of the Ayahuasca Experience by Dr. Benny Shanon. I will point out that I have not had the chance to read Shanon's book yet, but it has come highly recommended by many leading experts in the field and is on the top of my to read list. Shanon is published by Oxford.
Cosmic Grooves-Aries: Your Astrological Profile and the Songs that Define You (Cosmic Grooves)
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    Cosmic Grooves-Aries: Your Astrological Profile and the Songs that Define You (Cosmic Grooves)
    Jane Hodges
    Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

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    ASIN: 0811830578

    Book Description

    Are you "Hot Blooded"? A "Ramblin' Man"? "Do You Believe in Magic"? This exciting new series sheds fresh light on the power of the stars. Rhino Records, the leader of great music retrospective collections, and Chronicle Books have come together to assemble this astrological extravaganza. Colorful and vibrant, each of the twelve packages (one for every sign of the zodiac) contains a book as well as a tell-it-like-it-is CD with songs reflecting characteristics of that sign. If it's written in the stars, it's written in these pages--everything from personality assessment to insight into the work, home, style, health, and love arenas. Heed the valuable advice for avoiding potential relationship fiascos (Capricorns and Aries: steer clear!) and learn from references to famous couples. Discover why the Libra/Aquarius couple John Lennon and Yoko Ono came together blissfully while the volatile Scorpio/Sagittarius duo of Ike and Tina turner sent sparks flying. All this and more, plus a personalized CD that will have the sentimental Cancer reflecting on "This Magic Moment" by the Drifters and the honest and sincere Virgo jamming out to Aretha Franklin's "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing." Cosmic Grooves is not only an astrological guide to life but also the soundtrack for the journey

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    1. The End of Victory Culture: Cold War America and the Disillusioning of a Generation
    2. The Keepers: An Alien Message for the Human Race
    3. The Last Season
    4. The New American Story
    5. The New American Story
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