Product Description

This is a companion volume to Aleister Crowley's celebrated "Magick" and is subtitled "An Autobiography".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #404130 in Books
• Published on: 1989-04-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 984 pages

Customer Reviews

Aleister Crowley - Complete!
This work successfully combines a myriad elements: travelogue, biography (of numerous flamboyant characters of the time from artists, writers and poets to athletes and pioneers) philosophy, social commentary and I daresay sections not out of place in the Guinness Book of Records too! Crowley himself, an indomitable character, through all his failings feels like a companion and friend throughout the course of this substantial work. Keen to impart his incomparible knowledge on so many subjects, he was erudite and insightful with a cutting wit. Although far from laconic in style, I find this piece of literature all the more personable for the wonderfully picturesque digressions: after all this is not an impersonal documentary, it's his life, and what a life. Remarkable. If you're even in the minutest way interested in Crowley or the era, you've gotta get this book.

Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.
Crowley confesses all. It does require a modicum of ambition to start a book of almost 1000 pages, but this autohagiography certainly has a magical moment or two. You may be surprised that it is not all about the Master Therion's magical career; it also details his mountaineering exploits, travels, philosophy, political intrigue, illnesses and upbringing. In the early stages one is shown Crowley's deep seated shcizophrenia (read it and find out!) if you will forgive the euphemism... I was most interested in the Magick contained and was not dissapointed. Crowley has not duplicated his efforts by detailing the rituals - these are adequately described in other books. The illustrations, although not in colour, are many. I do think it requires at least two readings to grasp; such is the level of its variety. See the life of the great man. Ironically the feeling I got from at the end of it was that Crowley was just an ordinary man, after all.

a wild and extraordinary ride...and climb!
It is a wild book!...no doubt. This man did have a broad imagination and quite a life...he was definately insane! But..what a story...acid halucinations never were told any better. The book of the law and Thelema; stories for the kids of today ( in the news of lately)...do as thou wilt...nice thought...but most of us do have morals and consciences (and more to do with our time). He certainly thought an awful lot of himself...good thing someone did...But, all in all a great read - fiction doesn't come much better!