Product Description
Author: Jerry JohnstonPublisher: W Pub. GroupPublication Date: Language: EnglishFormat: HardcoverISBN-10: 0849906687ISBN-13: 9780849906688Product ID: EPID1292710 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Literature for Parents to read..One True Must.
First of all this is A Christian Book that talks about this evil madness known as Satanism and Wiccan magic. This is excellent literature for parents who want to read and know about many past youths who were summoning demons, or actually to be more direct-summoning the Devil. The stories are interesting because they give one [the parent] a glimpse to what most youngsters do in a Satanic ritual[e.g., black mass, eating black waffers, and drinking black wine, October 31(halloween) and having orgies with women occult members. This is knowledge that parents need to know so they can be aware and prevent such madness from ever occurring/entering in the lives of their kids. I believe that Jerry Johnston is a Christian...that is good, and the foreward of the book is written by Journalist Geraldo Rivera. This book is low priced, but the information is so valuable. Topics such as these were talked about on the talk shows back in the 80's but todays movement or beliefs is one of being politically correct that topics such as the Devil are ignored and they should not be. This is a must for the Muslim, Christian, and the Secular parent.Satanism is alive and so is the Devil-this is no fantasy, this is all evil so becareful. Book is highly recommended. And to the review that says heavy metal is not satanic, it is. Most of those members worship the Devil but they just mask their lyrics.

Because there's not a zero star rating
This book is pure, 100% grade A baloney. The "signs that your child might be a Satanist" are so broad that they apply to the vast majority of teens everywhere, and the list of supposed "Satanic" symbols in the back of the book is absolutely ludicrous -- watch out for those evil circles!

There are no Satanic verses imbedded in heavy metal records.

So-called "backward masking" doesn't exist.

There is no vast Satanic conspiracy that kidnaps and ritually sacrifices thousands of people every year.

Role-playing games and board games are not "gateway drugs" into Devil-worship and Satanic groups (which don't exist anyway -- see above).

Save your money. Buy Jeffrey Victor's "Satanic Panic" instead and educate yourself with some real facts, not pompous, overblown scare tactics. ... Read more

Product Description
In Satanism, Bob Larson examines the pervasive influence of Satanic activity of youth. More than a simple overview of the dangers, this book provides practical ways to recognize and combat Satanism, Ghoulish games, horror films, black metal music, drugs--Larson gives a clear understanding of the evil surrounding us. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (44)

The author is scarier than the thought of Satanism
I read this when I was pretty young and raised in a rather conservative house. My parents were mildly protective and happily agreed to get the book for me when I saw it in a used bookstore. At the time I thought it was really interesting and feared for America's youth. How could we save ourselves when Dungeons and Dragons and a Ghostbusters video game are out there to corrupt us?

Well I found it again and re-read it. Wow. I was pretty naive back then to fall for something like this. I've never seen such a highly paranoid author who had the guts to put some incredibly poor beliefs into written word.
Just teach your kids yourself to be good people. Don't let hacks like this do it for you. If you see it on the shelf, just keep browsing.

I can't make this stuff up
I do wish I had this book in front of me so I could quote, word for word, the only segment I clearly remember (the rest of it being so ridiculous that I haven't read it again since), but I don't so I'm afraid I can only paraphrase it. Be aware that I can't make this stuff up; that would be perpetuating a falsehood, and I don't wish to do the same thing the author has done.

In one section of the book, author Bob Larson is interviewing an avowed Satanist. The Satanist makes some comment that Larson, in the narration, mentally responds to with, "He was using a classic tactic of those who have no logical argument to make--changing the subject. I wouldn't fall for it." The conversation continues, and the Satanist makes another comment that Larson dislikes. Larson mentally responds to this with, "It was bait, and I knew it. I did the only logical thing to do. I changed the subject."

I could not make this stuff up. Read the book yourself if you don't believe me. How Larson couldn't even see his own hypocrisy here is beyond me. One rule for him, a different one for those he disagrees with? I kid you not; I wouldn't want to.

This is just one example of many of the author's own massive illogic in this book. The writing is full of gross misassumptions, overgeneralizations, and downright falsehoods. I can't say I get the impression he's lying--I do think he believes in what he's writing--but at the very least he's really misguided and needs to learn more about the subject he's covering. For starters, how about interviewing more Satanists and actually getting to know them as people, especially ones who are NOT criminals? (I believe the one mentioned above was in prison. Would Larson have been interested in interviewing more law-abiding Satanists for his book? Probably not, as that would negate his arguments.) This review is coming from somebody who DOES believe in such things as ritual abuse, to an extent (not the massive "Satanic conspiracy" extent, but I believe it could happen), so that tells you how truly bad the book must be.

I recommend the book if you want to be amused or get a glimpse into the mindset of authors like Larson; I don't recommend it if you tend to get riled up by overgeneralizations and downright myths, as I tend to do; I also remember I filled my own copy up with penciled arguments against what the author was saying. Personal flaw of mine; good thing it wasn't a library book.

I rate it a two and not a one as 1. it's vaguely entertaining, as someone else pointed out, and 2. I'm sure there are worse works out there, you know, books advocating committing criminal acts or some such.

This is the Yishua
We're gonna go ahead and give you a code red. I'm a five star general. There is no love on the barracks! He's stuck in the middle ages; that's how the middle ages ended was with Luther's 95 Theses. Bob Larson is very poor. I inherited like 40 million dollars from Anabaptists centuries ago and live in a mansion. Wake up. Most of these people are in the military. I'm a Marine. Code red!!!

clueless
guys like this do more to drive people away from christianity than sensationalists like marilyn manson or anton laveyy could ever have done in their entire careers. by shrieking against a pop culture that is not aimed at him or for him, and assuming, ignorantly, that this equates to evil, or in this case, actual satanism, simply makes him look like an idiot and a clueless old jerk railing in the wind about 'these kids these days!...'. the worst kind ofidiocy and proof for those looking to find the kind of judgemental, close minded, ignorant ranting in Christian circles, and in one fell swoop undoes decades of reaching out to youth and attempts at good will that more moderate, intelligent folks have done. if it were possible to give this guy negative stars, i would. useless, wrong, not just poorly researched, but NOT researched...assumptions are made from base statements regarding lyrics and second and third hand accounts thaqt are clearly either incorrectly perceived or just made up of whole cloth. ironically, this book is a great deal more sinful than the material larson rails about in the pages, breaking one of the Ten Commandments, 'thou shalt not bear false witness...'. when he attaches his own wrong claims to a pop cultuure that is clearly not 'eee-villll!'

not only is this a waste of money and space for anyone who buys it, it is a waste of paper and time from the publishers, and anyone who reads this will be LESS informed, and possibly less intelligent, after reading it. quite a feat.

Denounce Satan...worship the Almighty Dollar instead
This is just yet another piece of dreck designed to cash in on the mid-80s "Satanic Panic", and I question Larson's motives, considering the facts uncovered by Cornerstone magazine in their expose of him:

- Much of the story in Larson's novel "Dead Air" was actually done by ex-Bob Larson Ministries staffer Lori Boespflug, yet it's presented solely as Larson's own
- Despite a claim to have "saved thousands", a scheduled visit to Larson's Denver offices by Cornerstone's Mike Hertenstein and Jon Trott (who also wrote an expose on Christian comedian and alleged ex-Satanic high priest Mike Warnke that later served as the focus of an excellent book, "Selling Satan") was cancelled by Larson on the flimsy grounds that he feared Cornerstone "would make their names public and expose them to ridicule"
- Larson never said how much $$$ he took in, and actually took a show caller who attempted to quote the actual figure off the air, claiming he was "about to spread lies"

And if you don't believe me, consider that Anton LaVey's Church of Satan's membership consists of a mere 5,000-6,000 (so much for the alleged "global Satanic network"), LaVey himself denounced heavy metal as "just noise", and no major investigations into alleged "cult crimes" ever took place, despite the shocking statistics quoted by Larson, Warnke, and others. Is it any wonder why the notion of ritualistic abuse has been largely dismissed, except among a select handful who either continue to believe these wild tales or use them to continue defrauding the faithful? ... Read more

Product Description
The Affair of the Poisons, as it was known, was a scandal at which 'all France trembled' and which 'horrified the whole of Europe' as it implicated a number of prominent persons at the court of the Sun King, King Louis XIV in the late 17th century. It began with the trial of Marie Madeleine d'Aubray, Marquise de Brinvilliers, who conspired with her lover, Godin de Sainte-Croix, an army captain, to poison her father and two brothers in order to secure the family fortune and to end interference in her adulterous relationship. The marquise fled abroad, but in 1676 was arrested at Liege. The affair greatly worked on the popular imagination, and there were rumours that she had tried out her poisons on hospital patients. She was beheaded and then burned. The Brinvilliers trial attracted attention to other mysterious deaths. Parisian society had been seized by a fad for spiritualist seances, fortune-telling, and the use of love potions.The most celebrated case was that of La Voisin, a midwife and fortune-teller whose real name was Catherine Deshayes Monvoisin and whose clientele included the marquise de Montespan, Olympe Mancini (niece of Cardinal Mazarin and mother of Prince Eugene of Savoy), and Marshal Luxembourg. No formal charges were made, and there is no evidence that they were seriously implicated, yet a permanent stain was left on their names. La Voisin was burned as a poisoner and a sorceress in 1680. A special court, the chambre ardente [burning court], was instituted to judge cases of poisoning and witchcraft, and the poison epidemic came to an end in France. The affair was sympomatic of the witchcraft trials of the period throughout Europe. This bizarre witchhunt, which embroiled the gilded denizens of Versailles with the most sordid dregs of Paris society, remains both a fascinating enigma and an utterly compelling story. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Fascinating and well-researched
Ever since reading Judith Merkle Riley's excellent novel "The Oracle Glass," about the Affair of the Poisons, I have wanted to know more about the actual history that Riley based her book on. "The Affair of the Poisons" is a wonderfully detailed, well-written study through this strange time in French history, when courtiers at one of the most elegant courts in Europe turned to poison, fortune tellers, and even black magic to gain influence, money, lovers, and to keep their social standing. Somerset opens a window into a strange world, and guides us through the tangle of court life with skill and deftness.

fascinating reading
I knew nothing about this period of history, other than having a vague knowledge of Louis XIV ("the Sun King"), before picking up this book.It is remarkably easy to read, packing in a great deal of information without ever being dry or tedious.The author takes a simultaneously critical and sympathetic look at the passions that drove the nobility and hangers-on at court, and makes shrewd estimates about the validity of various contemporary and historical theories regarding the events in issue (including observations about the biases of the various letter writers and memoirists on whose writings she draws as sources).I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in this period of French history.

Also recommended:"Ridicule," a film about the French court under Louis XVI, which bears out many of the observations in this book about the period a century earlier.

well researched look at a dark era in french history
This was an interesting excursion into an area of French history I didn't know much about.The accusations and in some cases just hearsay,I found had similarities to a the hysteria Involving
The Salem Witch Trials.Would reccomend this for anyone with
an interest in life at french court/Louis XIV.

A very scholarly history that is also a very good read
I bought this book in the bookstore at Versailles.After my tours of the palace and the gardens looking for ghosts and wondering what life was like and what was in the heads of the people at courts of Louis XIV, XV and XVI.I was hoping that this history would help me with that and it did.This is a well footnoted scholarly history but it is also a very good read, a very unusually good read.

A good glimpse into Daily Life at Versailles.
Since reading Alexander Dumas novels as a child I have always been fascinated with the intrigue and byzantine plots of the French Court.I was first made aware of the accusations against the Marquise de Montespan in a history book by Jacques Barzun which made her out to be a female anti christ or the whore of babylon.Somerset's history of the events goes into more depth and paints Athenais to be more of an earlier version of the witless Marie Antoinette than a French Lady McBeth.

The whole affair of the poisons caused a paranoia that turned a criminal investigation into a Salem Witch Hunt or better yet a grassy knoll conspiracy that reached into the highest level of government.The fact that torture or the threat of torture and painful death were used to gain most of the 'confessions' was not seen as detrimental to the case by the public makes me glad in live in more modern times.

The court of Louis XIV was the height of decadance and its opulance eventually caused the bankruptcy of the French treasury during the reign of his descendants leading to Revolution, Terror, and the Rise of the First Empire. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (72)

a true public servant JOHN DeCAMP for President!
A book about public servants getting filthy rich serving the public who make the public very exspendible as they give lip service to the public ,they rape the public, as the bought public newspapers cover them up.

Save The System? It Is So Corrupted/It Isn't Worth Saving.
The Amazon Reviews Who Rated This Work Highly Have Done A Great Job In Reviewing This Distrubing BUT Necessary Work. He Decidedly Dedicates It To: the children who have been abused or will be abused AND to his friend/mentor, former Central Intelligence director, William Colby.
Colby knew that barking up this elitist tree was necessary, but in the end doomed, in the Short Term. The reason: truth takes time to work its way through the Elitist WALLS of: cover-ups, smoke-screens, distortions, lies, falsifications, divertions & pervertions of these Truths, so vividly expressed in John DeCamp's book.
There is a war going on & it's basically a PSYWAR. This book(2nd edition) scrathes the surface of that War & lets the reader in on it. The first rule of psyops is to convince: We, The People that there is No War.
This book brings the reader toward, a cognitive liberation, the transformation from a hopeless submission to oppresive conditions, to an aroused readiness to challenge those conditions.
Please read the other reviews, if you have not, as yet, convinced yourself to read this book. It is, as necessary a read, as it was for the author, a necessary writing, in order to bring it to book form, so that the truth could work it's way into, & become part of: A Cognitive Liberation Network: Where the truths will eventually outnumber the lies.

The deeper theorical analysis goes,
the closer its gets to the data of observation

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!!!!!!

A book worth reading
This book opened my eyes more they were before especially since I live in the town where the crimes originated. It puts you through so many emotions and you don't want to put it down. I only wish it had a better ending but maybe someday.....

Are you brave enough to read this one?
The Franklin Cover-Up is the biggest, most horrfic news story you've never heard of. Once you read this book, you'll know why Congress threatened to legislate cable T.V. out of existence if The Discovery Channel broadcast a documentery on the same subject. Child abuse, pedophilia, drugs, and murder--the tale begins in Nebraska, involves Boy's Town (yes, THAT Boy's Town) and leads straight to our nation's capitol where high ranking government officials are blackmailed after attending parties in a house wired for video. This explosive tale is true, and will stun any reader brave enough to stomach this disgusting chronicle of the psychopaths that have the money and power to live out their most repulsive fantasies. Read it if you dare!!!

A Must Read
For all of us who think there might be some truth to Conspiracy Theory, and those who can't figure out why the filthy-rich seem to get away with anything, and those who sometimes get The Look from colleagues or friends, a look that says "You'd better get on meds, you're so paranoid !".
Here the story is told by a Republican Senator, not some left-wing activist or delirious drug-user. Here's someone you can trust, for his belief, for his morality and rooted-to-the-bone honesty.
And that story just HAD to be told. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a handy, comprehensive guide to a wide range of topics relating to the awesome power and cult of Satan, in myriad forms and under many different names, from ancient times to the present. Distilled from hundreds of reliable sources both religious and secular, the entries include men and movements, orders and objects, rites, rituals, incantations, legends, and occult practices that have fascinated the mind of man through the ages.

This book contains facts relating to a host of unorthodox beliefs and irrational acts which have only recently come to light. The simple manner in which even the most abstruse topics are handled will open the mysterious world of darkness to readers with no prior knowledge of the occult and to intrigue and inform those who seek to extend their knowledge of the subject. This lexicon defines all terms in satanic lore and witchcraft as well as offering sketches of prominent figures in the field over the centuries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Don't Bother
Tells you next to nothing Don't bother. Take a look at Michael W. Ford books instead.
Reptilian Agenda
Dianic Luciferian Witch.

Satanic dictionary
Well what can I say about this book....well for one it has a poor title for what this book is real about.If you are looking for a book on satanic philosify and rituals,then don't buy this book.What this book actually is,a: A to Z book of satanism.You could call it a satanic dictionary.It's a great reference book,but for the price it's not worth it.

A good book for the outsiders.
well,as i saw the title i had the passion to read it.i found it in a friends house,and i finished the book in 3 days. not a worthy book for me,but a good start for an outsider,it gives you somehow the feel of the satanism.and beside nice paintings.over all something intresting to read,but not as a source or a ceriouse guide.if you're looking for a guide to give you the feel of the satanists,start with the most famouse one: The satanic bible. ... Read more

Product Description
Foreword by Church of Satan High Priest Peter H. Gilmore.

Afterword by Church of Satan High Priestess Peggy Nadramia.

""Magister James D. Sass is a sterling example of what it means to have studied! Im not just referring simply to subjects common to the world of academia, but also the full gamut of alternative subjects related to the human animal and its variations of behavior, most of which are subjects that nobody is willing to talk about or even acknowledge. His writings and keen observations over the years are those of an engaging Satanic master who has devoured literally tons of lore throughout his life through his love of books. He has gained an uncompromising Satanic street sense through the varied experiences of his very interesting and sometimes macabre past. Here is wisdom and observation firmly grounded in Satanic bedrock from a true outsider! One who was born that way!""

-- Magister Robert A. Lang

Customer Reviews (4)

A Book Worth Reading
I was pleasantly surprised by the physical quality of the book as well as its contents. The collection of essays within this book are not only an enjoyable read, but also full of valuable insight from a man who has lived a life worth telling. I feel like the stories and knowledge presented in the book would be of value to anyone with an intellectual curiosity of the human condition.

Excellent
This book will challenge those who take Satanism seriously and scorch the dross. Sass is a voice in infernal fires calling for the standard to be raised. Marvelous insight, insideous glee, you won't be disappointed with this good and evil tree.

A true Satanic grimoire
In this substantial text which absolutely lives up to its name, one is treated to the multidimensional writings of Magister James Sass, with topics ranging from his experiences and observations on the mean streets, tales from the Satanic Panic, literature recommendations, as well as combat techniques, home security, notable associations, Magic, academia, animals, politics, aesthetics, herd trends, plus much more, all with an enjoyably steely, cynical, misanthropic sense of black humor.

With a Foreword by High Priest Gilmore and an Afterword by Magistra Peggy Nadramia, Essays In Satanism is a wonderful collection of Satanic thoughts from a third-side perspective which goes for the throat of the matter and straight to the point!

If you buy one book this year...
I received the soft-cover version of this book a few days ago, but I won't go so far as to say I have "finished" it. I have read the entire thing front to back, read a few of the essays over again for further clarification, but there is a high volume of information here. I think it goes without saying, and it would be rather redundant to say, that this is an extremely well written book from one of the greatest minds in Satanism, and is absolutely essential to anyone at all interested in the religion.

It acts as both a practical manual for LIVING LIFE, as well as a portrait for a well-worn Satanist who was clearly raised in the world as it is and not in some adolescent, sugar-coated fantasy land. Magister Sass' stories are not only important, but they are a whole lot of fun, too, and I found myself laughing aloud more than a few times while reading this book. It expands on some of the most important ideas behind Satanism, and elaborates on some of the supposedly "grey" areas that are so often brought up by the curious. It mercilessly attacks the feeble, though in a well thought out, productive manner; there is not a rant or curse thrown out in a childish fit here, and Magister Sass is clearly not interested in purposely trying to be "edgy", or "cool". His balls-to-the-wall attitude seems to stem from his experiences and his knowledge alone, and when he puts his nose to the grindstone on these issues, it never comes off as being arbitrary or superficial.

Apart from his essays dealing with specific topics, he also outlines the beginnings of "Project Faust", and this information ALONE makes this book a MUST HAVE for those interested in pursuing what will certainly be a lifelong hobby, as it has been for him. If "Satanism demands study," this book is absolutely INDISPENSABLE.

Not only is this book right up there with the rest of the Satanic canon, but it is one of the most entertaining and informative books I have ever picked up and read, Satanism or no Satanism. I don't feel like I have even touched the surface of what this book has to offer. It certainly demands multiple reads.

If you are only going to read one book this year...well, you might want to consider a different religion. ... Read more

Product Description
1946. Contents Part One: Death of the Gods; What Drove the Middle Ages to Despair; The Little Demon of the Hearth and Home; Temptations; Diabolical Possession; The Pact with Satan; King of the Dead; Prince of Nature; Satan the Healer; Charms and Love Potions; Communion of Revolt-Witches' Sabbaths-The Black Mass; and Black Mass (continued)-Love and Death-Satan Disappears. Contents Part Two: The Sorceress in Her Decadence-Satan Multiplied and Vulgarised; Persecutions; A Hundred Years' Toleration in France; The Basque Witches, 1609; Satan Turns Ecclesiastic, 1610; Gauffridi, 1610; The Nuns of Loudun-Urbain Grandier, 1633, 1634; The Nuns of Louviers and Satanic Possession-Madeleine Bavent, 1640-1647; Satan Triumphant in the Seventeenth Century; Father Girard and Charlotte Cadiere; Charlotte Cadiere at the Convent of Ollioules; and Trial of Charlotte Cadiere, 1730, 1731. ... Read more

Product Description

This nonsensationalist encyclopedia examines contemporary images of the devil and sorts out the many different forms these images take. Although much of the myths relating to Satan derive directly or indirectly from the Christian tradition, the key sources of diabolical images today are horror movies, heavy metal music, and conservative Christian literature.

This encyclopedia gives a brief overview depicting the history and transformation of the meaning of the Prince of Darkness, and 300 entries cover subjects like the angel of death, backward masking (messages revealed when songs are played backward), neopagan witchcraft, UFOs, and The Satanic Bible. Extensive appendixes include the l992 FBI study of satanic ritual abuse, the most influential document ever written on the subject, as well as sample satanic scriptures and a satanic wedding ceremony. Satanism Today also includes a chronology, bibliographies, and references.

Product Description
In this, the first book in a new series on Traditional Satanism, Brother Nero, an outspoken advocate of the Devil and His ways for over 20 years, focuses on an area of Satanism that few other authors have discussed in detail: the day to day philosophy and lifestyles of those who sincerely worship the Devil.Many topics usually considered too controversial for print in a book such as this are dealt with in a straightforward, easy to understand manner. Some of the many subjects covered in this book are:* Raising children in Satanism* Satanic marriage and sexual relationships* The nature of Satan and Demons* Holy Texts of Traditional Satanism* Al-Jilwah commentary* Daily prayer* Solitary practice vs. joining a CovenThis book is a series of essays meant to educate those outside of Satanism about the true nature of the people who practice it, as well as to provide a source of inspiration and spiritual guidance to the Satanic community. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Brow-beating at its best!
I was highly anticipating the reading of this book by Brother Nero as a treat to the traditional standards and practices of Satanism. What I received was a lesson in brow beating. While Brother Nero is adamant that modern Satanists take Satanism so seriously as to form relationships with the Dark Father and his minions, he also pontificates that he is perpetually neglected, persecuted, other Satanists are lacking in true Satanic Faith, wishes to annihilate God via worship attrition, all Satanists are egotistical, wondering why all other people don't question themselves whether they are right or wrong yet in the same token believing all the while he is always right, "And I'm going to preach what I believe is the truth."

Reading between the lines however, some light does shine through on his particular brand of Satanism that stands out amongst other Satanic practices. While LaVeyan and Ford practices are symbolic and anthropocentric affording that no one bows before anyone or anything else in reverence, Brother Nero advocates the physical practice of worshiping Satan as the sole deity and seeing Him as the Greater power than our own which leads one to believe that Brother Nero advocates humility indicative of traditional Christian/Judaic/Islamic traditions. He believes that Satan and his demons are flesh and blood and should be respected as one would respect oneself and in doing, the same will be returned (The Law of Return -reciprocation-) indicative of the Golden Rule (do unto others as you would have them do unto you). His anthropomorphic views on Satan, the demons and yes even God -who is also egotistical and narcissistic- lead one to see into the mind of our Satanic Brother Nero.

All-in-all, only having read just a portion of Brother Nero's work, which is partly a lesson in humility in itself and an eye-opener to alternative possibilities on the worship of the Demonic forces that permeate our everyday lives, leaves me to believe that Brother Nero, while still immature in conversation and argument, has the greatest potential to become an astute strategist in arming his disciples with the mental fortitude and aptitude necessary to become great apostles of the adversary.

I look forward to finishing the reading of Satanism: A Beginner's Guide to the Religious Worship of Satan and Demons Volume 1: Philosophy and future works from Brother Nero as well.

Anything worth doing is worth perfecting.

Excellent!
Excellent book! I'm very new to Traditional Satanism and this book puts forth our philosophy very nicely. It has helped me a lot. There are some points I didn't agree with, but I think you will have that with any title on this subject. I highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in Traditional Satanism.

I am the first owner of this book
This is a book who's release is long overdue. Nero has been around the Traditional Satanist community more than most of us, and it is nice to finally see his views in print. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Using My Dictionary For a Roadmap
1972. on the cover of my copy of this book (this was SUCH a great picture selected by Amazon for this edition!) i drew the Leviathan, with 11 tentacles and mutant appearance. this is one of the best books on Satanism that exists. I have had a blood pact for more than 10 years now with Satan, and as this book was one of the most important on my Blood Pact booklist at Amazon, it has weathered time well. Baskin is arch, broad, and for a reference book of this enthusiasm and character, should be considered a superior achievement, an education for the aspiring demonologist and faustian. combined with other reputable texts of greater academic candor, Baskin can long remain a kind of toady mascot alongside "The Satanic Bible" and other lesser-known Satanist scriptures (including "The Demonic Bible", "Lost in Paradise", "Satan's Bible", "The Devil's Scripture", and any number of other well-named competitors). it surpasses the too providential dictionary of Ambrose Bierce, and succeeds in angling a lettered presentation in a more entertaining direction than did Ashley or Wilson or even Cavendish or many other more astounding compositors and compilers such as CJSThompson or PCarus. the obscurity of data which Mr. Baskin strings together, and some of the humorous choices of terminological entry, makes reading it from cover to cover a JOY! Baskin reissued this book in 1988 under the title "Satanism: a Guide to the Awesome Power of Satan". it is heartwarming to see it kept in print under any title. I am seriously considering recommending that my local occult shop carries it, if possible. it has been talismanic and powerful as a magical object. highly recommended. your mother should read this book. so should her mother.Satanism: A Guide to the Awesome Power of Satan ... Read more

Product Description
The Church of Satan was founded by Anton LaVey on April 30, 1966. In his hands, Satan became a provocative symbol for indulgence, vital existence, natural wisdom and the human being's 'true' animal nature. At present, religious Satanism exists primarily as a decentralized subculture with a strong internet presence within a larger Satanic milieu in Western culture. The various expressions of modern Satanism all navigate in todays detraditionalized religious market through the creative appropriation of popular culture, philosophy, literature and religion. Though most are inspired by LaVey, the great majority of contemporary Satanists are not members of the Church of Satan. Contemporary religious Satanism could be understood as a complex negotiation of atheism, secularism, esotericism and self: A 'self-religion' in the modern age. The concrete solutions are varied; but they all understand the power of transgression allying oneself with a most powerful symbol of resistance, namely Satan.Despite the fascinating nature of religious Satanism, it has attracted little scholarship until relatively recently.This book brings together a group of international scholars to produce the first serious book-length study of religious Satanism, presenting a collection that will have wide appeal to specialists and non-specialists alike. The first part contains broader studies of influential groups and important aspects of the Satanic milieu, especially regarding historical developments, the construction of tradition and issues of legitimacy. The second part narrows the view to regional variations, especially with studies on Northern and Eastern Europe. The third part consists of primary documents selected for their representational and informational value. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Bogus
Linking killings with heavy metal is not cool.Of course few people do take music to far.For a band to take you over the edge like that you have to be messed up in the head.Ive been listenin to metal (balck, death, grind, you name it...) and the last thing on my mind is to murder someone.

Why can't we do zero stars?
An outdated, alarmist collection of urban legends and conspiracy theories is not a 'true story'

The truth hurts
I know quite a bit about Satanism.Carl has actually only touched the outer edges of this subject.I have actually met Carl since he wrote this book and his knowledge has expanded greatly.Unfortunately those who writeto expose this subject matter are often harassed beyond the general populations ability to comprehend, because the practioners behind the scenes wish to remain anonymous.Yes, there are gangs that adopt practices after seeing a movie or reading a story or playing dungeons and dragons, etc.However, this problem is much more prevalent than most wish to acknowledge.If you want to know what is going on behind the "news" this is a good starter read.Other books such as "Bloodlines of the Illuminati", "Thanks for the Memories, the truth has set me Free", "A Nation Betrayed", books by David Icke, "Cheque Mate, the Game of Princes", "Michelle Remembers", "Deadly Deception" "MK", "The New World Order" by A. Ralph Epperson, "Why Johnny Can't Come Home", "The Franklin Cover-Up" are also excellent resources (I have read or spoken with the authors of these books).

A Book of False Information.
I found that this book had information which is false to the religion of Satanism. Though not a Satanist myself, Ive studied the religion... What this book describes are more or less teenagers outto cause a bit of havoc, and just have fun in their own way. This book is very uninformative and biased, I cant recommend it.

Misinformation and Finger Pointing
This book is a quickly thrown together, very poorly researched attack on a subculture that is not understood. The "Satanic" threat is just a bunch of idiotic, inbred, trashy teens from small towns that think that its cool to kill a dog to get power. There is a growing movement of people, me included, that with intelligence and carefull political manuevering, are trying to make the United States a better place for non-Christians. I am Buddhist, and when people find that out, they react in horror or don't understand it. But we have freedom of religion in this country. And this stupid, ignorant book, written probably for quick profit by a greaseball that knows a lot of "god-fearing" people will react to their xenophobia, is just not worth your reading time, unless you want to laugh, and believe me, I got quite a few belly laughs from this one! ... Read more

Product Description

In 1966, Anton LaVey introduced to the world the Church of Satan, an atheistic religion devoted to the philosophy of individualism and pitilessness often associated with Satan. Modern Satanism offers a comprehensive survey and analysis of the church that LaVey built. Satanism has been an open religion for forty years now and operates successfully in its self-created countercultural niche. Given the provocative nature of its name, contemporary Satanism is only superficially understood as an alternative religion/ideology, and all-too-frequently seen as a medieval superstition and associated with rumors of obscure rituals, perverse hedonism, cult-like behavior, and tales of ritual abuse and murder. These may be misconceptions, but the truth behind the unenviable reputation is no less dramatic. Satanism generally eschews supernatural beliefs and embodies a staunchly individualistic, pitiless, anti-egalitarian creed. If there is anything fundamentally diabolical about modern Satanism, it stems more from the echoes of Nazism in its theories than from its horror-comic trappings.

Modern Satanism covers the history, ideology, personalities, and practices of the decentralized international movement that contemporary Satanism has become. The work addresses the various beliefs and practices espoused by those who follow it: the ideal of Satan as a rebellious emblem; Satanism's occult, literary, and philosophical influences; the history of the Church of Satan and other Satanic organizations; the ideology of Satanism; Satanism's frequent flirtations and strong parallels with neo-Nazism and other forms of extremism; Satanism in the media and popular culture; and the reasons for Satanism's continuing attractiveness to new converts. Though the tone of the work attempts to remain neutral when discussing historical matters, it is by necessity critical of the subculture's extremist rhetoric and recurring associations with the far right and racialist extremism.

Customer Reviews (3)

Worthless trash
At first I thought this an attempt at an evenhanded review of the subject, although superficial since it uses only secondary sources,But around pages 188-119 it became obvious the author either has an axe to grind or completely misunderstands the views of Anton LaVey. The author promotes the slander that LaVey's Satranism is pro-EVIL, which could not be farther from the truth.Mathews condemns LaVey for the supposed contradiction of being materialistic and atheistic, yet still believing in the supernatural.LaVey believed there are powers and forces that we do not yet understand, calling that supranormal.That is not the same as ignorant belief in religion and the supernatural.Much of the rest is the author, who has the stunning credit of an MA in Philosophy, making various philosophic quibbles with a strawman set up to represent LaVey.

In praise of a critic
The Satanic Outlook has been a great influence in my life.....and yes I probably do have borderline personality disorder and I definitly have ADHD.Chris Mathews book Modern Satanism is a challenge I think all "satanists" should accept. Like an afternoon of online chess in which you lose every game but at the end learn alot about chess. Religion is that game we play as opposed to the work we do called Science.

The church is the best friend Satan ever had, as it has kept him in business all these years

Hails

Satanism sacred and profane?
For those embarking on the "Dark" path may I suggest further reading?
1. ARCHETYPES by Anthony Stevens (see the need for enemies)
2. KUNDALINI byGOPI KRISHNA (for those into "self-deification").
3. ANGER, MADNESS, and the DAIMONIC. The Psychological Genesis of Violence, Evil, and
Creativity by Stephen A. Diamond Foreword by Rollo May 1996
4. DARK EROS ,THE IMAGINATION OF SADISM by Thomas Moore 1994 "ways to imagine evil that in the end will not destroy
us"..
5. THE BLACK SUN. The Alchemy and art of Darkness. Stanton Marlan."The black sun accompanies the most negative of psychic experiences but also the
most sublime."
The book MODERN SATANISM ANATOMY OF A RADICAL SUBCULTURE by Chris Mathews makes me think more deeply into the subject- the Darkness that I'm attracted to.
His critiques of fascism can be leveled against Satanisms opposite as well. In regards to Industrial music i.e. Women of the S.S.; Current 93; that he gives comments on --I say take what you like and disregard the rest. I personally don't find experimental groups like this bad. I get a lot of creative energies from them.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Seriously about satanism
The "Satanism Scare" is a modest and serious approach to satanism. I live in Norway and during the 90`s there has been a series of church burnings, linked to "satanists" or Black-metallers. During that period the press become in a state of moral panic. So much for thehistory. Even in Norway where satanism has been a big issue, there is hardto get a good book about the phenomena. But The Satanism scare is exactlythat. And maybe if people read this book, the newspapers didn`t have to usethis stupied headlines containing "child offering" and so on. Allin all an enligthening book about something that scears people, with amodest approch, from sociologists, folklorists antrophlogists and otheracademics. ... Read more

Product Description
This book traces the origins of Halloween and gives the true meaning behind this celebration of 'fun and games.' The material in this book is explicit. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

Misses The Mark
Ran across this book at a used bookstore around Halloween this year and decided to give it a try. There has always been much debate among Christians about the celebration of holidays - Santa or no Santa, Easter bunny, dress up for Halloween, etc. My purpose in this review is not to chime in on this debate in particular. I am not a parent yet and have not made those decisions for my own family. Rather, this review will be based on whether the authors succeed in their purpose by writing this book.

The purpose: Convince the reader that Halloween & Satanism are inextricably connected and that no Christian should celebrate Halloween in any form. Does is succeed? Short answer, no.

It seems that the authors forgot their proposed purpose of the book immediately after the first few pages were written. The meat of the book should have been limited to the connections between Halloween and Satanism.

Though there is not much in the book that links Halloween with Satanism, the author does provide two points. One, Halloween is the same date that Satanists have their largest holiday. This argument, while true, is rather weak. By the authors' own admission, it has also been an important date in the history of Christianity. In fact, Halloween gets its name from it connection with church history, not Satanism (All Hallow's Eve.) The authors second point is that fear itself is patently unbiblical and Halloween promotes fear. This is where the book starts to unravel for me. With no exegetical evidence, the authors make sweeping statements about fear with little explanation. They do not come close to proving that fear itself is anti-Christian.

Even though the book fails in its purpose, there is still some information in the book worth reading. The bulk of this book is really an index for Satanism and other occult practices. If you are looking for a popular introduction to Satanic rituals and their reality in modern life, you could start in worse places. Word of warning, these descriptions are very disturbing and not easy to read. In addition, everything here must be taken with a grain of salt - there are references to other works to back them up, but it still reads as an opinion paper instead of a researched book on an important subject.

Even if it is just read as an introduction to the dangers of the occult world, there are more things red flags to beware. The authors wrongly state that a believer can lose their salvation (page 156), show zero sympathy for the torture of women accused as witches (page 120,) and promote a self-help style of pop-Christianity throughout. Because demon possession and Satanism are real and dangerous, these fast and loose interpretations fall far short of the mark. Bottom line: skip it. If you are looking for a book to help you decide whether or not your kids should participate in Halloween activities, this is not it.

Authors don't "suffer a witch to live"...
Sick, pathetic, sad and false from start to finish. At one point the authors report about the horrendous torture of a "witch" during the Inquisition, and after the gruesome and heartbreaking details, they actually say (pg. 120) "lest the above-quoted author's description of the terrible torture put upon witch "suspects" cause you to become sympathetic toward witches, bear in mind God's commandment towards those who practice it...death. Exodus 22:18 says Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."

That just about says it all, I think.So much for Christianity being a religion of "love."The whole book stinks, and anyone who reads it and can take it at face value, just isn't very intelligent.Anyone who agrees with the author that witches should die, would show that intolerance is alive and well in this century.

Does this guy know what he's talking about?
Obviously not! And to the reviewer below me, we pagans hate this book, and don't "tolerate" it because it's lesson is one of total intolerance! Duh!

Absolutely unbelievable that this was published...
I have nothing against Christianity, except when something like this makes us look bad for the sake of a few bucks.It's sad that they did no actual research whatsoever.It appears that "witchcraft" young adult horror fiction was used as fact (I recognize at least one section as coming pretty much verbatim from a kids' horror book I read a long time ago).Paganism was around long before the creation of "Satan".Paganism and Satanism could not possibly be more different.You have to be desperate for answers, slightly unhinged or both to take this book as "gospel".

Complete and utter nonsense
Poorly researched, badly organized and written, illustrated with movie stills and lifted illustrations, there isn't a single page in this absurdity that's not full of factual errors. At least it's good for laughs. And check out the back cover author photos - are you trying to tell me those are two different people? ... Read more