Customer Reviews (11)

Difficult but rewarding
This book can be, at times, so wordy your head will nod. Huysmans' typical writing style is florid, enwrapped in detail. Yet the moments of gorgeous writing are deeply worthwhile, and if you're looking for a plunge into the bizarre, this is it. It is the tale of a man who sets out to write about the life of his historical subject, Gils De Rais, the legendary Bluebeard, who was renowned as a Satanist and sadist. To become closer to his subject, the protagonist wrangles his way into the seemier side of Paris life, witnessing Satanic rites. Life imitates art as he finds himself pulled into a world that at once reviles and fascinates him. Yet, delighfully, the reader is left to his or her OWN moral judgements. Ahead of his time, Huysman left morality ambiguous and is never heavy-handed, merely inviting the reader on an erudite and strange jouney that is worth every effort.

"Progress is the Hypocrisy which Refines the Vices"
Amidst the Occult revival & the glory days of Decadence, of all places Paris, 1891, high aloft the bell-tower of Saint-Sulpice, the reader's granted access to the extraordinary conversations of a small group of friends: a famous & capable physician with sincere intellectual occult inclinations; a most reknown ex-court Astrologer; a kindly, aged sage with a rare, profound learning of the lost Art of Bellringing, accompanied by his wife who both occupy the tower making of it intimate & cozy surroundings for their company; and lastly, Durtal--Huysmans himself--who is deep in study & pursuit of placing contemporary Satanism in its proper historical context, revolving all the while round his writing a biography of Gilles de Rais, the infamous Black Magician & child murderer reputed to have tortured, killed & raped some 500 children for expressed Satanic purposes, who was also a friend of none other than "Joan of Arc" and who fought at her side as one of France's greatest knights. For this murderer, this monster, is in the process of becoming a saint! Durtal narrates the episodic history of Gilles de Rais throughout the entire book, forming a naturalistic vision as well of Huysmans' the writer going about his daily life in a way Occultist & Artists today might find familiar or enviable for its intrigues & dark fascinations lived & not just dreamt of.

Also permeating the whole of the text is a genuine succubus of sorts, an 'idol of perversity', "one of the butcher-girls of Love" who like virtually ALL the charcters is modelled on real-life personages whose actual titles I will not assault any interested persons with, allowing them their own rewarding historical investigations. However, anyone with art-historic or occultic knowledge regarding the turn of the 19th century in France will probably recognize some of the cast from these "Lower Depths"--which is what "La-Bas" means. Such as "Dr. Johannes", a Healer from the mystical center of France, Lyons; in actuality this is the abbe Boullan, successor of the Prophet Eugene Vintras(1807-1875), founder of an apocalyptic cultus prophesizing a great explosion signalling all Hell on Earth. The abbe Boullan was famous/infamous for his sexual magic and Healing techniques such as his curing of diabolical illnesses by spitting in the afflicted's mouths, or rubbing poultices of excreta on their psychic wounds, and compelling the nuns whom he serviced, invested with the titles of the Catholic church, to drink their urine. In 1860 he sacrificially murdered his own child born of his primary voyant, sister Adele Chevalier. Abbe Boullan's own death, so Huysman's believed, was resultant of the curses of another famous Mage. What is important to grasp is that during the fin-de-siecle Art History reached its zenith, its pinnacle, its furthest point culminating after millennia in the Symbolists/Decadents/Aesthetes; and it was in Occultism that the Artist found a definition of their own position & state of being; thus was this the day when born was our modern conception of Art as a religion, and the Artist its high priest or magician. Art will never be the same again, for after this Art seems to come in rising waves of "advanced guards"...

Joris-Karl Huysmans bridges the chasm between the Occult underground & establishment like no other; ultimately, I feel, championing the underground. This is the first book of a trilogy charting Huysman's journey from the brothels of Satanism & decadent Paris to the cloisters of Catholicism & reclusive refuge, where his interests in spirituality & occult/esoteric lore lessen none at all---The second book is titled "En Route" of 1895 & the last "The Cathedral" from 1898---all are available from Dedalus Press and apparently a new translation, the first in over 75 years, of "La-Bas" has been undertaken by one Brendan King.(?) Such could be far superior to Keene Wallace's respective 1928 translation, whose greatest errors lie in its restrictions downplaying Huysman's lyrical tone especially in relating stylized Satanic events, and though it would be difficult to seriously louse up Huysmans'prose, he has suffered omissions and the flattening or simplifying of his poetic gifts due to moral issue in the past.

Huysman's is a journey rewarding for its realism laying bare the psyche of a sensitive, intelligent man, & seductive in its romantic portrayal of the Artist/Occultist risk-taker, willing to go as far as 'the powers that be' will allow him, ever-searching for the highest truths and brutally honest in admitting what's often painful to accept for the religious seeker. I feel Huysman's trilogy is a neglected masterpiece of the Symbolist-Decadent generation, poignant in exemplifying a familiar journey so many braved.

As Huysmans says, "Such Literature has only one excuse for existing; it saves the person who makes it from the disgustingness of life...and charitably, it lessens the distress of us few who still love Art."

Down There
Billed as a classic book on satanism, the book turns out to be a bit of a letdown. It is endless chat between characters, who go around talking about how they wish they could live in the Middle Ages, where wickedness wasn't watered down. The Black Mass scene the author was (sort of) building up to at the end is quick and tame; the characters who infiltrated it even comment on how disappointing it is...not that I needed to be told.

Durtal is an occasionally interesting main character, with some rather intriguing views on women and Christianity, mostly negative in both cases, but he has nothing to do in this story, except hang about with friends who talk a lot, and research Gilles de Rais--so that the reader can get a capsule description of said scoundrel.

All in all, a disappointment. It certainly does not qualify as an effective horror novel. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1404-1440   2. Fiction   3. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller   4. France   5. History   6. Mystery & Detective - General   7. Occult   8. Rais, Gilles de,   9. Satanism   10. Untranslated Fiction - French   11. Rais, Gilles de   

Customer Reviews (20)

Everyone who doesn't believe this book is crazy!
First of all,I am a Christian and I am not afraid to say that.Everyone who thinks that Halloween has nothing to do with Satan obviously should do some reading.The only reason that people believe that Halloween is harmless is because the day after is called All Saints' Day.People think that there are white witches and black witches.That's not true!Every kind of witch is of Satan.The only Saints on earth are God's people.The reason that Halloween was invented was because of the ancient Druids in England (they were believed to be white witches).They heard that on a certain day of Halloween (31st),that evil spirits would come out of hell and haunt everyone on the Earth.So the Druids decided to disguise themselves as spirits and offer treats to the evil spirits so they wouldn't hurt them.Halloween did NOT start with Christians.It started with a pack of witches.Every parent reading this should keep their kids away from anything of Halloween.I am only 12 years old and I know more about Satan than millions of grown-ups on the Earth.Everyone who wants to read up on everything I just said should read:He Came To Set The Captives Free by Rebecca Brown,M.D. There is also a sequel by the same author called:Prepare For War.They are wonderful books and everything in them has been confirmed by God himself.

Ignorance knows no limits
Halloween in no way has anything to do with Satinism. The word Halloween is derived from the christians who were trying to convert everyone, thus the invention of All Saitns Day, which later led to All Hallow's Eve being shortened to Halloween. Samhain is the original holiday that christianity could not wipe out despite their murderous ways and numerous burning at the stakes, so they relented and "christianized" ancient Pagan (which means pre-christian, not a worshiper of the devil or golden calfs)holidays and we now celebrate them still, they are called Christmas (originally Yule, a time of new life), and Easter (a time when the earth was reborn)and many more. This book is fine for those who waste life on opinions, but I prefer to spend my money on fact based non-fiction. It is a shame to see so many modern people ruining the fun of the harvest holiday for kids and adults alike, a holiday that was around for over 2,000 years BEFORE their religion. Halloween is not "new age" or modern, Christianity is. But I won't suggest Pagan or Wicca books to any Jesus worshippers, but History books. Have your religion where you pray in the name of a person, but please stop trying to force the world to bow down to your beliefs. That kind of force is what we wanted to avoid when we founded this country. One nation under GOD, not jesus or any other name, just GOD, whatever or whomever that may be to you. Writers should check their facts, and this book is an example of why that is so.

Best Book Ever!
I have read a lot of books on Halloween and Satanism, and I can say that this book is just as good as the rest of them. It does not out do the subject, but merely presents it for what it is.

The issue is focused well that it hits right on target with every single issue it mentions.

The only bad thing about this book, is that it is all fact! I mean, the authors do not care to share their opinions on these matters, just the facts. Because of this, the issues are not talked about as much.

Read this book, if you are seriously in need of a resource that confirms that Halloween and Satanism is not for us today. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. New Age   2. New Age / Parapsychology   3. Occultism   4. Satanism   

Customer Reviews (4)

DISCOURSES ON THE IDEA OF DEVIL FROM PAST TO PRESENT
A wonderfully written and illustrated book takes you through the concept of devil from the ancient egypt to modern times. Paul ideas on the demonology of the christendom will keep you on the edge of your seat. A must buy classic!

a demonological classic and scholarly opus
Paul Carus's classic treatise, writ and published to great occult acclaim circa 1900, remains a much deserved classic; 350 illustrations carefully chosen alone warrant applause, but it is his highly focused text that deserves scholars' attentions and demands republication. Foremost of importance for current day readers is the extent to which the work delves far beyond the pulpish, tho non-fictive, profit-orientated goals of the majority of the Devil's historians making a buck and a name out there today (Jeffrey B. Russell, whose depictions of the late eliphas Levi as a mere flop Satanist---of which as a devout Catholic Abbe' he was strictly railing against the entirety of his miraculous life---exemplifies such). None such opinionations are within carus's exemplar work. Crucial to this review is coneying the standard of success he reaches in establishing his goal of a thorough, precise and organized historiography mapping and dilineating the crucial developments and differences amidst the varied beliefs and ideas concerning evil and its dominions and servitors, on a level worldwide in conception. Cultural relativity is and remains established throughout; no opinions are broached to instead focus strictly upon orientating the reader with The History Of The Devil And The Idea Of Evil ( the book's subtitle) with little sensationalism besides the already stranger than fiction truth of the matter.

As a Romantic debauchee lusting for poetic description with the kind of wit that bites its object of desire in the middle of the back, my only complaint of such a work as Carus's lies here. Those searching for the blasphemous variety need not turn to necromancy to evoke such animated literature as some precious few remain miraculously in print ( Eliphas Levi, Montague Summers,and Grillot de Givry, respectively, all relative contemporaries of Carus---1860, 1926 & 1931---serve excellent examples). Carus however was unconcerned with novelistic delights and concentrated upon discovering underlying formations of principles and morality within a cultural context; his establishing of historical factual sources, verifiable and in most cases evident, posits him upon a high mount of scholarly regard in the lands of comparative religions.

Carus Drops the Devil Ball
Mr Paul Carus comes at the problems of evil in society with a refreshing,albeit strained, neutrality. I think that Mr. Carus seriously digs Satan and this comes through in the background of his writing, especially when he came no longer hold his tongue in the witchcraft sections. He is a mighty scholar, tis true, but I wonder, Mr. Paul Carus, where is the discussion of our present understanding of evil? The Chapter "In Verse and Fable," was a move in the right direction, but sadly, the book dries up before Carus can point to any application of his fine scholarship to our present existance, so it becomes simply a fine reproduction of the endless parade of devil literature... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - General   2. Demonology   3. Demonology & Satanism   4. Devil   5. Good and evil   6. History   7. History: American   8. Religion - Biblical Studies   

Customer Reviews (15)

Riveting! Recommended!
A glimpse by possibly the world's most educated 'exorcist' on demons and deliverance. Some case studies that although true read almost like something from a horror fiction novel. There are many christian ministers in the world today from all denominations who deal with demons the way Bob Larson does, but few of them in my opinion have the deep incite, revelation knowledge and sheer wealth of experience he has, he definetly GETS results! no question about it. His teaching on recognising the difference between MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder) and demons although not exhaustive (no one really knows all the answers on this subject!) is truly fascinating and definetly plausible considering many christians have been 'falsely' diagnosed as being demon possessed and suffered deep spiritual harm through it. After reading several books and witnessing exorcism's abroad, this man is right on the money! Despite his high pitched voice and at times his very frank forthrightness in delivering the Word of God on his radio show and TV appearances he is a very humble family man who has totally sold out his life to fulfilling Christ's call to preach 'deliverance to the captives' I have been personally present at a Bob Larson workshop and it was the most amazing demonstration of the supernatural power of God over the forces of darkness that I have ever witnessed. After reading this book and indeed if you are ever privelidged enough to go to one of his workshops you will NEVER EVER doubt that there is a Devil, and that the Bible truly is God's infallible Word

Lotta claims, no proof
I understand that to the "spiritual warfare" type of Christian, a book like this with all the STORIES of supposed demon posesssion/exorcism claims Larson allegedly was involved in, is credible to them and encourages them in their view of demons around us. Notice what word I capitalized. Larson makes a lot of CLAIMS that cannot be independently proven. The stories of his cases of demon posession and exorcism sound a lot like fiction and not reality. I listened in to BL's talk show when he did the live exorcisms by phone routine and once I even called hom criticizing why these allged demons did not hang up the phone, In this book BL makes some lame claim that yes demons on his show HAVE hung up the phone. In my experience of listening in, I NEVER heard one of these allleged demon posessed callers hang up the phone. Funny tho how these demons also did not violate FCC rules.

He once again attacked some Wiccans in this book, and for all his claims of personal experience with supposedly supernatural forces, I find it interesting considering what Larson is in real life that these alleged demons have not spoken oout about his sins. Funny also that there have been no atheists who have shown demons in them, or of people who were not brought up in the demons around us imagery.

ALl I can say to any reader, beleiver in "spiritual warfare" or not is this: Question the source of these claims. It's too easy for beleivers to be conned by people like Larson and " Dr. Rebecca Brown". Check out their credibility. In both Brown and Larson cases there are more than enough evidences to show that both people have lied. I have serious doubts that ANy of theise stories Larson said actually happened. They sound ficticious and made up. Larson's own actions hardly make him a credible source.

It may save your life...
The author's unprecedented scholarship came to fruition in this magnum opus,covering all the available knowledge from "alcohol"and "Belzebub" to Zoroaster.Virtually a non-stop page turner,this encyclopedia of knowledge will instill piety in the unaware readers,finally opening their eyes to the myriad of dangers(and demons,of course)lurking behind...anything.The merits of this compendium lie in its unwavering commitment to our general redemption and a final purging of world culture of anything that contradicts the author's Weltanschauung;it becomes evident early in the book that from the Reformation on the world has entered a period of struggle with an influx of satanic infestation now pervading every aspect of our culture,from the noetic levels to the lower,Freudian realms of the libido.If in the early middle ages the British Isles,namely Ireland and its monks became the last bastion and haven of classical culture,this herculean task has now been undertaken by the author with spectacular and life saving results;it is not an exaggeration to call this book a new "Critique of Pure Reason" that far surpasses Kant's initial and shabby attempts.ARS LONGA VITA BREVIS. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity   2. Christianity - Spiritual Warfare   3. Cults   4. Devil   5. Occultism   6. Religion   7. Religion - Spiritual Warfare   8. Satanism   9. Spiritual warfare   

Customer Reviews (1)

Reveals the roots of Satanism and its practices
There have been plenty of titles on witchcraft and spirituality but relatively few on modern demonology: Demons Of The Modern World examines the spiritual and psychological ramifications of demonology, considering interplays between belief systems and psychology and considering the history and culture of beliefs in supernatural forces. Chapters focus on Western civilization as they reveal the roots of Satanism and its practices. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child psychology   2. Cults   3. Demonology   4. Movements - Existentialism   5. Philosophy   6. Political   7. Psychology   8. Ritual abuse   9. Satanism   

Customer Reviews (3)

Before it's too late for any of us
This is it. This is the book that documents and backs up a lot of the other information I have been sharing up to now... It may be difficult to create the hard evidence that would hold up in a court of law. Ritual and cult abuse are designed that way. The information does come together in a way that cannot be refuted by anyone capable of common sense. These things are happening, they are happening now, and they are getting worse. The only thing this book leaves out are the political connections of those involved. My web site and the links it includes does not. Be cautious. The information in this book is very triggering, and if you have any of it in your background or think you do there will be feelings. If you don't think you do, it will far easier, and safer, (for you anyway) to dismiss the entire thing out of hand. In the short run, that is. In the long run, we all have to pay attention to the phenomenon and the history of ritual and cult abuse...before it's too late for any of us.

Filled with lies, slander, and BS
After reading this book, I was utterly shocked at how anyone could write this tripe, let alone publish it. I cannot imagine anyone who reads this not feeling greatly insulted and "taken" by the author.

This book makes a huge number of claims, and provides no evidence to support those claims. The book lacks any data that one can use to research the claims--- a deliberate deception.

I spent a dollar on this book, and I feel like I have been cheated out of that dollar.

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME READING THIS ...! ...

A superb non-fiction title.
I read this book about 9 months ago for a research paper that I did on the negative effects of Satanism on American society. I remember being very engrossed in the book. It was well written and clearly explained all of the reasons people like that are out there, what they are "looking" for, and the rituals that Satanists partake in. This book definetely shows that many years of research were put into it to write and that Mr. Kahaner is good at what he does. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in this subject, or just looking for something different to read about. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Case studies   2. Murder   3. Murder - General   4. Nonfiction - True Crime / Espionage   5. Occultism   6. Satanism   7. United States   

Subjects:  1. Brigges, Robert   2. Case studies   3. Demoniac possession   4. England   5. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh   6. Europe - Great Britain - General   7. Great Britain   8. History - General History   9. Literary Criticism   10. Satanism   11. History / Europe / General   

Customer Reviews (2)

A masterful work from 1900
Oddly enough, this book talks more about Faeries and defends many accused of witchcraft of influence by the fair folk upon the glens and moors.

It is a remarkable work that has Scott's own articulate hand bringing a very interesting world of Celtic myths and fables to life while the rigors of a new age dawn upon them.

Strangeness from the Age of Reason
I had always thought of Sir Walter as a rather rational, stodgy, Brit - then I came cross a copy of this book - now I'm not sure what to think. Sir Walter actually seemed to believe many local superstitions (the Banshee, for example). The odd thing is that he seems to have "scientificly" weighed all the evidence. But I guess that if you were sitting around the fire on a cold Scotish night being told ghost stories, your objectivity could be expected to drop at least somewhat. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. New Age / Parapsychology   2. Philosophy   3. Satanism   4. Witchcraft & Wicca   

Customer Reviews (13)

Disappointing
I'm afraid I have to agree with the majority this time... I'm a true-crime buff, and I found this book to be somewhere between 'mediocre' and 'disappointing'. While the story was interesting, it was not very well written, and it was definitely lacking in depth. The reader is left wondering what really happened the night of the murder, because the killing itself is barely touched upon. Also, I did not get any sense of "getting to know" the characters -- not any of them. The last third of the book was downright boring, and the reader is left with many questions. I wouldn't recommend this book.

Great!
I don't see why everyone always has to critize books expecially when it is a true life story about a young girl who died not knowing she was going to. (even if the book lacked information) I can diffenitly say that this book is my favorite. Its a book that keeps you wanting to read it all the way through, with out stopping. I recommened this book to anyone who cares about what goes on in this world. I am deeply sorry for Elyse's family. I am glad those bastards got the sentence they deserved.

horribly written, repetitive, sensationalistic
this book is, as might be expected, terribly written and totally dull, and of course it doesn't even begin to probe how horrific or really disturbing this crime in particular was, but it does have some info in it. i heard about this slaying in 1997 and saw the novel in a mall bookstore, and bought it. there is something about this crime--three predatory, evil, psychopathic monsters luring a mischevious but basically innocent young girl into the woods to murder, rape, and torture her--that, to put it mildly, makes one despair. i am theoretically against the death penalty, but this case particular i have to admit that i would applaud the execution of these three genetic wastes. he tries to make the teenager who confessed into some sad hero because he came forward and admitting to stabbing a helpless girl to death. wow. what a prince. maybe we should give him a kiss, a hug, and a gold star. i sympathize with alienated and disaffected teenagers, having been one myself, but this is simply a matter of evil. even at my angriest and most decadent, and this is true not only of me but of my more dissenting and rebellious friends in high school, would i have been capable of anything like this. strap them in the chair, and if you can get away with it, put em on the rack. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arroyo Grande   2. California   3. Case studies   4. Human sacrifice   5. Murder - General   6. Nonfiction - True Crime / Espionage   7. Pahler, Elyse Marie   8. Ritual abuse   9. Satanism   10. True Crime   

Customer Reviews (5)

Only If You're Exhausted Other Resources
Dr. Colin Ross has a knack for providing interesting reading material with not-so-easily read text. This book is no exception. Although it has some interesting points, most of the book seemed to stress a non-belief that Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA) is real. He believes most of it is from distorted memories and he doesn't seem to be open to exceptions. I have worked with Dr. Ross while in-patient in one of his hospitals. Being an RA survivor, I know that he is genuine in his approach, but very skeptical.

Interesting reading, but not a good resource for someone wanting to hear an unbiased approach on the subject. My opinion? If you're really that interested in a book on SRA, click the back arrow key and keep looking. :v(

Interesting but flawed
Ross (a psychiatrist) argues well on the treatment and diagnosis of MPD, but many of his other arguments are flawed. In his section on the history of cults and secret societies (upon which tries to base his argument that multi-level,"orthodox" satansim exists) he relies on a small number of books which themselves are highly debatable, and extrememely unscholarly. Most of them are the usual run-of-the-mill conspiracy theories involving how the Masons are trying to take over the world by subliminally inserting satanic ideas into children's movies. Thus the conclusions he reaches about the "evidence" for ritual abuse (other than recovered memories) contains flaws and immense logical leaps. Since his background is psychology we might forgive him for this, but he definitely should have performed more thorough research before writing his book.

LIMITED APPLICATION FOR GENUINE SRA VICTIMS
Although the book is well written and obviously well researched, this does not override the fact that the author(s) is very negative towards the memories of SRA victims, and encourages therapists to consider the majority of SRA memories as "imaginary" or "enhanced". Sad reflection on psychological counselling for victims. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mental Illness   2. Multiple personality   3. Psychology   4. Rehabilitation   5. Ritual abuse victims   6. Rituals   7. Satanism   8. Treatment   

Customer Reviews (2)

Bedeviled
It was a great show while it lasted, the subject of fervent newspaper reports, television specials and an exposé by Geraldo Rivera in the 1980s. Satanism was rampant across America, nay, the world, with protean manifestations, if people would just pay attention. Twenty years before, there had been Satanism, but it was not very well publicized and not very interesting. But somehow it became the fashionable scare. How did this happen, and what should we do about it?

Bill Ellis is a folklorist, and an academic specializing in English and American studies. His book, Raising the Devil: Satanism, New Religions, and the Media (University Press of Kentucky) attempts a sympathetic understanding of how the Devil made one of his cyclic emergences and how folklore can affect society and politics. Scares about Satan and witchcraft have been present for centuries, and seem to give a safety valve for social aggression, scapegoating deviant individuals. At the individual level of, say, someone who thinks he is possessed by a demon and someone who thinks he can cast that demon out, there is a social agreement on a folkloric belief that may be beneficial for both concerned (if not for the demon). But Ellis's theme is that social groups can take over a folkloric belief to push a religious or governmental agenda, with disastrous consequences. He shows how demon possession and speaking in tongues are two sides of the same coin, and how belief in demons was ballooned into the belief that there was a huge underground satanic network ruining our country. Those who promulgated such conspiracy beliefs also bought into conspiracies involving Jews, vampires, the Illuminati, and cattle mutilations.

Raising the Devil is an academic work, well documented and organized. Ellis tries to illuminate the role of the folklorist in examining these sorts of belief, and realizes that he and his fellows have the difficult road to follow of accepting folklore (even if it is patently untrue) as a force between small numbers of individuals, while they also have to confront institutions that would harness folklore for political or religious change. His academic prose is leavened by the strange subject matter. For instance, the Governor of Colorado is quoted as saying that cattle mutilations were "one of the greatest outrages in the history of the western cattle industry," and a leader of a coven in England warned about bogus cult groups, as he had heard about one in which members "started getting in prostitutes dressed in rubber gear and there was wife swapping, too. It gives Satanism a bad name."

GREAT BOOK!!
This is a book that I could not put down! It explains how the media reacts so viciously to Satanism and new religions, which they know very little about. I myself am a Satanist and think that the media makes it sound much more evil than it really is. I think this was a good book because I can relate to the media and Satanists. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cults   2. Demonology   3. Folklore & Mythology   4. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore   5. General   6. Literature: Folklore/Mythology   7. Popular Culture - General   8. Satanism   9. Social Science   10. Sociology   

Customer Reviews (5)

Wrongheaded
I've seen too much damage come out of the trumped-up ritual abuse hysteria of the '80s/'90s. Thank God (yes, I'm a Christian), that this mostly-imagined phenomenon is no longer "happening." This book, while well-intentioned, is not based in reality.

Very Truthful
I read this book with great sadness and hope. Almost all of what is described in this book has happened to me over a period of 18 years. I no longer felt quite so alone. It was a very difficult book to read, but it helped me educate psychology students in a nearby college about ritual abuse and MPD, which I was diagnosed with over a decade ago. Anyone who is a skeptic of ritual abuse should read this book. Ms. Smith starts with a reasonable arguement based with facts that ritual abuse does indeed exist. I also applaud the fact that this book was published in a cover that appeared non-threatening. (It's in soft pastel colors, unlike the red, black and white colors of the covers of some other books on ritual abuse.) Thank you Ms. Smith for your sensitivity and frankness. I hope this book will be on the published list once again.

One of the best books about ritual abuse
There are many books today about ritual abuse. Some of them are wrtten by armchair sceptics, who, in spite of all evidence to the contrary, dismiss the whole subject as a "modern myth". Others are written by professionals who believe in the existence of ritual abuse but indeed write from a very distanced and academic point of view. This kind of books can of course be quite useful for researchers. But I think that the best boks about ritual abuse is written by survivors. This is one of these books. It is well written and pedagogic. I think it is a great recource for survivors, and to those who want to support them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abuse   2. Adult Child Abuse Victims   3. Child Abuse   4. General   5. Politics - Current Events   6. Ritual abuse   7. Ritual abuse victims   8. Satanism   9. Sociology   10. United States   

Customer Reviews (9)

Interesting Read, Great Resource
A fantastic resource for skeptics and believers in the hidden world alike, At the Bottom of the Garden tracks the reasons behind the fairy mythos from ancient roots to present day UFOs. Despite criticisms of Purkiss's scholarship, the book sheds more light on the human condition than anything else, and is an excellent resource for writers and others who are trying to understand the way human need creates myths.

NOT WORTH GETTING FROM THE LIBRARY
A MUCH BETTER READ IS "THE WORLD GUIDE TO GNOMES, FARIES, ELVES, AND OTHER LITTLE PEOPLE" BY THOMAS KEIGHTLEY. ALSO K.M. BRIGGS HAS GREAT BOOKS ON FARIES THOUGH MOST OF HER BOOKS ARE OUT OF PRINT. TO KNOW THE DARK SIDE OF FARIES IS EASY JUST READ ANY BOOK ON CELIIC LORE OR FOLK TALES FROM THE LATE 1600'S WHICH THOMAS KEIGHTLEY HAS MANY OLD DARK TALES IN HIS BOOK. DIANE PURKIS SAYS NOTHING NEW IN THIS BOOK AND TRIES HER BEST TO MIX HER FEMINIST SWING INTO EVERY PAGE.

The dark side of Faery
Faery lore is a complicated thing--a mishmash of myths, beliefs, and tales that don't always add up to a coherent whole. Much has been written about the connection between faeries and half-remembered indigenous gods, and about the possibility that faeries were actually an ancient race of humans banished to the wilds. The market is filled, today, with books of beautiful and sweet faeries. But there is no other book like this one.

Diane Purkiss's theory is that the faeries are reminiscent of the demons of the Mediterranean culture--the lamashtu who steals babies away into death, the lamia who seduces and devours men--and that faery lore deals with the same issues as these earlier myths. The faeries, she contends, were an explanation for why beautiful young people were taken away in illness and death. She tells heartbreaking stories of women who tortured and abandoned their sick babies, thinking them changelings; she disturbs us with the tale of Michael Cleary, who killed his wife and honestly seemed to believe his *real* wife would return to him now that he had disposed of the faery impostor. A far-fetched belief? Perhaps not; fairy stories of the time seemed to advocate just such actions. Purkiss takes us on an uncomfortable journey through the most brutal of faery myths, then into the Victorian age, when faeries became a symbol of idealized childhood. But there was a dark side to this as well--onstage "faeries" were played by street orphans who lived incredibly hard lives, and Barrie's _Peter Pan_ takes on a very different undertone when it comes out that the children in the play were based on children Barrie had known, who had *died young* and therefore stayed forever young.

I would have given this book five stars for its unique and disturbing perspective--it ought to be on the shelves of faery enthusiasts if only for balance--but I subtracted a star because Purkiss insists that her theory is the only valid way to look at the fairy-faith. There are many different beliefs that shaped the concept of the faery; I applaud Purkiss for digging into some of the darkest ones. But, as I said before, balance...balance...balance. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Demonology   2. Fairies   3. Fairies in art   4. Fairies in literature   5. Folklore   6. Folklore & Mythology   7. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore   8. General   9. History   10. Literary Criticism   11. Science Fiction & Fantasy   12. Sociology   13. Myths & mythology   14. Novels, other prose & writers   15. Satanism & demonology   

Customer Reviews (1)

Mashed Potatoes
In the realm of demon-baiting, this book is a solid helping of mashed potatoes to the Twinkies and Jell-o served up by critters like Bob Larson. On the one hand, if you really want to understand what basis people who actually believe this stuff are going on, this can be nourishing. If you're merely reading for recreation, however - and let's face it, in the end that's the only practical reason for filling your head with this material - you're likely to find it somewhat lumpy and bland. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Pentecostalism   2. Demonology & Satanism   3. Devotional   4. Inspirational - General   5. Religion   6. Religion - Prayer & Spirituality   7. Revivals   8. Satanism   

Customer Reviews (2)

A Good Dose of Reality
This book is an excellent read, especially for mainstream, conservative Christians who become a bit paranoid, or overly concerned about "demonic" influences. This book gives a balanced perspective in understanding the underlying social and religious influences that brought about the practice of folk magic. Subjects discussed are the origins of chain-letters, the "lucky" rabbit's foot, Ouija Boards, Root Doctors, Mirror-Gazing, scary graveyard legends, and many other related folklore topics. While reading this book, most people will recall the use of some sort of folk magic or practice within their own family history or from their own personal experiences. It is very interesting to read how and why these practices came about.Of particular interest is the chapter that addresses Evangelical Christianity and the roots of its beginning...a real eye-opener for Christians who want to "cast the first stone" at anything that even remotely has the "appearance of evil".This is a great read, and I highly recommend it.

Modern Manifestations of Ancient Traditions
The worldwide popularity of the Harry Potter books has been seen as a boon not just for publishers, but for children who are getting excited about reading and are looking forward to reading the next one. But a large segment of American society does not see this as good news. The books are seen by some Christian fundamentalists as spiritually dangerous to children, since they introduce concepts of the occult in attractive ways. Certainly not all Christians feel this way, recognizing the books as belonging to the type of fantasies written by Christians like C. S. Lewis and others. If fundamentalists feel that the Harry Potter books are the works of the devil, however, they are in good historical company. In _Lucifer Ascending: The Occult in Folklore and Popular Culture_ (University Press of Kentucky), Bill Ellis has continued an academic query which he described in his previous _Raising the Devil_. While his current book is not an analysis of Harry Potter books and the movement against them, J. K. Rowling's works are shown to be just a contemporary part of folklore beliefs that have gone back for centuries.

Witchcraft was (and is) practiced in opposition to an increasingly rationalistic theology. The practices allow marginalized groups to use traditions to give themselves a sense of degree of control over their lives, but can also be employed by those who have no particular conflict with society. Ellis examines such hardware of the occult as the "grimoire" or magic book, chain letters (!), and even the rabbit's foot. He shows how young people are especially prone to old-time occult activity. Since medieval times, people have made special trips to, say, Neolithic monuments. Folklorists call this "legend-tripping," and teenagers have kept up the tradition. The trip, often to a forbidden house or a graveyard, is made in a cultivated atmosphere of fear; stories of previous trippers who suffered the penalty for violating the taboo get passed along and keep the tripping alive rather than restraining it. Ellis shows that teens calling upon spirits by means of the Ouija board is quite similar to calling spirits out during exorcisms, an illustration of how belief in the occult actually compliments and supports orthodox belief. Frightened fundamentalists may be taking the Ouija threat too seriously; one student user says, "You really don't get any answers that mean anything. We just get drunk and have a good time."

Ellis, himself an active Lutheran, makes clear that he is not advocating for the folklore practices described here, or even apologizing for them. He admits that while many of the practices might be harmless, spooky fun for teens, there may be bad consequences as well. He gives such concrete examples as vandalism resulting from a graveyard visit, rather than the possibility that Satan might take over the souls doing the trip. His is an academic work, but even so, with its unusual themes, it is an entertaining one. He is especially amused by the famous spoof article in the satirical paper _The Onion_, telling about how satanic groups were being overwhelmed by Harry Potter readers trying to join up. The article was ridiculous, but was sent as a chain letter by many Christian youth counselors as a bona fide warning about the danger Harry poses. Their more Internet-savvy students were embarrassed that their elders could not tell reality from a joke. _The Onion_ just gave the elders an opportunity to overreact, but Ellis's book shows that the pattern of overreaction, giving definition to both orthodoxy and the occult, has been going on for centuries. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cults   2. Demonology & Satanism   3. Folklore & Mythology   4. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore   5. Occultism   6. Popular Culture - General   7. Satanism   8. Social Science   9. Sociology   10. Superstition   

Customer Reviews (3)

Lies
Two people who have Ph.D.s should have learned long ago to research the topic they're going to write about, espiecally if they are against it. I am not a Satanist, but, as someone who studies religions, I feel the best way to research and talk about a religion is by reading the major books about the religion. They mentioned Anton Szander Lavey twice in the book, and never sited anything from "The Satanic Bible". This was very convienant for them because, if they had, they would have learned that it actually says the words "Satanists do NOT sacrifice humans or animals"... as well as "Satanists do not take part in rape, child molestation, or defilment of animals". If they would have researched, they would have found that they were wrong.

Blah...
Aiight first off I wanna state that I am a Christian and this is not a slam on Satanist cause I have friends who are. Satanism is a religion,not a disease. It is not the evil influence of Heavy Metal and such stuff cause I myself listen to Metal and used to be a Satanist. Books should not be written to run down Stanists,no one does that to Christians...So,this book is plain out and simply another false illusion and all copies should be burned...

An experienced look
I tried not to be overly objective and I also attempted to be open to the contents of this book, I still found some things very hard to swallow. I have not yet fully completed my reading, but I will tell you this...Satanism is not a mental disease. The mental disease area belongs to those who think as this book reads. I have been a Satanist my entire adult life. But to tell me that I have a mental disease not a relgion is just the same as saying that all Christians and Catholics are diseased. If you do read this book, just remember...those who write about what they do not know spead a sead of misinformation and seads of the brain if used unwisley can be very distructive. I will give you a full editorial when I am finished from cove to cover. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12   2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)   3. General   4. Juvenile literature   5. Mental health   6. Psychology   7. Satanism   8. Social Problems (General) (Young Adult)   

Customer Reviews (2)

Read me!
I thought this book was so good! It was one of those you never want to put down! It kept you on the edge of your seat the whole time! You never knew what was going to happen next!

Excellent book!
I'm reading this book right now, and it's totally engrossing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction   2. Detective and mystery stories   3. Fiction   4. Fiction - Psychological Suspense   5. Occult fiction   6. Psychological   7. Satanism   8. Women private investigators   

Subjects:  1. 16th century   2. Body, Mind & Spirit   3. Europe - Great Britain - General   4. History   5. History - General History   6. Magick Studies   7. Modern - General   8. New Age   9. Scotland   10. Witchcraft   11. Witchcraft & Wicca   12. British & Irish history: c 1500 to c 1700   13. Satanism & demonology   

Reflecting 26 years as a deputy sheriff in northeastern Iowa, Donald Harstad's first book, a topnotch thriller about an Iowa deputy sheriff named Carl Houseman, is full of convincing details of everyday police work and is told in such a droll, natural voice that you'll swear you've met both author and hero. "When I got home, Sue was a littleangry," Houseman says about his wife. "I'd neglected to leave her a note about the meeting. Consequently, supper had turned out to be a problem. She'd taken care of it by making a taco-type soup, so it was still warm when I got there. She'd eaten." In other hands, the story (a series of ritual murders, a Satanic cult, the possible involvement of a local clergyman) might seem over the top. But Harstad's dead-on, no-nonsense manner makes it all very convincing--and extremely readable. --Dick Adler ... Read more

Customer Reviews (60)

Reads like Nonfiction
ISBN: 0-553-58148-1
Title: Eleven Days
Author: Donald Harstad
Publisher: Bantam Books
"Eleven Days," debut novel of ex-cop and Iowa author Donald Harstad is a blockbuster of a read. Harstad's experiences as a police officer shine through in his style, a style that reads like an official record of a crime. "Eleven Days" introduces us to Deputy Sheriff Carl Houseman resident of Maitland, Iowa. The day officers discover mutilated bodies in an out-of-the-way farmhouse and the next eleven days of investigation consume the time and efforts of the town's police force.
Although top cops from around the state and even an expert from New York get involved in the inquiry, it is step-by-step, follow-every-lead good old fashioned detective work that opens the case and leads to its solution.
Harstad's narrative reads like a non-fiction case report, it is gutsy, true-to-life, in-your-face, criminal investigation. "Eleven Days" is action packed suspense with richly detailed characters, believable dialogue and a plot that keeps you turning pages all the way to the surprise ending and the unveiling of the perpetrator. I can't wait to pick up his next novel. Congratulations Donald Harstad on a magnificent debut novel.
Beverly J Scott author of "Righteous Revenge" and "Ruth Fever." Reviewer for Intriguing Authors and Their Books at http://www.funeralassociates.com/authors.htm

America's Heartland
Something creepy is happening in America's heartland. 911 operators in Maitland, Iowa receive a call about a mass murder at an outlying farmhouse. when arriving there Deputy Sheriff Carl Houseman finds a grisly murder scene. One day later they uncover a mass murder at another farm. Both of these scenes have Satanic overtones. Definitely something you wouldn't expect to find in the heart of America.

Donald Harstad in his novel Eleven Days creates an every man character with Carl Houseman, with his understated ways and tongue in cheek humor. The environment of the station house and the various people who populate the story are both interesting and ordinary. Many of us know a Sally who wants more from life and Hester who constantly has to prove herself to the guy's club.

The mystery itself is riveting and grisly. It leads the reader along at a fast pace until the final conclusion. For those who appreciate the genre it is an easy sell. Others may feel the gory details are excessive. Some readers may disprove of the "ordinary" characters and style of the author. To me this is part of the appeal of the book . I first read Known Dead by the author and wanted to read other books by Mr. Harstad and am glad that I did.

A superb achievement.....
Donald Harstad's first novel (inspired by true events) was absorbing. I first read this novel during the winter of my final year of medical school (when I was researching the dark aspect of the human experience). I curled up with this engaging tome for an entire weekend. It was time well-spent.
The novel begins with a bizarre & twisted murder scene in a rural Iowa farmhouse. The juxtaposition of this scene in the setting of an innocent, serene town sets the stage for the novel. The ensuing investigation w/ its twists & turns is certainly suspenseful. I enjoyed the section where an expert in satanically-inspired crime is imported into the investigation from the East Coast. His analysis of the nature of the crime is intriguing. Moreover, the novel also alludes to the different strata which exist amongst practitioners of Satanism; for instance, there are the mere dabblers in this dark art who view it as a diversion while there are the ascetic devotees who literally adhere to its principles and thus are more warped & dangerous. If I had written this novel, I would have explored the psychological factors driving the different characters in this novel, especially the elusive serial killer. Perhaps Mr. Harstad is saving this material for a sequel, a psychological study of the serial killer. This would make a fascinating novel as well. It's been 3 years since I first read this novel. I plan to revisit it soon. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy reading suspenseful novels dealing w/ occult themes. Address an email letter to Dr. Nicholas Lianna (nehalpatel1975@yahoo.com) for further discussion of this work. In his spare time, Dr. Lianna, M.D. (in the realm of internal medicine) has been investigating aberrant psychology, psychopathology in the domain of psychiatry, different modalities of bio- & psychotherapy, and other instances of the dark aspect of the human experience during the last several years. He is in the midst of constructing a compilation of his findings, analyses, & final conclusions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abduction   2. American First Novelists   3. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction   4. Fiction   5. Fiction - Psychological Suspense   6. Iowa   7. Mystery/Suspense   8. Police   9. Satanism   10. Suspense   11. Thrillers   12. Fiction / Suspense