| Author | Message | ||
     Steve Bacon (Stevebacon) Username: Stevebacon Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 90.210.209.176 |
I was wanting to read a biography on the infamous Aleister Crowley, and I see there are several available. My question is, have any of you read any of them? I want something fairly accessible, but I will go for the 'heavy-going option' if it's better. Any ideas? I know you lot are the most learned people I can think of, for such a topic. | ||
| Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin) Username: Richard_gavin Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 69.157.36.210 |
Steve, The life and Work of Aleister Crowley is a minefield, for certain. There is a glut of poorly-researched, sensationalist material on the man. A good deal of the Great Beast's scandalous reputation is not based on his Magickal practices, his philosophy, or even his life. Rather it is a bogus concotion pulled from the tabloids of the time. Fortunately, there is a fine, unbiased and extremely compelling biography entitled The Eye in the Triangle: An Interpretation of Aleister Crowley. To the best of my knowledge, the book is still in print through New Falcon Publications. Its author, Israel Regardie, was Crowley's personal secretary in the late '20s. His book is neither apologia nor a trashy condemnation. It is fair and, thankfully, highly readable. You needn't have to wade through The Master Therion's initiatory system in order to understand it. It's a great primer. Hope this helps! Best, Richard | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.194.4 |
Having read several of the available books on Crowley, I have to agree with Richard that Israel Regardie's is the best and most balanced. The late Gerald Suster also wrote a decent, fairly short biography of Crowley (The Legacy of the Beast), as well as one on his friend and mentor Regardie (Crowley's Apprentice). | ||
| Hubert (Hubert) Username: Hubert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 78.22.230.36 |
I always liked Colin Wilson's 40-page long treatment of Crowley in The Occult. The chapter is called "The Beast Himself". | ||
| Thomasb (Thomasb) Username: Thomasb Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 69.236.161.226 |
I've only read "Do What Thou Wilt" by Lawrence Sutin; it's readable, but I don't how it compares to others. | ||
| Steve Bacon (Stevebacon) Username: Stevebacon Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 90.210.209.176 |
Thanks, guys. I've noted the titles you've recommended, and I'll investigate them. I knew you'd help. Thanks again, chaps. |