Aleister Crowley
Magick, Rock and Roll, and the Wickedest Man in the World
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3.2 • 5 Ratings
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
This definitive work on the occult’s “great beast” traces the arc of his controversial life and influence on rock-and-roll giants, from the Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin to Black Sabbath.
When Aleister Crowley died in 1947, he was not an obvious contender for the most enduring pop-culture figure of the next century. But twenty years later, Crowley’s name and image were everywhere. The Beatles put him on the cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The Rolling Stones were briefly serious devotees. Today, his visage hangs in goth clubs, occult temples, and college dorm rooms, and his methods of ceremonial magick animate the passions of myriad occultists and spiritual seekers.
Aleister Crowley is more than just a biography of this compelling, controversial, and divisive figure—it’s also a portrait of his unparalleled influence on modern pop culture.
Customer Reviews
Too Biased
Most of the book is another biography of Crowley; the effect of Crowley on more recent culture was briefly tacked on the end, like an afterthought. The author’s acrimony toward the subject is palatable, he too frequently makes little digs at Crowley. This book is just too biased for me. I wanted to like it.
Frater Universus
Lachman is an excellent writer and his source material is vast. However, his experience with the OTO casts a shadow over the genius that is Aleister Crowley. In fact, Lachman covers the evolution of Aleister Crowley from his Christian given name through his many spiritual permutations of his higher self. Lachman’ s facts are correct but he leaves a stain on one the World’s most intelligent, spiritual giants. Crowley was an incarnation of a master magician on the level of the Buddha, Thoth, Mercury, Mathers, and Paracelsus. Although Crowley lived with unbridled hedonism, he also proved that enlightenment requires daily discipline. In other words, one must understand both extremes to reach samadhi. I’m giving Lachman three stars for his accuracy, references to Crowley’s influence on Pop Culture, and Hollywood while simultaneously giving the grandiose overview of a life well lived. In addition, Lachman knew he had to utilize the given names and spiritual names of Frater Perdurabo and his followers. We enjoyed it. But, one must overlook the negative statements about Crowley, AA, The GD, & The OTO. With regard to occultism and esoterica, Lachman has one foot in the microcosm and his brain in the macrocosm making for an entertaining read. 1️⃣1️⃣=MAGICK.