Synopses & Reviews
The Book of Lies is a witty, instructive, and admirable collection of paradoxes; however, it is not a philosophical or mystical treatise. Actually, its subtleties exhilarate. Scholars have said it is "stupendously idiotic and amazingly clever." To endeavor to translate into definite terms Crowley's aphorisms would detract from the value of the book. It is wiser for readers to make their own interpretation.
The ninety-three chapters, which may be a single word, a half dozen phrases, twenty paragraphs, or even two pages, have subjects determined more or less definitely by Qabalistic significance for example, Chapter 25 gives a revised ritual of the Pentagram.
The Commentaries following each chapter are equally outrageously impressive. Subtly embodied in the book is the entire symbolism of Freemasonry as well as the symbolism of other traditions. Aleistar Crowley was not only a deep well of fundamental knowledge but also an even deeper well of symbolic knowledge.
The Book of Lies was first published in 1913 far ahead of its time. The 1952 revision was significant because an additional commentary appeared at the end of each chapter. This latest reprinting is by popular demand.
Synopsis
This edition of Aleister Crowley's witty and instructive collection of paradoxes includes commentary by the author rarely found in other publications of the work. Written by the famed English occultist Aleister Crowley, The Book of Lies was first published in 1913. The book includes 93 chapters, each of which consists of one page of text. The chapters include a question mark, poems, rituals, instructions, and obscure allusions and cryptograms. The subject of each chapter is generally determined by its number and its corresponding qabalistic meaning.
Around 1921, Crowley wrote a short commentary about each chapter, assisting the reader in the qabalistic interpretation. That commentary is included in this edition from Weiser Books.
"Sometimes the text is serious and straightforward," writes Crowley of The Book of Lies, "sometimes its obscure oracles demand deep knowledge of the Qabalah for interpretation, others contain obscure allusions, play upon words, secrets expressed in cryptogram, double or triple meaning which must be combined in order to appreciate the full flavour; others again are subtly ironical or cynical. At first sight the book is a jumble of nonsense intended to insult the reader. It requires infinite study, sympathy, intuition and initiation. Given these I do not hesitate to claim that in none other of my writings have I given so profound and comprehensive an exposition of my philosophy."
Synopsis
An admirable collection of Crowley's aphorisms-- Witty, subtle, and instructive paradoxes that challenge and exhilarate.
About the Author
Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) was a magus, poet, sexual athlete, mountaineer, traitor, drug fiend, and Prophet of a New Eon. He has been dubbed "The Wickedest Man in the World." Author of 777, Diary of a Drug Fiend, and Book of Lies, as well as many other books, Crowley, with Freida Harris, also created the bestselling Thoth Tarot Deck.