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eileen91's review against another edition
2.0
Very academic and not very interesting. it is vaguely informative.
pocketvolcano's review
2.0
This book disappointed me so much but part of it is my fault for not seeing when it was originally published. I think some of the info is outdated now. But parts of it were dry and it was a chore to slog through. Definitely not keeping this on my shelf.
krislea's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this introduction to the dark arts, providing an overview of things I'm interested in from fiction and curiosity -- such as numerology, astrology, and ritual magic. It helped me connect these systems in logical ways. In addition to this book, Cavendish has a 24-volume encyclopedia of the supernatural. He has certainly put in the research.
shadestate's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.0
The best way to use the information in this Crowley-obsessed book is as an esoteric knowledge calibration tool.
If you can’t correct the book (or the author’s attitude) at least once every other page, you’ve found a topic that you haven’t mastered the basics+ of yet.
Two stars instead of one because in that sense, this book was very useful.
If you can’t correct the book (or the author’s attitude) at least once every other page, you’ve found a topic that you haven’t mastered the basics+ of yet.
Two stars instead of one because in that sense, this book was very useful.
cheezh8er's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
3.0
Fairly dry and academic, but if you're looking to learn more about the history of magic in judeo christian societies it's a good resource.
hankspecter's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Great book
thegrimhobbyist's review against another edition
I tried so hard to keep reading this, as the information - even as outlandish as it all is - is fascinating. Unfortunately, Cavendish did not write this well enough to keep reading. It was an explosion of information, one sentence a new idea that bleeds into the next. If this was organized in some sort of way, instead of written like the ravings of a mad man, then perhaps I could have continued reading. But my brain could not filter through all the information crammed into each paragraph, so I must stop.