Apocalypse Culture [Paperback]

Adam Parfrey (Editor), Boyd Rice (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1987

"Apocalypse Culture is compulsory reading for all those concerned with the crisis of our times. An extraordinary collection unlike anything I have ever encountered. These are the terminal documents of the twentieth century."—J.G. Ballard

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

For years I've been a little leery of this book. First published in 1987, this anthology of doomster essays has become a fixture on the bookshelves of every Tom, Pierced Dick, and Harry. After finally reading it, I have to admit that my prejudice against those who think that being cool means reading lots of ReSearch magazines kept me away from what is actually a fascinating volume, wherein the most absurd, inexcusable positions are defended with calm intelligence and witty rationality. With essays ranging from the sexual liberation of necrophiliacs to strong cases against art and agriculture, editor Adam Parfrey's collection is one that Tristan Tzara would enjoy, if he were to rise from his mouldy grave in search of good bathroom reading. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Since his influential collection, Apocalypse Culture, was first released in 1987, the award-winning writer Adam Parfrey has been credited for discovering and revealing the inner workings of cults and unusual pop culture histories. With "Love, Sex, Fear, Death," Parfrey has captured the cooperation of primary players in the most secretive and talked about cult of our time.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Amok Press; 1st edition (1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941693023
• ISBN-13: 978-0941693028
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,280,767 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Apocalypsis Iesu Christi..., May 9, 2003

By 

zonaras (Jimbo's House of Pie) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apocalypse Culture (Paperback)

"The Apocatastis: We are living during the time of a great apocatastis, the Greek term for the return of all things that have been lost and the revelation of all things at the end of time."

The apparent thesis of Adam Parfrey's APOCALYPSE CULTURE is that all insane, mind-blowing and utterly bizarre ideas, theories and behaviors will be manifested and then the end will come. The book, published in the late 80's, is a collection of essays, short stories, articles, rambling tid-bits and other odds-and-ends from a variety of authors. The prevailing themes in APOCALYPSE CULTURE could be classified as conspiracy theory, paranoia, schizophrenia, apocalypticism, surrealism, ultra-anarchism, nihilism, libertarianism, anti-materialism, Luddite, anti-establishment, occultism, Satanic, and egotism.

A number of the essays stood out. "Infernal Texts" is a collection of quotes from various sources about man's total worthlessness and the need for a massive upheaval to eradicate the false social order that is now in place. "The Invisible War" by ... La Vey is about how constant sensory bombardments upon human beings in the modern world constitutes a collective genocide against humanity. "The Cereal Box Conspiracy" details the negative effects of sugar breakfast cereal marketing towards children, how it takes advantages of their inner fears and sexual ambiguity. "From the Mark of the Beast to the Black Messiah Phenomenon" is about a Christian researcher's theories as to who the antichrist is, and the antichrist will apparently be a black man who will be worshipped by Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and others the world over. "Eugenics: the Orphaned Science" presents the pro-eugenics position, and gives quotes of famous people who argued for improving the biological stock of mankind through selective breeding. "The Christian Right, Zionism and the Coming Penteholocaust" is an especially disturbing and interesting study examining the relationship between militant Israelis and their Christian fundamentalist supporters in the US. Their goal is a 'Greater Israel' in the Middle East with a rebuilt Temple and Jewish control of most of Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Lebannon. This is supposed to be a part of Biblical prophecy, according to the fundies, and it is necessary for this set up to occur before World War III begins and Christ can return. "Vengeance in Secret Societies" studies how secret societies in world history used violence and terrorism to further their political goals, starting with the Assassins in the Middles East during the time of the Muslim Caliphate. "The Call to Chaos" by James Shelby Downard is one of the most ???--huh things I've read--something about a magical bottle at the test site of the first nuclear bomb and it has something to do the the cabalistic/Masonic uniting of the mystical male and female sexual energies. Speaking of nukes, the last essay, "Meditations on the Atom and Time" will blow your mind as it relates how the nuclear bomb has achieved godlike status in our collective psyche.

An important lesson to be learned from APOCALYPSE CULTURE considering the popularity of US meddling in Middle Eastern affairs today: "It is an ancient belief of black magic that manifesting the presence of the diety required sacrifice of human victims. It was also believed that the life energy of the victims would increase the potency and longevity of the sorcerer. A mass sacrifice might even confer enough energy to make the sorcerer immortal. Could this be the reason among the circles of the Christian Right, that the Penteholocaust, the sacrificial burning of death, will invoke Christ the vampire and render his disciples immortal."

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the world's going to hell in a handbasket, June 23, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Apocalypse Culture (Paperback)

_Apocalyspe Culture_ edited by Adam Palfrey (second edition) is a hard book to classify; perhaps the closest one could get is to describe it as a compilation of alternative writings on the sorry state of current society.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part points to the evidence of our society's moral decay, with essays ranging from one that encourages self-castration, to an interview with an admitted necrophiliac, to the Muslim program as outlined by Elijah Muhammed. The second part of the book purports to show the sociopolitcal results of the decay of our culture, and includes an essay by the founder of the Church of Satan, much about the supposedly secret role that the Freemasons play in the political arena, and the connection between the atomic bomb and mysticism.

This book isn't for everyone, particularly not the faint of heart because of some of the photos included. However, I found it interesting, if disturbing, reading. Highly recommended for people who think the world's going to hell in a handbasket, or just like to read material about the outer fringes of society.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get this book., May 23, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Apocalypse Culture (Paperback)

Reality is mediated, and most people don't have the time or interest in exploring different realities -- but for those of us who know that reality is a strange and wonderful place, AC is alot of fun. This book opens up the world for the reader and explores regions of mankind which are ignored by the national media. Get this book and read it, and never again be satisfied with the commodified, safe version of humankind delivered by traditional sources. Conspiracy, freaks, the end of civilization; Take a look.