The Devil's Notebook [Paperback]

Anton Szandor LaVey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000

Wisdom, humor, and dark observations by the founder of the Church of Satan. LaVey ponders such topics as nonconformity, occult faddism, erotic politics, the "Goodguy badge," demoralization and the construction of artificial human companions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 147 pages
• Publisher: Feral House (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0922915113
• ISBN-13: 978-0922915118
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,902 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

102 of 116 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I know it's Satanism, but shouldn't it be called humor?, December 18, 2000

By 

Chiron (....) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Devil's Notebook (Paperback)

As any Satanist can tell you, LaVey was a man full of biting wit, iconoclastic insight and, above all, a most astute and adroit observer of human folly and misinterpretation, himself being subjected to the latter more than anyone in recent memory.

In this book, published after two decades of inactivity (to the world of print), LaVey sheds light on many interesting topics, bringing his usual dose of sardonic humor to the printed page.

A particular essay comes to mind when I think of this book- it's called "Hatha Toilet Seat Meditaion," and if it doesn't solicit laughter from you, nothing will. For those of you who are familiar with it, I'm certain you're grinning right now. For those who aren't, read the book and find out why.

Other essays focus on some pretty forbiding topics, and the level of candor expressed by LaVey never lets us forget that while the media may have portrayed him as several things- none of which were especially flattering- we will continue to respect him for the insight he shared with us, remembering the first time we read the "Satanic Bible," a book that for many of us described the thoughts we'd always thought, but never knew anyone else did.

So, when you read this book, say to yourself with a sigh of gratification, "Hail Satan!"

If you'd like to contact me, you can do so at [e-mail]

If you're a recently self-discovered Satanist, you have my best wishes for your continued learning and exploration.

HS!

45 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Unique Collection of Satanic Essays, November 14, 1999

By 

Richard Ballard "rjballard" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Devil's Notebook (Paperback)

This book is a well-written collection of Mr. LaVey's essays. For the most part this book is not required to understand The Church of Satan. The book does highlight Mr. LaVey's unique philosophy and various related topics. The range of topics is too broad to summarize, so I'll list several highlights:

"Ravings From Tartarus": Why ritual spells do not work, and how to accomplish your goals.

"The Importance of Keeping a Secret": Types of secrets, and methods to ensure secrecy.

"Nonconformity -- Satanism's Secret Weapon": The Satanist as Master in a throng of weak-willed slaves.

"Let Me Entertain You": Techniques for maintaining your Satanist identity of dominance. "Responsibility for the responsible..."

"The Construction of Artificial Human Companions": Building android companions. "Read between the 'lie-ons'" concerning android joint construction, then re-read "Nonconformity -- Satanism's Secret Weapon".

"Misanthropia": The psychology of Satanists and their android companions. "Read between the 'lie-ons'", then re-read "Nonconformity -- Satanism's Secret Weapon".

Keep your ice open.

90 of 112 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Importance of Literacy in a Book Review, August 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Devil's Notebook (Paperback)

This isn't so much a review as it is a critical look at one of the "Doc's" detractors:

On June 2, 1998 [e-mail] stated: "LAVEY IS NOTHING BUT A LIER! " First of all, it's spelled "liar". Second, the glorification of the "self" is an oft overlooked philosophy, which is something most religions are--it's called "theosophy". I wish I could give you a break, kind sir, but the only Satanists who "wine" are connoisseurs of said beverage and "whining" is something that you, Mr. Magick, are extremely adept at! And if that's not bad enough, you said "wine" twice--once is a typo, the second time reveals an intellect below a 5th grade reading level. For someone who boldly states "I am a Wiccan" and "disagree with Christianity" you sure seem quick to defend a religion that considers YOU a "heretic." Next, I would like to answer these following questions:

Q. What religion came first (a) satanism or (b) christianity?

A. That would be "Which religion" and as to the one that "came first", well, most of us stopped playing that game when we graduated from grade school.

Q. What is the name of the opposing force, the evil force in christianity?

A. LaVey clearly states in his manifesto that Satan is a "concept" and is as far removed from the "Satan" of Christianity as the "Easter Bunny" is in the Resurrection of Christ.

And please don't refer to me as "peopel"; here in the land of "coherent statements" we refer to ourselves as "people", some of us even consider ourselves "individuals." If it is indeed true that LaVey created Satanism as a controversey, then why are YOU causing such an uproar? If you are going to use a literary forum such as amazon.com for your pulpit, at least you could have the common courtesy to master your syntax and grammar first.

Hail Satan!

--Bear23