Customer Reviews

The Devil's Notebook

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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 Justin@radiofreesatan.com

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

HS!

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.

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

On June 2, 1998 midnightmagick@hotmail.com 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

Everyone, listen. Realize that when you are talking about Satanism you need to know that it is not about conjuring "demons", killing Christians, and the "occult." It is about living your life to the fullest without any stupid religious restrictions, "rejoicing life in the carnal, the mundane, the flesh." Stop looking at it from a "Christian" point of view. This book is good, yes, but of course it's not the first book you want to get if you want to be a Satanist. If you want to do it right, GET THE SATANIC BIBLE 1st! You need to already know this. If you read The Devil's Notebook first, you won't get the right understanding. And enough of the LaVey insults. If you're a Satanist you should have more respect for the man. Nuff said.

Greetings Everyone. Out of all of Anton Lavey's works (satanic bible, satan speaks, and the satanic witch), this book rght here, "The Devil's Notebook" (in my opinion anyway) is the best of Lavey's works. At the same time that some of the stuff in this is humorous (read chapters "Duck-Billed Platitudes", "Hatha Toilet Seat Meditaion", and "The Whoopi Cushion Shall Rise Again" for instance) most of stuff that Lavey says in this book is so true I'm surprised Lavey himself is not a perfect human being. Chapters like "on the Importance of Being Evil", "The Goodguy badge" and "Two Wrongs Make A Right" I agree with completely. You'll have to buy the book yourself and see why. Of course, I'm not actually a satanist, I'm really an atheist, so the only thing that I do not agree with in this book is all that magic and occult [stuff] that plague all of Lavey's work (I know that satanism doesn't equal to devil worship and Lavey's work doesn't mention anything about virgin sacrifices, animal mutilation or any other sick stuff that christians like to credit satanist with, for those of you that are satanist and are reading this review, so relax). Anyway, I have read other of Lavey's works. The satanic bible was okay, but it was filled with stuff that people should already know by instinct, satanist or not. The Satanic witch is just about the only piece of Lavey's work that I find repugnant and stupid. Again, in my opinion, those of you that are starting into satanism and/or never read one of Lavey's works, satanist or not, I suggest you start with this book first before you read any other material by him.

This is the first collection of LaVey's short essays, ranging on a broad range of topics and makes an excellent companion to his later book, "Satan Speaks!" Like the later book this earlier book gives LaVey's opinions of everything from society, politics, religion, history, science, philosophy, metaphysics, technology. LaVey was certainly a well read guy. And in reading his works, you might find yourself saying, "Hey, that's right! I've seen that myself." or, "I never thought of it that way before!"

Here is a guy that has the guts to come out and call a spade a spade.

And like "Satan Speaks!" this earlier book will make you roll with laughter.

His essay "Hatha Toilet Seat Meditation," makes a good read, especially while in the bathroom! The other good one for reading while in the john is the essay about Fernando DePlancy (what a weird guy -- but hey, it takes all kinds!) They will tickle your funny bone.

LaVey also discusses his and others' peculiar fetishes and interests and also about his experiences as a carny.

This book will make you wonder, ponder, upset you, frighten you, and make you laugh. But it is not a boring read.

I feel kind of put off, if only because I have trouble giving this work more credit, simply because I find myself wondering how much was actually LaVey's own work. Run a google search on "LaVey", and you'll come across many websites, and many articles noting the fact that ASL was apparently quite a habitual falsifier. According to testimonies, research, and official documents, much of the life LaVey played up to the public, was built around tall tales. Everything from his name, to his personal holdings, to many of his "infamous" life experiences, were all made up or heavily exaggerated (apparently much of "The Satanic Bible" was just lifted from previous works, with no credit being given to said volumes.) Not to say that he isn't still an interesting individual from a psychological standpoint- it must have taken quite a sense of character for him to build up such a lifestyle, and, maybe he did indeed have a reason for all that carrying-on? Anyways, read this book for a collection of interesting, and sometimes thought provoking essays, whether they were all written by him or not.

I enjoyed this text immensely and was deeply moved by LaVey's dedication to the writing and the subject which he became a master of. This is a strong read and interesting for anyone of any faith.

This book is a collection of essays, written by Mr. (pope?) Lavey. Judging by the introduction, written by Adam Parfrey, it is some sort of tribute to him - though I am not for sure. It is good for entertainment, though not a whoooole lot else... but then again, books are a form of media, and the whole purpose of media is to entertain, so...

Alright, this is deffinatly a great read! I totally, TOTALLY loved the Diabolica, Duck-Billed Platitudes, and How to Be a God! They are all very entertaining and humorous (though I'm not sure whether or not they're supposed to be). Also, the whole book is pretty motivational for that little screaming, raving satanist in all of us.

That's about all there is to say about it. I mean, honestly, at only 147 pages, it's not a huge chunk of reading. I read it over one weekend. Not great, but not bad - not by any means bad - hence three stars.

Various essays from the one who created the Church of Satan. It covers subjects like the Church itself, the new age movement, and various other diabolical thought