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Carroll presents his information in a clear, rational and pragmatic way. Readers who have read his later books will notice that some of the theories presented here have become dated, which is only natural considering that the book was written over twenty years ago and that the development of magical theory and practice has progressed since then. In spite of this, it is important to familiarize oneself with the information presented here as it gives a solid foundation for understanding the basic priciples and techniques that his later, more advanced books only touch upon briefly. For example the book has the clearest system for attaining proper mind control which is absolutely necessary for more advanced work. It also explains the different methods of going into trance as well as the procedures for creating personalized sigils or encoded desires.
The second part of the book entitled Psychonaut (great word by the way) consists of essays on a variety of topics related to the subject at hand: The use of psychoactive substances in ritual, different models for explaining magical phenomenon, etc.
In a way, I tend to regard this book as a successful clarification of what Crowley and Spare tried to say in their confusing and long-winded fasion.
As with any Peter Carrol book it contains dogmatism about his personal beliefs. However that is more than cancelled out by the wealth of ideas that is hidden throughout the book. If you see magic as being divided in black and white and different subdivisions within each one this book will prove trully valuable to read and try. If not (which was my case) it will prove as an interesting source of information that you can adapt or discard according to your liking and the belief system you are currently ingrained in.
Assume nothing.
For folks out there that have never read much or been interested in magical techniques, this book may provide a suitable starting point. However, for claiming to be a book about chaos, it sure is filled with dogmatic statements, irritating Aeonics (Crowley, again... you'll be saying that all throughout this book if you're anything like me) and presumptuous prophecies about our future world.
Personally, I've found very little of use inside this book. I don't -disagree- with anything in it, and in fact think it probably is an effective magical practice... but Chaos Magic? I think not.
This book, more or less, is an instruction manual for initiates of the IOT, an order of anarchist-occultists founded by the scientist/punk/philosopher (my kind of guy!) Pete Carroll. It outlines the practices of Neophytes, Initiates, Adepts, and Priests of Chaos, as well as includes some basic practices (a combination of A.O. Spare's Zos Kia, non-religious Thelema, Wicca, Sorcery, Shamanism, Goetic Necromancy, and Vajrayana Buddhism)... in other words, total and complete wickedness. Check it out.