Magick: In Theory and Practice [Hardcover]

Aleister (The Master Therion) Crowley (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Castle Books, New York (1961)
• ASIN: B000J2QBXO
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,082,117 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to magickal practice, May 12, 2003

By 

N. Jacobs (Fish Creek, Wi USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Magick in Theory and Practice (Paperback)

This book covers everything that a true practitioner must know when approaching magick. The first half of the book is highly informative, and helps you cover all the bases in creating the proper mood sets as well as enviroment for your work. The second half contains several of the most important magickal rituals of Thelema, the most important being the Star Ruby banishing. If you are interested in the Occult at all, or are a magick practioner, GET THIS BOOK. You will not regret it. I have two of Crowley's other books, and they're a bit difficult to digest, but this is very smooth reading. HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Bludgeon instead of a Scalpel, February 11, 2006

By 

E. M. Hodge "Cuindless" (Virginia Beach, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magick in Theory and Practice (Paperback)

Aleister Crowley's lecture notes on the subject of magic read exactly as it sounds like they would. Some people have said that the book is so difficult it reads like the Bible. I disagree... I think it reads like COMMENTARY on the Bible! Israel Regardie, Crowley's friend and secretary for many years, once said that he uses "language like a bludgeon where a scalpel would do..." No where is this more evident than in Magic in Theory and Practice.

But despite this, anyone interested in the subject absolutely MUST struggle through it. Crowley's knowledge of magic was unparalleled for his time and remains rarely challenged. This book was written earlier in his life, before years of drug-abuse and syphilis had a chance to ravage his obviously powerful mind. Though the discussion, as it were, ranges from typical magical ritual to the dark "drug-and-sex" magic he's famous for, this wide variety of explanation, theoretical musing and practical advice can't be beat.

That being said, it needs to be approached with a strong will. Crowley's path is tempting, especially for people who are interested in magic for its more Faustian aspects. People who want wealth, fame, sex and power will see the perfect opportunity in this book. After all, Uncle Al died famous and rich, right? Wrong. He died poor, desparate and alone, barely eeking a living by mooching off of his sycophantic followers. The path he chose has its price, and readers should remember that when they peruse these pages.

Okay, editorializing aside, this book has some gems of wisdom in it that really can't be found elsewhere if you have the patience to look. If you want to be a Magus, you need to read this book and take what you can from it. For followers of any path and on any level of study, this book will most likely provide some interesting ideas. Its not 5 stars, because its not 100% accessible by everyone, nor is it easy to read, but its definitely 4 stars with high marks. Hope you enjoy!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Review of the Martino Fine Books edition: Be suspicious of this publisher, September 19, 2011

By 

Walter Five (13th Floor Elevator, Enron Hubbard Bldg. Houston Texxas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Magick in Theory and Practice (Paperback)

I don't know who "Martino Fine Books" are, Googling them seems to indicate a Used Book Store near Hartford, Conn. But with them now advertising a paperback edition of "Magick In Theory And Practice" that is going for $57.99, and a hardback edition for $199, I thought a direct reference to their product might prove instructional to the potential buyer. This is merely a facsimile of the original edition, which itself was Part Three of "Book 4", and originally published in paperback between 1929 and 1932, in four parts.

Instead of paying a very high price for an unknown publisher's highly priced edition, I'd highly recommend that any potential buyer seek out the Dover Paperback edition (very cheap) or the Castle Press hardback edition (relatively cheap)Magick: in Theory and Practice, or better yet-- get the lovely and durable hardback of Magick: Book 4, Liber Aba (Magick Bk. 4), as it has the complete text of "Magick In Theory And Practice" as well as the other three parts of "Book 4", and actually costs less (here on Amazon) than the paperback edition that Martino Fine Books is trying to shill here.

If any of you have purchased this edition, and can tell me what it has (if anything) that would command these prices, I would greatly appreciate your making mention of it in the comments section.