Customer Reviews

Satan Speaks!

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Anton Szandor LaVey, author/compiler of "The Satanic Bible" and founder of the notorious Church of Satan, certainly had a unique position in late 20th century culture. "Satan Speaks!", published after his death, represents the final testament of this demonic prophet. Whether or not you are a Satanist, you just might find this book to be an interesting, provocative, and even enjoyable read.

A collection of short essays, "Satan Speaks!" varies in quality. Some of the selections strike me as underdeveloped, self-indulgent rants: I refer particularly to "Child Abuse," "Some Professionals and a Poem," and others. But even some of these grouchy tirades have appealing flashes of dark humor; try "Don't Bathe," LaVey's celebration of body odor.

And the best of these essays range from delightful exercises in creative misanthropy to truly thought-provoking analyses of popular culture. LaVey speculates on the connections between the Jew and the Satanist in "A Plan," discusses the potential of "The Witch's Shoe as Weaponry" in the essay of that title, and issues a fascinating manifesto for Satanic cultural activism in "The Horns of a Dilemma."

And throughout the book one can find marvelously quotable aphorisms from the man known as the Black Pope. Examples: "Is it coincidence that the most important word to a Satanist is 'Why?'" (from "The Third Side"); "Did Charlie Chaplin have a Hitler moustache, or vice versa?" (from "The Jewish Question"); or "Don't bomb abortion clinics unless you happen to need one, and they won't take you" (from "My Enemy").

"Traditional" religionists and other more "proper" folk may cringe at LaVey's writings, but to the adventurous reader, "Satan Speaks!" is a deliciously stocked candy store. Was this truly LaVey's final testament, or are there hidden demonic manuscripts of his waiting to be unleashed upon a trembling world? Stay tuned!

Satan Speaks is a wonderful introduction to those seeking to know more about Dr. Anton Szandor LaVey and the Church of Satan. Along with The Devil's Notebook, Satan Speaks is a great primer for delving into the Satanic Bible. LaVeys' charming misanthropy and unique sense of humor are abundant on every page. Each essay is a refreshing alternative to mass-produced mass-consumed herd mentality, and a fierce strike to the weak hearts of mindless christians. Satan speaks is essential to the would be and practising Satanist, and highly informative for those that are just looking for the truth about Satanism and LaVey. Personally, I think everyone should read it (along with all of LaVeys' other writings), the world would be a better place.

SHEMHAMFORASH! HAIL SATAN!

Published after his death, Anton LaVey's Satan Speaks does not focus on one immediate subject; but is instead a collection of essays from the founder of the Church of Satan on late 20th century culture. Such passages contain LaVey's rants on child abuse, connections between a Satanist and a Jew, abortion, and my favorite, the laugh out loud "Don't Bathe" which features LaVey's rampant celebration of body odor. Although it seems that most of Satan Speaks is more self indulged than any of LaVey's other works, it is still a great read nonetheless, and the bits of dark humor throughout will guarantee a chuckle or two out of any Satanist or fan of LaVey's work.

Rather than focus on a particular topic, in this book Mr. LaVey discusses his views of society. The essays are unfocused; some essays are depressed, defensive and bitter.

Some essays contain longing for "the good old days". These essays ("The Good Old Days: A Devil's Advocacy", "Sleepers, Orphans, and Scarcity", "What's New?") compare today's lifestyle with yesterday's lifestyle and find today lacking.

Mr. LaVey's mood is depressed in "Future Schlock" and in "Satan Speaks!". Mr. LaVey states (pg. 160) that other than watching his son mature, the future holds nothing for him. He speculates (pg. 170) that life in prison would not be bad.

Mr. LaVey's mood is defensive in several essays. In "Why I Can't Make Money" (pg. 133) Mr. LaVey states that he sold himself too cheaply, was exploited, and does not expect that he will make money. In "Get A Life" (pp. 164) Mr. LaVey states that nonproductive parasites within the Church of Satan should quit and "start their own thing." In "Satan Speaks!" Mr. LaVey states (pg. 169) that he is the only person who has been able to codify Satanism into an applicable religion. Mr. LaVey states (pg. 172) that people are an insecure, treacherous, and dishonest lot who have a "complete disregard for the lives of the most valuable fellow citizens." Mr. LaVey discusses weaponry in three essays.

Mr. LaVey's mood is bitter in several essays. In "Get A Life" (pp. 163) Mr. LaVey bemoans parasites who resist affiliation with the Church of Satan but draw personal or financial gain from it. In "Satan Speaks!" Mr. LaVey (pg. 175) discusses items that, once loaned, will never be returned. Mr. LaVey also states (pg. 179) his wishes for his enemies: that rather than dying, they live with brutal regrets.

Mr. LaVey was writing this book at the time of his death. The essays are unfocused, but the book provides insight into the life of an interesting man.

This is a large collection of essays on the philosophies of Anton LaVey.

I gave it 3 stars because you have to already like LaVey before you read this to get into it easily. If you are new to the dark philosophy I suggest you read The Devil's Notebook (also by LaVey) first.

The essays this book contains are full of humor and logical truth. An excellent read for any satanis or any "would be satanist" or someone just interested in reading on someones philosophical beliefs.

I find myself picking this book up time and time again
full of whit and humor, tongue and cheek of course.
what else would you expect from the great DR. LaVey

Dr. La Vey's last book before he passed away is a curiously insightful book for anyone to read. This is not just "fodder for the darkside". There are many thoughts that actually make sense to daily living.

It is amusing to see how many people put this book down in place of the Satanic Bible which Dr. La Vey himself even stated, in no uncertain terms in this latest book, was put together almost tongue-in-cheek. He had never set out to be a writer or philosopher. He just had ideas that were different from others.

Whether you are Christian or religious at all, this book still makes for interesting reading.

Anton LeVay. What a man he was and what an intellect. The man hardly finsihed high school but he could read Nietzsche and interpret every word. Then, he could go on and bring it into a modern interpretation to our current society. Few have been able to do this nearly as well as Anton.
This book was published after LeVay passed from his body but you can tell where his ideals of eternal life really were. They were in his writings and even though he knew he would not get to enjoy the reactions of others from this tome he knew it was more than fit for public consumption. Thank you Mr. leVay. You're missed but at leaste we still get to enjoy your amazing wit and cleaver Nietzschesk dark humor.

LeVays last book before he died - some funny stuff, some interesting stuff, different essays that were not published before he died, so the quality is up and down. However, the book does deliver some interesting material.

On the subject of the influence of the author, I read an interesting but rare satanic gem called the Question of Lucifer, about how far Lucifer has penetrated into the upper ranks of power and elite. It was fascinating, and very, very scary, depending on if you are on the White or Black magic side. That book unknowingly exposed some satanic secrets and left a lot open for us to see, more than the author expected - if you are willing to read it. Be warned!

The Question Of Lucifer

Here LaVey offers his opinions on a wide variety of subjects including social politics, sex, personal hygiene, social conventions, and life in general. Here he presents his opinions often with tongue in cheek humor. Some of his essays are utterly hilarious. Yet, he is often quite serious.

LaVey hated pompousness, arrogance, and self righteousness and all throughout his writings he rips into these with a visciousness and rage that could only come from the devil. Having a high opinion of oneself is one thing, but that form of counterproductive, haughty self righteousness was what he hated most, what he called "The Goodguy Badge."

His essay on stereo was interesting, "Stereo, Scam of the Century." When you read this essay, you might find yourself saying, "Hey, he's got a point." They introduced stereo not to improve the quality of music, but just to sell more record players and playing systems. And how many people really know the difference between a stereo recording and a mono recording of a piece of music anyway? Most of the time they are standing or sitting too far away from the speakers and not between them to even notice the difference.

I myself prefer stereo since I usually do actually sit between the speakers. But I am quite different from most people. And sometimes I have actually noticed that some music really does sound better in mono than in stereo because the sound actually does tend to blend together.

Reading and laughing at his essays, I often think, "He's got a point. I've seen that myself."

Agree with his opinions or disagree, you will have fun reading this book, and learn a few things from an old carny.