It’s been a few years since the last review of this book went up so I’ll add a some additional thoughts as I just found the book and finished reading it today. First, the book is a damn good read; the author possesses an engaging style and the work is well produced in a thoughtful cohesive manner free of grammatical and stylistic errors. Which of course is to be expected of someone with a long career with books in all their forms. It’s also a page turner for anyone who likes those wild boy tell-alls that are so popular today, with the caveat that Wasserman never aggrandizes himself for his colorful history, nor does he succumb to a lengthy sob-soaked scourging of himself in a damp hair shirt for his profligate ways. Both of these models line the shelves at every Barnes and Noble.
The narrative to this reviewer is rather a stark portrait of the initiate’s struggles through the major life trial of his magickal and worldly career. To readers of this work from inside the magickal schools it is more than a cautionary tale, it is a call to recognize those overarching magickal trials that will define one’s work as quickly as possible, and all sincere initiates know what they are, for they cannot be avoided, put off, or navigated around. The author conquered the demon that rode with him on his journey and for that he is to be commended. He persevered and came out on the other side of his storm. Clearly his destiny was to do so, “the boys in the back room” needed him to survive to help build and make of the O.T.O. what they willed it to be. The overarching tone and vibe of this work is one of profound sincerity, of the unrelenting dedication of an initiate not only to his own path and the Order he chose as its vehicle, but to the universal and cosmic human experience of initiation itself and all it offers to the individual, to the planet, and to humanity. That is what truly sets this work apart from others of its kind. I am honored to have read this book and it left me with a very deep feeling in my heart. I like to think I understood this book and its intentions. I hope I did.
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