Rating: 
Summary: A Monstrous Ego of many personalities....
Review: ....striving for satiation,whatever the cost.What a crazy wild world our man Crowley inhabited.He lived during a time in history where occult forces marched to the drumbeat of adventure, manifest destiny,and spiritual revolution.
I first read this book back in 1970 and it forever changed my life.I've studied his cryptic books since then,but always found this "autohagiography" the most enjoyable.Take him anyway you want but understand that Crowley ranks up there as one of the most unusual eccentrics in history...one of the "old school" Occult adventurers from the turn of the century who actually DID what he thought he could DO...made himself "god" (no small feat folks). Sure he was looney(duh),but through all his aspects showed himself as literate, scientific, intelligent, witty, devilish, daring and absolutely aware of his ability to confound the world. He died in relative obscurity in a sterile boarding house room,alone except for the presence of an attendant nurse who said his last words exclaimed were "I am perplexed". This book can be read on several levels, fact or fiction.Take a ride with the Father of Lies and remember, PERDURABO! ("I shall endure unto the end for in the end there is naught to endure")
Rating:
Summary: Truth for the pornographer, satanist, and the cannibal junky
Review: A fascinating look at one of the most enigmatic and interesting characters of the last century. Aleister, an occultist, details his life growing up and makes note of all his accomplishments and his intelligence, although yes he may be bragging at least it expels the idea some people have liked to spread about him being a brainless raver all of his life, also the articulated way he writes displays his intelligence. He was at a loss in the book to explain as to why he went on Satans side when all of his young life he was raised in a strict Calvinist home, it may of been of the fact that his mother and most of the ppl on her side of the family were "bigots of the most narrow minded an illogical human type" (his words). Encouraged to write this book two years before his death, he pulled on all of what he could remember and made a facinating read.
As for what the previous reviewer states (a reviewer from Connecticut) that it does not containt any spells or incantations, it is a AUTOBIOGRAPHY not an occult magick book, dimbulb.
Rating:
Summary: Crowley the man
Review: A fascinating look at one of the most enigmatic and interesting characters of the last century. Aleister, an occultist, details his life growing up and makes note of all his accomplishments and his intelligence, although yes he may be bragging at least it expels the idea some people have liked to spread about him being a brainless raver all of his life, also the articulated way he writes displays his intelligence. He was at a loss in the book to explain as to why he went on Satans side when all of his young life he was raised in a strict Calvinist home, it may of been of the fact that his mother and most of the ppl on her side of the family were "bigots of the most narrow minded an illogical human type" (his words). Encouraged to write this book two years before his death, he pulled on all of what he could remember and made a facinating read.
As for what the previous reviewer states (a reviewer from Connecticut) that it does not containt any spells or incantations, it is a AUTOBIOGRAPHY not an occult magick book, dimbulb.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book, but the author rambles on a bit
Review: After reading this book for the second time, I have to say that it is a very involved reading. While the book does keep you turning pages to discover just where the manical storyline goes next. Overall most of the sections have a tendancy to ramble on a bit like some of the more annoying unedited Steven King works, but not as excessively. If your only ever going to read one Aliester Crowley book, this is the one.
Rating:
Summary: Beast, magus, poet, mountaineer
Review: Aleister Crowley is one of the most fascinating underground characters of the 19th Century. This "autohagiography," as it is not so modestly called, is a more than 900 page account of his life, at least up to the time of his writing the Confessions, when he was in his mid-forties. An autobiography can never be objective, and this is especially the case when it is written by a figure as controversial as Crowley. Reviled by many as a satanist, admired by others as a prophet, your own beliefs and predilections will color the way you view this man and his unconventional ideas. Crowley was surely a man with a large ego; at times he comes across like a meglomaniac, comparing himself with Buddha and Mohammad. He authored, among many other works, The Book of the Law, allegedly channelled (as we would say now) by a superior intelligence called Aiwass. Crowley maintained that this book marked the beginning of a new aeon, of which he was the prophet. Claims such as this might, to some, be enough to discredit Crowley. Yet his actual influence on culture cannot be denied. He inspired many occult, new age and countercultural thinkers, including Timothy Leary; His Thoth tarot deck has become very popular; his commentaries on the Qaballah are among the most complete by modern authors; He wrote quite a bit of lyrical poetry, much of which is quoted in this book.
The Confessions gives the reader a multifaceted look at Crowley. There are long descriptions of several mountaineering expeditions to exotic places such as the Himalayas. Anyone interested in travelogues should appreciate this book, which covers much of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Crowley's main calling was magick (he invented this spelling to differentiate it from stage magic). Although he is commonly referred to as a black magician or satanist, this is far from clearcut. His early years of being raised by fundamentalist Christians (his own mother actually gave him the nickname, The Beast) set off a lifetime of rebellion against conventional religion. His often outlandish behavior and conflicts with authority figures contributed to his reputation as a dark magician. There is no doubt that he dabbled with demonic forces, yet reading his memoirs his basic intention seems to have been the progress and spiritual freedom of humanity. Crowley was a complex character, and this comes across in the Confessions. Parts of this long book are a little confusing; in some chapters, he rattles off one name after another, and he sometimes refers to people by their magickal names, which makes the cast of characters at least as challenging to keep up with as those in a Russian novel. His account of his actions in America during World War l, where he was accused of spying for the Germans (but insisted he was really a double agent for the British and Americans) is especially sketchy and made me wonder if he was telling the truth. On the other hand, he gives some very intelligent (if often condescending) commentaries on many societal issues. I found his comments on America, as he experienced it in the early 20th Century, especially interesting and insightful. One fact about Crowley that must be remembered is that he identified with the English upper class. He comes across as quite snobbish in many respects, including his disdain for many ethnic groups. He also had the aristocratic contempt for working for a living. Some of his remarks about women will not be appreciated by contemporary female readers. The fact is, his attitude on these issues was typical for his time (he lived from 1875-1947) and not evidence of anything especially sinister about Crowley. Crowley led a rather bohemian existence and had several wives and numerous affairs, many of which are recounted here (he was reputedly bisexual, although he does not discuss this in the book). Whether you like, agree with or approve of Aleister Crowley, the Confessions are a fascinating, well written account of a truly unique individual.
Rating:
Summary: Beast, magus, poet, mountaineer
Review: Aleister Crowley is one of the most fascinating underground characters of the 19th Century. This "autohagiography," as it is not so modestly called, is a more than 900 page account of his life, at least up to the time of his writing the Confessions, when he was in his mid-forties. An autobiography can never be objective, and this is especially the case when it is written by a figure as controversial as Crowley. Reviled by many as a satanist, admired by others as a prophet, your own beliefs and predilections will color the way you view this man and his unconventional ideas. Crowley was surely a man with a large ego; at times he comes across like a meglomaniac, comparing himself with Buddha and Mohammad. He authored, among many other works, The Book of the Law, allegedly channelled (as we would say now) by a superior intelligence called Aiwass. Crowley maintained that this book marked the beginning of a new aeon, of which he was the prophet. Claims such as this might, to some, be enough to discredit Crowley. Yet his actual influence on culture cannot be denied. He inspired many occult, new age and countercultural thinkers, including Timothy Leary; His Thoth tarot deck has become very popular; his commentaries on the Qaballah are among the most complete by modern authors; He wrote quite a bit of lyrical poetry, much of which is quoted in this book.
The Confessions gives the reader a multifaceted look at Crowley. There are long descriptions of several mountaineering expeditions to exotic places such as the Himalayas. Anyone interested in travelogues should appreciate this book, which covers much of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Crowley's main calling was magick (he invented this spelling to differentiate it from stage magic). Although he is commonly referred to as a black magician or satanist, this is far from clearcut. His early years of being raised by fundamentalist Christians (his own mother actually gave him the nickname, The Beast) set off a lifetime of rebellion against conventional religion. His often outlandish behavior and conflicts with authority figures contributed to his reputation as a dark magician. There is no doubt that he dabbled with demonic forces, yet reading his memoirs his basic intention seems to have been the progress and spiritual freedom of humanity. Crowley was a complex character, and this comes across in the Confessions. Parts of this long book are a little confusing; in some chapters, he rattles off one name after another, and he sometimes refers to people by their magickal names, which makes the cast of characters at least as challenging to keep up with as those in a Russian novel. His account of his actions in America during World War l, where he was accused of spying for the Germans (but insisted he was really a double agent for the British and Americans) is especially sketchy and made me wonder if he was telling the truth. On the other hand, he gives some very intelligent (if often condescending) commentaries on many societal issues. I found his comments on America, as he experienced it in the early 20th Century, especially interesting and insightful. One fact about Crowley that must be remembered is that he identified with the English upper class. He comes across as quite snobbish in many respects, including his disdain for many ethnic groups. He also had the aristocratic contempt for working for a living. Some of his remarks about women will not be appreciated by contemporary female readers. The fact is, his attitude on these issues was typical for his time (he lived from 1875-1947) and not evidence of anything especially sinister about Crowley. Crowley led a rather bohemian existence and had several wives and numerous affairs, many of which are recounted here (he was reputedly bisexual, although he does not discuss this in the book). Whether you like, agree with or approve of Aleister Crowley, the Confessions are a fascinating, well written account of a truly unique individual.
Rating:
Summary: The life story of one of the worlds most fascinating people
Review: Aleister Crowley is one of the most misunderstood and slandered people who ever lived...and he seemed to revel in it.Indeed, Crowley lays down his life in print for all to see and what a sight it is. This book details the rise and fall of the last great magus the Master Therion in his own words, which are poetry in and of themselves. The book also contains many rare black and white photos of the Beast and friends that any Crowley collector will want to have.Every man and woman is a star but Crowley was indeed among the brightest.
Rating:
Summary: An "autohagiography" from an ignored but important person...
Review: Aleister Crowley is perhaps one of the most interesting characters in all of world history. He attempted to synthesize the techniques of Western occultism, Eastern mysticism, and modern scientific thought into a workable system he liked to call "Magick." All the time he was trying to do this, he was hounded by people who branded him a charlatan, a Satanist, and "the wickedest man in the world." Even the famed Russian mystic George Gurdjieff, who was controversial himself, cursed Crowley's name after they met. Crowley's flawed character is very interesting to look at, especially from his own perspective, and this is why "The Confessions of Aleister Crowley" is such a great book.
My psychology professor loaned me his copy of this book, after we got into a discussion about Crowley one day. The case of my professor demonstrates how much Crowley is ignored, as his copy of "The Confessions" had sat on his bookshelf for years unnoticed. It was only when I mentioned Crowley and my professor read over the book that he understood my fascination with Crowley. Unfortunately, I was unable to finish the book, due both to time constraints and the fact that the book is rather boring in the middle, when Crowley begins to talk about his mountaineering adventures. I can, however, tell you my general impressions of the book, and Crowley, after what I have read of the book and several other books on The Great Beast.
Crowley's style is very lucid and descriptive, but readers without a dictionary should be warned; Crowley's vocabulary is immense and multi-lingual. Crowley makes some rather astute observations about the course of his life and his actions in the book, and he is able to psychoanalyze many of the people who one way or another became involved with his life, but this book, and his whole life, in fact, show one fatal flaw: a lack of self-analysis. Crowley's egotism contributed greatly to some of the errors he made. For instance, in reference to his feud with several members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, he accuses many of them of having been jealous of him, going so far as to say that the great poet Yeats hated Crowley because Crowley was the superior poet. Any look at Crowley's poetry will prove this claim to be laughable, although Crowley did occasionally write wonderful poetry.
Crowley has long been ignored in Western society, although many of his ideas have influenced the course of the 20th century. Hopefully with the success of Wicca and occultism in general right now, Crowley will attain the position of great sage and artist in the larger world someday, as well as serving as a warning to all those who would tread his path. In closing, the reader of this book should bring with him an open-mind, intelligence, and a sense of humor (for Crowley's sense of humor is one of his often ignored qualities). With these qualities, he should be able to understand Crowley and learn from his ideas.
Rating:
Summary: Crowley takes his shoes off
Review: Aleister Crowley was a saint (in his own religion, mind you) an Adept, and a forerunner to the cultural revolution of the 1960's. For all that, his "Autohagiography" reveals a side of him that doesn't normally come up in his other writings: Crowley was a human being. Most of the statements he makes about his own greatness are tinged with irony, or so bombastic that one finds it very hard to take them seriously. For instance, in his introduction, Crowley says, ""This Aleister Crowley is not a man, or even a number of men; he is obviously a solar myth." Now, I suppose one could assume he meant this, and take it as a sign of an incredibly inflated ego. The rest of the book, however, shows an all too human side of the Mega Therion. Crowley would not have made a statement like that then gone on to write a book which proves its antithesis. He was a much better writer than that. Considering the central role magick played in his life, Crowley speaks little about it. He's more interested in stories about mountain climbing and traveling about the world. The last thrid of the book is directly related to his art, so here he gives us blow by blow descriptions of his workings. This comes, signifigantly, after he accpets the authority of the Book of the Law. This seems to be related to his technique of referring to himself in third person until after he tells of his father died. Just as he didn't feel like an individual until that moment, so he didn't feel like a Magus until he'd taken on his True Will. This is a very intimate look at the Prophet of the New Aeon. It is key to understanding anything else he ever wrote, since a great deal of his philosophy is treated in detail. If you are at all interested in Crowley, get this book.
Rating: 
Summary: difficult, albeit interesting character
Review: aleister crowley's "autobiography" is interesting, compelling... rubbish. crowley's eccentricism can be quite magnetic when it isnt obscured by the fact that he was an absolute loon. fun to read occasionally, no revelations held within.
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