Rating: 
Summary: (A++) A Frightening Book About Real Documented Demons
Review: This is extraordinarily terrifying non-fiction. First off all I can safely say that many would find themselves better off not reading this book if they are of a nervous disposition. It is extremely serious in tone and probably one of the most compelling dissertations on the phenomena of ghosts, spirits and demons that I have come across. This is not your casual, "I saw a ghost floating across a room in a haunted house" or "I felt a cold spot in my bedroom and watched a glowing orb" type ghost book. It is more along the lines of "This entity was ripping my living room to shreds, writing obscene messages on the walls and appearing behind me as a disfigured monk with no eyes who then proceeded to attack me while my family screamed in terror as they huddled together on the staircase."I was really unsure of what I was getting myself into here. I heard that this book had a cult following and that Stephen King basically calls it his best book of reference. I was aware that this book was about two "ghost hunters" - Ed and Lorraine Warren and covers some of their research, spanning some 60 years, along with various case studies. What I did not know is that this book actually makes a valid statement on the entire issue of haunted houses, ghosts and demons and even goes into elaborate explanations for these phenomena. Truth be told I have read some highly professional books on this very topic before. Here is a word of advice. If you are seriously interested in learning more about the Occult then read "The Tibetan Book of the Dead" by W.Y.Evans-Wentz. It has forward by Jung. It is an ancient Tibetan Holy book that elaborates on and explains many different types of psychic phenomena but the book is not classed as such. It is a religious/psychological book about Tibetan Buddhism but it clarifies a lot about the supernatural. So I was well armed going into this one with at least a little more knowledge on the subject that your average reader. The first thing that struck me was the authenticity of what I was reading. There are many books on this topic that would make me laugh or at least see another logical reason for what was going on. "The Demonologist" is having none of that. It is straightforward - here is another world, YOUR WORLD, where demons actually exist creating misery for peoples lives. Everything is explained in relentless detail without sparing the readers unease about such a topic. The book moves between cases of demonic disturbances (incorrectly referred to as Poltergeist activity according to the author) and the lives of the two researchers/demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. Most of the book is done in an interview fashion with Ed and Lorraine answering many questions and telling several stories about their many encounters with the diabolical. One story, about a family called the Donovans, will blow your mind. The case is also illustrated with photographs of demonic activity in progress. There is also transcripts of conversations with ghosts and demons from tape recordings. Ed and Lorraine Warren are not "ghost hunters" per se. Ed actually uses religious strategies and holy objects to establish and combat the very physical presence of an "inhuman" spirit that is usually violent and on the offensive. Lorraine uses her sixth sense to establish connections with "human" spirits that are passive and inoffensive and are just looking for resolution to their misery. The book mostly concentrates on the malevolent "inhuman" type. There is also something tremendously otherworldly about the book itself as if it carries with it some sort of direct connection to the Warrens experiences. "Potent" would be the best word to describe it. I am telling you right now in an honest manner, do not go near this book if you think you will be uncomfortable about the subject matter. The mildest parts of this book are utterly mind shattering and the more disturbing elements will deliver instant insomnia with unfeigned paranoia by the truckload. Only for the hardened spiritual explorers who can deal with the "demon shock" - The Exorcist is kindergarten in comparison. **As a note there is apparently a problem with the US edition which has been heavily edited and is missing pictures. The UNCUT edition is available from the UK. I went the extra mile and got the UNCUT version but I have not seen the US edition so I can not say with certainty that this is the case except that other reviewers too have pointed out that the US edition is cut. Get it from Amazon UK if you want the UNCUT version like I did.** My only critic about this book is the pictures. Please reprint them as quality standard middle section pictures next time! The resolution was not the best - however, like the rest of the book, they certainly are unsettling.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely scary - not to be read when you're home alone.
Review: To be honest, the first time I read the book it scared me so badly that I burnt it - and this from a dedicated bibliophile! It was several years later before I decided to try it again. I have read many stories about the Warrens and by the Warrens, but find that this one is one of the most thought provoking, intensely scary books that I have ever run across. To be honest, I'd love to be able to visit their home and go through the museum, but don't know that I would actually have enough nerve to do so. Reading about the haunted Raggedy Ann doll, the items used in satanic worship, the "things" that follow Ed and Lorraine around gave me the willies. It takes very special people to handle and work with the paranormal and demonic. The Warrens are those special people.
Rating:
Summary: truly scary
Review: Why don't they reprint this book? I read this book 20 years ago,
and when I moved I lost my copy. After reading The Demonologist
I had trouble sleeping at night. I only read it once because I
was afraid it would upset my sleep again. It's a great read,
and if you liked reading the Amityville Horror then you'll love
The Demonologist. Hair raising.
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