Rating: 
Summary: Runnin' With The Devil
Review: A well written yet, chances are, biased book (considering the author is the mother of one of LaVey's children)"The Secret Life of A Satanist" is a must for any hardcore LaVeyian.Chronicling "The Black Pope" from birth to only a few years before his death (Oct. 29,1997)"The Secret Life..." gives the reader an indepth look at not only the life, but the philosophical standpoint of Anton LaVey. Honestly, I'd suggest first time dabblers start out with this one instead of "The Satanic Bible". With it's more thorough deliniation of Satanic creed "The Secret Life..." gives it's readers a deeper understanding of not only the the religion, but why it was created and why it's so necessary in today's society. Anton LaVey was a dangerous thinker, and few books dare to tred as close to him as this highly detailed biography. Even if the author was in cahoots with her subject, "The Secret Life of a Satanist" is still a worthwhile buy for anyone seeking knowledge on society's outermost fringes.
Rating:
Summary: Runnin' With The Devil
Review: A well written yet, chances are, biased book (considering the author is the mother of one of LaVey's children)"The Secret Life of A Satanist" is a must for any hardcore LaVeyian. Chronicling "The Black Pope" from birth to only a few years before his death (Oct. 29,1997)"The Secret Life..." gives the reader an indepth look at not only the life, but the philosophical standpoint of Anton LaVey. Honestly, I'd suggest first time dabblers start out with this one instead of "The Satanic Bible". With it's more thorough deliniation of Satanic creed "The Secret Life..." gives it's readers a deeper understanding of not only the the religion, but why it was created and why it's so necessary in today's society. Anton LaVey was a dangerous thinker, and few books dare to tred as close to him as this highly detailed biography. Even if the author was in cahoots with her subject, "The Secret Life of a Satanist" is still a worthwhile buy for anyone seeking knowledge on society's outermost fringes.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent book about an amazing man.
Review: An informative account of the development of a philosophy unlike any other; from the perspective of a misanthropic genius. An amazing man, an amazing life and an incredible tale. This book is recommended reading for anyone interested in contemporary Satanism, the Church of Satan and its founder, Dr. Anton Szandor LaVey. Four Stars!!!
Rating:
Summary: Simply amazing!
Review: Anton La Vey's life is a worthy opponent to any soap opera!
Action, excitement, and romance.. live vicariously through
this book!
Rating:
Summary: Well-done,thrilling autobiography!
Review: Anton Lavey will go down in history as not only the founder of The one (and only) CHURCH OF SATAN,but as perhaps a Philosopher next to Nietzsche and Goethe....Blanche Barton does an excellent job detailing the life few men could dare live,as Dr. Lavey did. I had to read this twice! What a gripping,thrilling story and photos to boot. Having been influenced by Anton LaVey's teachings for years now,I think this book is a good tribute to the man and his usually-misunderstood work. I probably wouldn't have written horror stories like my novel CRYPTX if I hadn't been enthralled by the Satanic Philosophy LaVey brought to light. Great job Priestess Barton! -Ken Knight (I may be reached at jobfaster@aol.com)
Rating:
Summary: Portrait of a Hellraiser
Review: Blanche Barton's 'Secret Life of a Satanist' gives an intriguing account of the life of Dr. Anton LaVey, founder of America's first 'official' Church of Satan. Dr. LaVey rose up from a dissatisfied childhood to enjoy success in a variety of careers, including lion taming (or 'lion training,' as he prefers to call it), performing as a musician on a variety of instruments (primarily organ), and working as a crime photographer for the San Francisco police department. Along the way, he allegedly has a brief relationship with Marilyn Monroe while performing music for various West coast clubs. As his life progresses, his ferocious views lead him to start an occult group in San Francisco, in his new home which would become the notorious 'Black House.' This group (which I believe was called 'The Order of the Trapezoid') evolved into the Church of Satan, which officially emerged in 1966 (or in Satanic parlance, A.S. 1; the first year of Satan). Following the birth of LaVey's church, the 'good doctor' is associated with various shocking events, especially the death of Jayne Mansfield. Parts of this book will set off your nonsense detector (assuming you have one), especially when Dr. LaVey suggests that in the future, space colonization will lead to the Satanization of the earth. He also claims to have seen a real life Lovecraftian monster in a cave, and a four-foot caterpillar. In addition to this, the book includes a ritual for lycanthropic transformation. I found these things to be a little hard to swallow. In spite of these sillier points, this book is otherwise a very compelling story of a driven individual who was determined both to get something out of his life, and to make his mark on the world. Many of the finer points of LaVey's philosophy are brought out, including his tastes in music (he hated rock music!), and his love for forgotten things. Like most occult books, there's a b.s. factor involved; but in the end this is a well-written story about a true American original. Large portions of this book are taken from interviews with LaVey. Not all readers will agree with LaVey's approach to life, but it's difficult not to admire a man with the guts to wear a pentagram in broad daylight, and defy the religious establishment.
Rating:
Summary: Secret life of Anton LaVey
Review: Great biography of Anton LaVey, written by the mother of his son. Interesting anecdotes and a unique view of Lavey's philosophy. Worth reading, whether you believe he was a huckster or not. Has a lot of photos (Some of them taken when he had hair!). Includes little bonuses in the back of the book in the form of essays and other writings of LaVey.
Rating: 
Summary: Unsatisifying
Review: Having heard many stories and rumours about Levey. I was looking forward to this book, dispelling the myth and revealing the real man. The book went someway to doing that, but not far enough as far as I am concerned, in fact it left me asking more questions than when I began. Despite that, it is well worth a read and well written. I think you will enjoy this, no matter what your personal beleifs are.
Rating:
Summary: Anton LaVey, the trickster!
Review: His book reflects a lot about him! An intriguing read about a man who did whatever he wanted to do and enjoyed life while he was at it. It explains how his views where shaped. It show a man who wished to be seen and heard! And a founder of his own empire. If anything, this book is shows any satanist or anyone who has an open mind that whatever you wish can be achieved! LaVey built his own empire and it still exists and through his writings and manipulation of this world, he has become IMMORTAL!
Rating:
Summary: Extreme Deja Vu
Review: I also read The Devil's Avenger, by Burton Wolfe (1974), and experienced extreme deja vu. Going back and comparing them, I find many parts identical, often word for word. Read them both and judge for yourself.
Some have written that Anton LaVey ghost-wrote both books. That would explain the situation, and why Wolfe (or heirs?) took no action against the newer book.
| 
