Beware the Night

Rating:
Summary: DEMONS ON THE RUN!
Review: Having had more than a few experiences with shape-shifting "inhuman" demons, (and written about them in my most recent novel, REFLECTIONS OF A VAMIRE) I feel compelled to warn the unwary reader that this book is for real.

I am a little hesitant to encourage the reading of Ralph Sarchie's BEWARE THE NIGHT for those who are prone to be highly suggestive. You might find yourself getting paranoid about the paranormal. As well we all should be.

Be that as it may, BEWARE THE NIGHT is one of the best books I've read on Demonology written by a demonologist to date.

Along with Malachi Martin's HOSTAGE TO THE DEVIL, Ralph Sarchie's book is one of the most informative, cautionary and helpful sources for protecting those who are dealing with the misfortune of being under demonic attack, or know someone who might be... for there are signs of evil infestation. There are stages of diabolic possession. There are incremental degrees of insidious bodily attack and overt physical take-over, including irreversible total possession, where the demon has lured one to willingly give their soul over to the devil.

If these things are of interest to you and you'd like to read the candid experiences of a professional demonologist who also happens to be a NYC cop, pick up this book. Then curl up under the covers in bed and pray if things go bump in the night.

I highly recommend BEWARE THE NIGHT. It accurately represents the dangers inflicted upon us by the invisible dark powers all around us. Read it... and perhaps you too will beware the night!

Rating:
Summary: Stay Away!
Review: I cannot believe this piece of zealout-fueled tripe ever saw print. What's worse I read it. Worse yet, I paid to read it. The back cover of this book proclaims "HELL IS HIS BEAT" what they should have proclaimed was "HELL IS READING HIS BOOK". There is absolutely nothing about this book that is not dreadful and I mean that in a BAD way.
Ralph Sarchie is a New York City cop as well as being an absurdly gullible "demonologist". This guy writes like he types with his toes. Full of righteous self-indulgence Sargeant Sarchie refers to his career with the NYPD as "the Job" and gallumphing after mystical entities is called "the Work" ad nauseum. When he isn't flexing his machismo at us he's dashing five-gallon jugs of holy water all about, clipping St. Benedict medals to any available animal and mumbling exorcisms at empty closets and surly drunks.
The "EIGHT PAGES OF SPECTACULAR PHOTOS" ? Four of the pages contain only family snapshots. One page is of a church interior and a photo of a bishop. So far, a veritable festival of the non-spectacular. Two pages contain photos of graffiti, a photo of a chicken in recent good health and a fake skull. The last page exhibits a blurry and most unflattering photo of his sister, (think John Lennon needing a shave) and what the author would like us to think is an orb in motion. It also includes a picture of what looks to be a giant white blob of masticated gum photoshopped onto a photo of a sidewalk. You can see more interesting images if you just sit in a dark room and punch yourself hard in the eye.
If masochists had a book club this would be at the top of the reading list.

Rating:
Summary: What was I thinking?
Review: I like a previous reader here actually paid for this book and forced myself to finish it.. What was I thinking?
I was told by a friend that I "needed" to read this book if I really wanted to be scared! I like to read anything and horror novels have been my latest thing.
First, I was kind of annoyed when the author kept telling stories within stories - you do get used to it because he never stops it. At one point I got a bit of the creeps but that was about it. I think it was because I was reading at about 3 am and that was the evil hour he spoke of in this book... Nonetheless when I came upon the story regarding his mentors and people involved with "the work" I was most disappointed when he mentioned that they were involved with the story of the Amityville Horror. Didn't I just read somewhere that the whole story of the Amityville Horror book and the movie(s) were all a preplanned lie for monitary gain? He seemed to have faith in the very people involved in such a farse. The book started getting pretty boring and plain ole' dumb. Anyway...lastly -While I could be wrong - I did not know a common person could perform exorcisms. That just seemes wrong and makes no sense. He claims he is unholy then he is holy - I think he is just a very confused person being influenced by his mentors to gain wealth by writing utterly stupid books. He is seriously someone who should not write books. His so called writer friend should not write either. How could she have helped him at all? What was the pubisher thinking???

Rating:
Summary: Self-Righteous Garbage
Review: I picked up this book thinking it was going to be a fascinating look into the supernatural by a real NYC cop. Instead, the book is filled with self-righteous ideas of the supernatural and Bible-beating Catholocism (I'm a Catholic, and even I was offended by this book). According to the authors, parapsychologists who do scientific, objective research into the paranormal are wasting their time; the only tools you really need are a Bible and some holy water. Could that rattle in your home have some scientific explanation? Don't bother looking for a "rational" explanation, just throw some holy water around and pray, and the evil devil will be banished! What a joke. Somebody needs to tell the authors that we left the Dark Ages long, long ago. Even if you can get past all this garbage, the book itself seems like it was written by a 14 year-old. I've been interested in and reading about the supernatural for over 20 years, and this is by far one of the worst books I've come across in all that time. Really deserves 0 stars. The only thing I'm praying for is my money back.

Rating:
Summary: Very interesting point of view, but a little too much dogma
Review: In general I salute this officer for his dedication and hard work in this area of his expertise. The book has many interesting experiences that he describes very well, and that all can easily learn from. Evil in this world exists. This book can help you to understand it a bit more, and recognize it when you see it. The book however had areas that were repetitive, and really pushed Catholic dogma to the point of distraction in my opinion. I too am Catholic, but I wish he'd toned it down in this area...perhaps make it more user friendly and less in your face rules and regulations that are black and white. Overall, bravo.

Rating:
Summary: Read with discernment!
Review: In my opinion, Malachi Martin's "Hostage to the Devil" is _the_ book on demonic possession. Having said that, here is my two cents about "Beware the Night":

As a Catholic, I would recommend that this book be read with discernment. Officer Sarchie seems sincere in his beliefs, in the Work that he does, and as the co-author of this book. However, at the same time, there were some items that seemed curious and out of place (from a Catholic perspective), such as his references to auras, positive and negative energy, chakras, human spirits caught between two planes of existence, and so on. In other words, at times, what he writes about demonic possession and exorcism does ring true in relation to Catholic beliefs, but at other times, some of what he writes ventures a bit too close to common garden-variety psychic/paranormal pop culture literature.

Also, the reader should bear in mind that the bishop mentioned in this book is not in union with the official Church, and in fact, as a sedevacantist, he does not believe that Pope John Paul II is a valid pope.

You may find this book useful for expanding upon information you may have already obtained from other works on the subject, such as the aforementioned book by Malachi Martin and others. But again, read with discernment!

Rating:
Summary: Good book for staying awake at night
Review: It doesn't get much better than this. And the scariest part... it's all non-fiction. For the catholics and other Christians a wonderful work so they can say "Told you so". For those practitioners of the occult a trap door to be aware of and avoid.
No boys and girls, demons are not your friends no matter how many times you say Hail satan or how evil and satanic you think you are.

Rating:
Summary: Colloquial, Sensational, but Accurate
Review: Officer Sarchie has undertaken to write a gripping account of evil as he has encountered it in his 'job' with the NYC Police. At the core of his discussion is the concept that, as violent, viscious, and otherwise depraved as it may be, human evil is no comparison to praeternatural evil.

That being said, this is by no means a scholarly work. Sarchie's style is colloquial, conversational at best. There are no serious annotations. And he makes some terrible "professional" mistakes in discussing his experience assisting at formal exorcisms. He reveals information at times in a round-about manner, while other at other times being too direct, (e.g., describing failed exorcism attempts). He himself manages to violate most of the principles he tries to promote in this book.

Informative? Yes? Valid? Most certainly. This is a not-too-bad, somewhat sensationalized, attempt to discuss two distinct but very real issues: human and 'extra-human' evil, and exorcism. All things being equal, I would not encourage spending money on this book when there are more worthwhile -- better written, more comprehensive -- books available on the topic. If you find your curiosity piqued, get ahold of M. Scott Peck's "People of the Lie" for a serious discussion of the nature of praeturnatural evil and its effects on humans, and Malachi Martin's "Hostage to the Devil" for an in-depth look at the (exorcism) rituals used to expell demons.

Rating:
Summary: Colloquial, Sensational, but Accurate
Review: Officer Sarchie has undertaken to write a gripping account of evil as he has encountered it in his 'job' with the NYC Police. At the core of his discussion is the concept that, as violent, viscious, and otherwise depraved as it may be, human evil is no comparison to praeternatural evil.

That being said, this is by no means a scholarly work. Sarchie's style is colloquial, conversational at best. There are no serious annotations. And he makes some terrible "professional" mistakes in discussing his experience assisting at formal exorcisms. He reveals information at times in a round-about manner, while other at other times being too direct, (e.g., describing failed exorcism attempts). He himself manages to violate most of the principles he tries to promote in this book.

Informative? Yes? Valid? Most certainly. This is a not-too-bad, somewhat sensationalized, attempt to discuss two distinct but very real issues: human and 'extra-human' evil, and exorcism. All things being equal, I would not encourage spending money on this book when there are more worthwhile -- better written, more comprehensive -- books available on the topic. If you find your curiosity piqued, get ahold of M. Scott Peck's "People of the Lie" for a serious discussion of the nature of praeturnatural evil and its effects on humans, and Malachi Martin's "Hostage to the Devil" for an in-depth look at the (exorcism) rituals used to expell demons.

Rating:
Summary: Arrest Lisa Collier Cool!
Review: Ralph Sarchie is a tough cop on a mission from God. After a day on the beat, he sheds his uniform, dons his Gospel armour of Holy Water and saint medals and confronts the evil in the world with the finesse of a Chick Tract.

I will admit I was hoping for a continuance of adventures similar to those of Ed and Lorrine Warren. True, they have been exposed as humbugs, but believable and entertaining humbugs. Their books can still give chills. Sadly this one fails at the first chapter.

The incidences in this book start off well. Someone is being plagued by perceived demons and needs help. However, the situation deteriorates as Sarchie documents his response: mumbo jumbo, flinging holy water, and taking up the rest of the chapter scripture quoting and proselytizing. The only fright I find is people still indulge in such medieval thinking in the 21st Century. The man sincerely believes in demons and does so to the point where he is blindsided - a "possessed Jehovah's Witness" in one chapter sounds more like a person suffering from pancreatitis than possession. I can only wonder if the person is still alive.

Sarchie's writing is terrible. Obviously the man has little formal education and this is where I place the blame on his editor/ghost writer, Lisa Collier Cool. Since she has written tomes on how to write a variety business letters, she should be able display more literary skill and help this man present his story in a half-way intelligent manner.

Save your money and read an anti-Halloween Chick tract instead. It's on the same wavelength as Ralph Sarchie, is free and has more entertaining pictures.