Rating: 
Summary: Really sticks with you
Review: After having studied Occult Philosophy for almost 10 years of my life, I can honestly say I have read many books on the subject. Some of them remain implanted in the head of the reader, some unfortunately do not. This is one of the jewels which has remained firmly implanted in my head and heart- I never go anywhere without it, and often find myself referring back to it and even quoting it. The Book of Lies is poetic and insightful, an imaginative materpiece. I recommend it to everybody, whether theologist, Thelemite, or just the average Joe searching for the meaning in life.
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Summary: True piece of genius
Review: Crowley may be one of our times biggest genius, and i grief his unfortunate death. This book contains 92 chapters, each containing something different, some are rituals others poems, its a hard book to analyze and thats the magic about it: each person can have his/her own version of the book of lies, one of Crowleys best pieces. Yeah get it before it's out of print again!
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Summary: The "Great Beast" at large
Review: Even the title of this formerly out of print book is refreshing, since the writers of most metaphysical and spiritual texts usually believe they know the absolute truth. However, as the book's back cover states, this is not your typical mystical or philosophical treatise. Scholars have written that it is both "stupendously idiotic and amazingly clever." After reading much of it, I can only agree, especially when Crowley says things like this in the chapter entitled, "The Duck-Billed Platypus:""Dirt is matter in the wrong place.
Thought is mind in the wrong place.
Matter is mind, so thought is dirt." I can only agree with Crowley on this, but I would paraphrase it slightly to say, "Matter is mind, and mind is dirty thoughts," considering how much more often humans probably think about matters carnal than matters spiritual. One useful feature of the book is the commentaries accompanying each chapter. These are very helpful in interpreting Crowley's more arcane references. For example, in the chapter "The Blind Webster," the explanation is "The 21st key of the Tarot is called "The Universe," and refers to the letter tau, the Phallus in manifestation; hence the title, "The Bind Webster." " This is interesting, but I think a more accurate description, if I'm interpreting this correctly, would be "the one-eyed trouser snake," rather than "the Blind Webster." But one thing for sure is that it isn't "the far-sighted Phallus," since it seems to be particularly near-sighted about the short-term consequences of its actions. Finally, there's the chapter "Sodomy Apples," which I naturally assumed would be a relative of the smaller, well-known dingle-berry, but silly me, according to the commentary, its actually about, among other things, "a practical counsel to mystics not to break up their dryness by relaxing their austerities." Well, I'm glad they clarified that. On the other hand, given Crowley's predilection to paradoxically assert the opposite in this book, if you take the antonyms of, or reverse the meanings of, the words in this description, it becomes, "a practical counsel to mystics to "integrate their wetness by tensing their luxuries." " I can only hope that someday I can attain to such an enviable state of being and spiritual enlightenment. I thought I'd leave you with one more thought of Crowley's. As I was originally trained as a physiologist, I found his assertion that one should sleep in a hay loft so one can inhale the healthful vapors from all the cow manure to be especially thought provoking, if not physically strenuous, especially considering how cold your typically drafty old barn probably is. Well, as Crowley himself says in the chapter, "Onion Peelings," The Universe is the Practical Joke of the General at the Expense of the Particular." On the other hand, I think it can be more correctly said of this interesting book that it is the practical joke of the particular at the expense of the general. On that note, I leave it to our gentle reader to decide for himself about Crowley's paradoxical little book.
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Summary: Mystical Poetry, Reference Work and Qabalistic Conundrum
Review: For The Mystic, this collection of Poetic Insights is very difficult to put-down. Once you start reading, it is almost impossible to do anything but ingest the complex blocks of text before your eyes. Be sure you have some reading time set-aside, before you tackle this one. I read it in two sittings, but I would-have finished it in one, if I only had the time!
Only Mystics will fully appreciate this Work of amazing verbal, Qabalistic Conundrums.
Any student of Crowley should have this text on-hand, because he refers the reader to this Poetic treatise, more often than not. Regardless of whether you are reading his "Confessions" (Autohagiography) or his Qabalistic masterpiece, "777," you will casually be referred back to the good ol' "Book of Lies."
I never imagined this book of Crowley's whimsical jottings would prove so intriguing or helpful in pursuit of mystical knowledge. Crowley often refers to this book as his most-important work. However, don't expect to "get it" right-away. This is more of a Text-book, than a casual Poetry book.
I am surprised he didn't put a Test in the back!
However, this book is all-about testing yourself, not being tested by others. Luckily, the Commentaries were added for us common folk. Enjoy !
Rating:
Summary: It's a filtering process
Review: From the "FOREWORD: At first sight the book is a jumble of nonsense intended to insult the reader". It's a filtering process or maybe early target marketing. Personally this one of my favorite books ever written but it's not for everyone.
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Summary: Hardly Idiocy
Review: If you think this book is sheer nonsense, then you probably aren't ready to try reading it. Anything you read in this book will make perfect sense when you have come to a point where you are ready to understand it. None of the sections lend themselves to an easy, clear cut interpretation, and you shouldn't expect them to. It's not a joke (neither was the Nursery Rhyme section of Book 4) meant to test the humor of the reader. It's the most extensive exposition on Thelemic philosophy around. I can't recommend this book enough for someone interested in Thelema, though it will remain mostly impenetrable for those without knowledge of the Kabbalah.
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Summary: Easy to understand if you read it the right way.
Review: If you've read Crowley's other works, this one becomes easier to understand, or at least you'll recognize some references. Largely poetic, humorous, and in many parts very fun to read.
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Summary: It's a filtering process
Review: If you've studied Crowley for even a few hours, you'll realize that you're not going to open this book and understand what he was getting at just by reading through the text a few times. This is undoubtedly a work that requires careful consideration of so many implicit elements. To list what you need to consider to get at "the deeper meaning" of this book, I'd have to sit here all day. The interesting thing about this book is that you don't necessarily have to analyze the text thoroughly (though it's certainly worth it) to get something out of it. Some of the 'poems' evoke a good laugh, some are beautiful and inspiring and can easily become a personal gem of wisdom for the reader (for me, "The Mountaineer".) When I first started getting into Crowley's writing, a friend recommended starting with the Book of Lies. Other friends naturally scoffed at the recommendation, and insisted I start with The Book of the Law. Now I wish I'd gone with the Book of Lies first, so that I could come back to it after reading other Crowley just to see how far I've come in the Great Work. Even if the Great Work isn't your goal, this book if nothing else is a fantastic conversation piece. I recommend it to not only occultists, but to all book lovers. It's fascinating.
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Summary: What you are about to read is true on days ending at 12am
Review: In one little book, Uncle Al has hidden the secrets of the Universe, albeit obscured in riddle, pun, and a healthy dash of sarcasm. This is Crowley's poetry at its best. Even if you are not a Thelemite, or share Crowley's beliefs, this book should be read just for its linguistic gymnastics. If you are a Thelemite, or a follower of any "esoteric" path, then the koan-like poems herein are a must have, period. Within each of the 93 poems, gold is hidden for he or she who has the desire and patience to find it
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Summary: The Poetry of Aleister Crowley
Review: In this volume is collected most of Aleister Crowley's poetry. It's a real like it or hate it affair, even for occultists. I enjoyed the poems on magick rituals and also his lover Laylah. I read this in a few days because each poem is a chapter and they're only a half of a page or a few pages in length each. Not your typical poetry, but highly original and enticing for the Thelemite.
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