Readers should note that this site does not distinguish between the various editions of Shakespeare, so the reviews you read may be for audiotapes, modern translations, etc. I am reviewing the Kenneth Branaugh BBC Radio recording of Hamlet. It is adequate, which I consider high praise for this challenging play. Like Branaugh's movie a few years later, it includes the entire text of the play, which is a nice way to remind yourself of some issues you may have forgotten.

The performances are pretty good, and include Branaugh (of course) as Hamlet and Derek Jacobi as Claudius, giving us a hint of the performances they would later give in the movie. No one's performance really blew me away, although Jacobi was excellent.

Ultimately, the play loses quite a bit when transferred to audio only. There's a lot to be conveyed with stage placement, physican action, expression, etc. Somehow, listening to the play limited my imagination on those issues, preventing my from using my "mind's eye" to the fullest.

Hamlet is considered, by many scholars, the pinnacle of Shakespeare's dramas. If you haven't read it yet this this Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism edition would be a great place to begin.

The text notes that are included with the play are very helpful to understand some of the more difficult language nuances that are inevitable with any Shakespeare. The structure is well laid out and conclusive. It complements the complexity of Hamlet very well.

Of course Hamlet is one of the great paradoxes and mysteries every written. The search of finding yourself and what it is that fuels the human spirit. Hamlet can be a very confusing play because of the depth of substance. However, the critical essays that suppliment the reading make it very accessable.

Each of the critical essays are of different schools of literary criticism: Feminist Criticism, psychoanalytic criticism, post-structuralist (deconstuctionist) criticism, Marxist critism, and finally a New Historicist criticism. Before each critism there is clearly written introduction to explain the motives and histories of that type of criticism.

This edition of Hamlet will not only introduce the reader to more Shakespeare, but also explain the play and help to familiarize the reader with literary criticism too. It is a beautiful volume that cannot be more recommended if you are wanting to buy a copy Hamlet.

Hamlet has always been thought of as one of the classics of literature. I could not think of another book which deserves this title more. The story of a Danish pricne who learns from his fathers ghost that his father, the king, was murdered by his brother, Hamlet's uncle, who then went on to marry Hamlet's mother. Hamlet is overcome by a longing for revenge, but also indecisive. Shakespeare creates a great amount of tension between the chatacters with powerful confrontatoins and biting language. It is a suspenseful tragedy, filled with anguish.

William Shakespeare was a genious when it came to breaking down the human psyche, and Hamlet is perhaps one of the most complex plays when it comes to human emotions. It is undoubtably one of his finest works, full of very complex, interesting characters, and a wonderfully chaotic plot. There are innumerable theories on Hamlet, why he is so indecisive, and if it all comes down to an oedipus complex. whatever way you interpret it, everyone can get something out of it. I feel like I am priveleged to have read such a wonderful play.

Hamlet is a character that I can relate to in some ways, being a very indecisive person myself. I felt I could connect with him better than many Shakespeare characters, MacBeth, Ceasar, Juliet, Helena or Hermia. That is one of the reasons that I enjoyed Hamlet so very much. I wish that everyone could love Hamlet as much as I did, but I know, especially being a high-school student, that it is a little much for general reading. For high school students, like me, I very strongly recommend this book, if you really like Shakespeare, and aren't looking for a quick read. Otherwise, it might be a little to much to tackle, if you don't really enjoy Shakespearian tragedies. For anyone who has time required to comprehend such a complex work, and is looking for a masterpiece of literature that will keep them thinking, Hamlet is the book for you.

Having read and enjoyed Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' trilogy, I decided to read this tale. It is definitely a fairy story in the tradition of the Brothers Grimm -- not for very young readers, but very entertaining for kids over 10, I'd say. Three interconnected stories revolve around the deeds of the mysterious and ingenious Dr. Kalmenius and his dealings with princes, apprentices and clockwork mechanisms. Though it is 109 pages long, the type is big and there are over 20 full-page illustrations, so this would be a good book for a child who shows an interest in the genre and seems ready to move on to a lengthier and more complex format.

I am a huge fan of The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife, the first two in the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy, and am anxiously awaiting The Amber Spyglass, the third. Even though this is a different style of witing it is still very good. It has an amazingly complex plotline for such a short book. Set in a small town in Germany, it's about Karl,a clockmaker's apprentice, who must make a new clockwork figure for the famous clock in town square, Fritz, a novelist, who must finish his oddly spine ting story, Clockwork, before it's to late, and Gretl, a young barmaid, who becomes our brave heroine. It's an intriguing story that I recomend to anyone who enjoys the utterly strange mixed into their fantasy. (Note: The characters aren't very advanced and need imagination)

Great book. Very creepy, with some great suspense. The illustrations are beautiful and very appropriate. Some readers have pointed out that the characters are underdeveloped--yes, they are, but that's not at all a fault, as this is a story in the style of folktales, where the characters aren't meant to be fully developed. They don't have to be. All of you who were enchanted by Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy will want to check this out. It's an entertaining quick read, and it will satisfy your hunger for more Philip Pullman books.

Do we still have the time and patience to read a 900 page Dickens novel? Are we willing to put up with the long-winded paragraphs, the "cardboard characters", the convoluted mysteries of 19th century fiction? Rags-to-riches stories may not command as much attention today as they did then - until we read how gullible people are lured into shady investment schemes, how greed spreads like an epidemic, creating stock market bubbles followed by collapse and ruin; then we realize that not much has changed after all. Sudden wealth brings out the worst in people: pretentiousness, social climbing, dissipation. The Dorrit family, set free from Debtor's Prison by an unexpected inheritance, behave just as the newly rich behave today - all except Amy ("Little Dorrit") who is not cowed by poverty nor blinded by riches.

The novel is about all sorts of imprisonment: physical, mental, spiritual. It's almost like a morality play, with stock characters who might as well be wearing signs proclaiming GREED, ENVY, PRIDE, WRATH, etc. People trapped in loveless marriages, indifferent jobs, money-grubbing schemes or self-righteous posturing are victims of the "mind-forged manacles" evoked by Blake. The social criticism may be dated, but the commentary on human nature surely is not.

For those who lack the stamina to plough through the entire novel, there is an excellent 4-part video version with Alec Guiness as Mr.Dorrit and Derek Jacobi as Arthur Clennam. It takes some liberties with the text, but the acting is superb.

As an afterthought, you might enjoy reading Evelyn Waugh's "A Handful of Dust", where the theme of entrapment is pursued in unexpected ways, culminating in a reading of "Little Dorrit".

Almost as good as Bleak House. Two shortcomings, though. One, the poetry of the language never reaches the same heights. Dickens just doesn't seem as inspired here, and there are moments when he even seems tired and to be suffering from the same disappointment his characters complain of. Two, the mystery theme is pushed to the background and is lame in comparison. Otherwise, the structure is excellent, weaving the themes of the Circumlocution Office and self-imprisonment relatively seamlessly through the story.

One reviewer here has commented that "Little Dorrit" is not without Dickens' trademark humor, and, with one qualification, I would agree. Mr F's Aunt, Mrs Plornish, and Edmund Sparkler in particular are all quite funny. Characters like William Dorrit and Flora Finching, however, who would have been funny in earlier books (eg, Wilkins Micawber and Dora Spenlow in "David Copperfield" it can be argued, are younger - and more romantic - versions of Dorrit and Flora) are only pathetic in this one. It is a sign of the change in Dickens that he can no longer see the lighter side of these characters.

BTW, there is another little joke for those versed in Victorian Lit. The comedic couple Edmond Sparkler and Fanny Dorrit are a play on an earlier couple, Edmond Bertram and Fanny Price in Jane Austen's "Mansfield Park". The joke is that Dickens has taken the names and inverted the characters. Fanny Dorrit couldn't be more different than Fanny Price, and likewise Edmond Sparkler and Edmond Bertram. I'm sure this is not an accident. Dickens had a thing for the name Fanny, using it for two of his less appealing "temptresses", Fanny Squeers (in "Nicholas Nickleby") and of course Fanny Dorrit. Funny stuff.

And speaking of Fanny Dorrit, I have one last comment. It is often said of Dickens that he couldn't create good female characters. This puts me in mind of Chesterton who related a similar complaint made by Dickens' male contemporaries that he couldn't describe a gentleman. As Chesterton deftly pointed out, however, what these gentlemen really meant was that Dickens couldn't (or wouldn't) describe gentlemen as they wished themselves to be described. Rather, Dickens described gentlemen as they actually appeared. I might say the same thing about the women who complain about Dickens' female characters. It's not so much that Dickens couldn't (or wouldn't) describe good female characters. Rather, it's that the kinds of characters he did describe aren't the ones the complanaints wish to see. Women praise the Elizabeth Bennetts of the book-world not because the real world is full of Liz Bennetts (it's not), but because that's the way they themselves wish to be seen. Truth is, however, there are far more Fanny Dorrits and Flora Finchings and Dora Spenlows than there are Liz Bennetts. The women who complain of these characters, though, would rather ignore this unflattering little fact. Whatever. The truth will out, and there's far too much truth in Dickens characters to be so lightly dismissed.

4 1/2 stars

Dickens' last novels (with the exception of the unfinished EDWIN DROOD) really form a group all to themselves: exceptionally concerned with the excesses of social institutions and the cruelties of high society, they in some ways read more like Trollope and Thackeray than they do Dickens' own earlier works, although they retain Dickens's fine gift for character and bite. LITTLE DORRIT is proabbly my favorite of the later works: its multiple stories are extremely gripping, and his satire at its sharpest and most necessary. Many people say these later novels are not as funny as his earlier works, but DORRIT is to me an exception: there are few funnier (or more dear) characters in Dickens' repertoire than the breathless, kindhearted Flora Finching, and I find myself almost helpless with laughter whenever Flora's senile and hostile charge, Mr F's Aunt, makes her perfectly doled-out appearances in these pages. (Arguably the funniest scene Dickens ever wrote is the scene with this "most excellent woman" and Arthur Clennam and the crust of bread). This is a great Dickens novel even for people who tend not to like Dickens (and yes, there are some of them, as hard as that may be for the rest of us to believe).

(...)

Forget the title. Forget the inverted pentagram on the front. Forget the hoakey Halloween coloring of the outside. Now, what's the CONTENT of this book all about? You're buying the WRONG book IF you're searching for literature on spell casting, devil worship, cults, the supernatural, metaphysics, soul selling, or even descriptions of Satanism.

But what you WILL find in this book is researched (the bibliography is HUGE) and refined, applicable manipulation techniques. Nothing "magick" or "supernatural"- it's all psychological. But it works!

The book ultimately teaches how to "read" people, and how to use that information to your own advantage. LaVey mentions that "psychics" don't actually have supernatural powers but rather do great "people reading"- making very close observations of posture, clothing, speech, etc. and using that to make accurate guesses as to what their life is like.

This is book was mostly written for women (though despite being a man, I still found use for the "people reading" techniques). The main focus is on how a woman can use the fact she's a woman to her advantage. And that doesn't always mean being sexually seductive.

In fact, being a man, this book practically _scared_ me when I realized just how much power a woman CAN have. In a way, I'm _glad_ the book has a title blasphemous enough to turn-off the average person, because if every woman used this book, they'd completely rule the world overnight (if they truly don't rule already). But again, despite being for female-applicable, men too can get something out of the book.

Oh yeah, and if you think I'm some brainwashed lying cult member and thus don't believe me- go ahead and read (or even skim through) the book yourself!

In his book, Mr. LaVey dismisses a Wiccan or another White (beneficent) Magick user as one who "...either is kidding herself or has much to learn." He redefines a witch as a female temptress who has made a pact with the Devil and who uses her magical sexual image and prowness to "...cloud men's minds and make simpering idiots out of them." Mr. LaVey's witches play with men because "...if a woman wants anything in life, she can obtain it easier through a man than through another woman...".

The book presents Mr. LaVey's lessons for witches. He discusses his concept of men and women's physical, mental, and emotional characteristics. He discusses how his witches project a selected sexual image using cosmetics, body language, fashion, sexual ploys, psychology, fortune telling, and ceremonial magic. He discusses how his witches control the news media.

Mr. LaVey's book is both humorous and sad. Mr. LaVey's instructions for manipulating men are absurdly stereotypical. But once Ones realize that Mr. LaVey's lessons are totally serious and that Mr. LaVey apparently *has* trained many women, Mr. LaVey's opinion and use of women saddens Ones. Mr. LaVey's witches resemble veneered furniture: their finish only is skin deep.

This book, which provides a window into Mr. LaVey's personality and life, is a mixed blessing. Keep your ice open.

In his book, Mr. LaVey dismisses a Wiccan or another white (beneficent) magick user as one who "...either is kidding herself or has much to learn." He redefines a witch as a female temptress who has made a pact with the Devil and who uses her magical sexual image and prowness to "...cloud men's minds and make simpering idiots out of them." Mr. LaVey's witches play with men because "...if a woman wants anything in life, she can obtain it easier through a man than through another woman...".

The majority of the book instructs women on Mr. LaVey's lessons for witches. He discusses his concept of men and women's physical, mental, and emotional characteristics. He discusses how his witches can project a selected sexual image using cosmetics, body language, fashion, sexual ploys, psychology, fortune telling, and ceremonial magic. He discusses how his witches can control the news media.

Mr. LaVey's book is both humorous and sad. The majority of Mr. LaVey's instructions concerning how to manipulate men are stereotypical to the point of being absurd. But once one realizes that Mr. LaVey is totally serious in his lessons and that Mr. LaVey apparently *has* trained many women, Mr. LaVey's opinion and use of women saddens one. Mr. LaVey's witches resemble veneered furniture: their finish only is skin deep.

This book, which provides a window into Mr. LaVey's personality and life, is a mixed blessing. Keep your ice open.

Greetings Everyone. Out of all of Anton Lavey's works (satanic bible, satan speaks, and the satanic witch), this book rght here, "The Devil's Notebook" (in my opinion anyway) is the best of Lavey's works. At the same time that some of the stuff in this is humorous (read chapters "Duck-Billed Platitudes", "Hatha Toilet Seat Meditaion", and "The Whoopi Cushion Shall Rise Again" for instance) most of stuff that Lavey says in this book is so true I'm surprised Lavey himself is not a perfect human being. Chapters like "on the Importance of Being Evil", "The Goodguy badge" and "Two Wrongs Make A Right" I agree with completely. You'll have to buy the book yourself and see why. Of course, I'm not actually a satanist, I'm really an atheist, so the only thing that I do not agree with in this book is all that magic and occult [stuff] that plague all of Lavey's work (I know that satanism doesn't equal to devil worship and Lavey's work doesn't mention anything about virgin sacrifices, animal mutilation or any other sick stuff that christians like to credit satanist with, for those of you that are satanist and are reading this review, so relax). Anyway, I have read other of Lavey's works. The satanic bible was okay, but it was filled with stuff that people should already know by instinct, satanist or not. The Satanic witch is just about the only piece of Lavey's work that I find repugnant and stupid. Again, in my opinion, those of you that are starting into satanism and/or never read one of Lavey's works, satanist or not, I suggest you start with this book first before you read any other material by him.

I feel kind of put off, if only because I have trouble giving this work more credit, simply because I find myself wondering how much was actually LaVey's own work. Run a google search on "LaVey", and you'll come across many websites, and many articles noting the fact that ASL was apparently quite a habitual falsifier. According to testimonies, research, and official documents, much of the life LaVey played up to the public, was built around tall tales. Everything from his name, to his personal holdings, to many of his "infamous" life experiences, were all made up or heavily exaggerated (apparently much of "The Satanic Bible" was just lifted from previous works, with no credit being given to said volumes.) Not to say that he isn't still an interesting individual from a psychological standpoint- it must have taken quite a sense of character for him to build up such a lifestyle, and, maybe he did indeed have a reason for all that carrying-on? Anyways, read this book for a collection of interesting, and sometimes thought provoking essays, whether they were all written by him or not.

As any Satanist can tell you, LaVey was a man full of biting wit, iconoclastic insight and, above all, a most astute and adroit observer of human folly and misinterpretation, himself being subjected to the latter more than anyone in recent memory.

In this book, published after two decades of inactivity (to the world of print), LaVey sheds light on many interesting topics, bringing his usual dose of sardonic humor to the printed page.

A particular essay comes to mind when I think of this book- it's called "Hatha Toilet Seat Meditaion," and if it doesn't solicit laughter from you, nothing will. For those of you who are familiar with it, I'm certain you're grinning right now. For those who aren't, read the book and find out why.

Other essays focus on some pretty forbiding topics, and the level of candor expressed by LaVey never lets us forget that while the media may have portrayed him as several things- none of which were especially flattering- we will continue to respect him for the insight he shared with us, remembering the first time we read the "Satanic Bible," a book that for many of us described the thoughts we'd always thought, but never knew anyone else did.

So, when you read this book, say to yourself with a sigh of gratification, "Hail Satan!"

If you'd like to contact me, you can do so at Justin@radiofreesatan.com

If you're a recently self-discovered Satanist, you have my best wishes for your continued learning and exploration.

HS!

As I read this play, my family is in the process of moving a thousand miles away from the farm where I grew up. Though I am so far away from the Russian culture and time of this play, the themes of place, tradition, and inevitable change resonated inside of me, and I am grateful to Chekhov for the way he has handled them.

The Cherry Orchard is a play about change, and the symbolism is pretty easy to recognize. What makes it stand apart, I think, from a thousand other plays on the same theme is its wonderful sense of comedy, of smiling sadness. Chekhov all his life insisted it was a comedy. As the Cherry Orchard slips away from the Ranevskys, they seem to smile at its going. As they are unable to change their habits -- still lending money they don't have, still spending extravagantly -- they quietly laugh at their own foolishness. The change comes, and they leave, heartbroken -- but embracing the change at the same time, only feebling struggling against it. One feels saddest, in the end, for Lopakhin, the new owner of the Cherry Orchard. He seems to believe he has bought happiness and friends, but is quickly discovering the emptiness of money and possessions, as no one wants to borrow from him, and no one seems to pay him much heed at all.

Chekhov paints with a fine brush, and I appreciate that. There is no thunderstorming, no ranting and raving in this work. There is a fine and subtle, sad and comedic portrayal of a family and a place encountering change. It is a heartbreak with a smile.

The translation, though the only one I've read, seems good. It is easy to follow and rich in simple feeling.

if you'd like to discuss this play with me, or recommend something i might enjoy, or just chat, e-mail me at williekrischke@hotmail.com.

Anton Chekhov's play "The Cherry Orchard" has been published as part of the Dover Thrift Edition series (that's the version I read before writing this review). No translator is credited for this edition. According to the note at the start of the book, the play was initially presented by the Moscow Art Theatre in 1904.

The play takes place on the estate of Madame Ranevsky, the matriarch of an aristocratic Russian family that has fallen on financial hard times. She faces the possible loss of her family's magnificent cherry orchard.

The play is populated with interesting characters: Lopakhin, a wealthy neighbor whose father was the serf of Madame Ranevsky's father; Firs, an aged servant who longs for the "old days"; Trophimof, a student with lofty ideas; and more. There is a great deal of conflict among the characters.

"The Cherry Orchard" is about people dealing with very personal conflicts and crises while larger socioeconomic changes are going on around them. The orchard of the title is a memorable image that is well handled by Chekhov. The play contains some really effective dialogue, such as old Firs' reflection on the apparently lost art of making dried cherries. This is definitely one classic play that remains compelling.

The Cherry Orchard was me first experience with Chekhov, and I was surprised at the depth in this 49 page play. By no means would I considered myself a "literary expert," but this was very readable and you can pull a lot of the deeper meanings and its context in Russian history by yourself. I was confused at a couple people who write that the simply couldn't understand it and it put them to sleep! It's not THAT tough! If I could understand and appreciate it, almost anyone can!

What I like most about Chekhov is that he doesn't simplify his characters. He's a realist in this sense. Lopahkin and Trophimof each have admirable and detestable characteristics, just like you and I. While it may be set in the tumultuous period prior to the Russian revolution, the ideas and the discussions this play provokes are timeless.

Highly recommended!

If you are looking for a short, comprehensive, encyclopedic catalogue of Aesop's Fables then this book is a steal. There are 83 fables in all, including the more famous ones such as the Boy Who Cried Wolf, The Lion and the Mouse and the Goose That Laid the Golden Egg. Each fable comes with a half page or so re-telling of its story plus a one sentence synopsis of the stories' "moral" at the end.

My problem with this is that the stories are so short, there is no magic in them. They are stripped of all but the bones. I can't imagine a child being interested in the stories told this way. I would have preferred them cutting the number of stories and instead fleshing them out by a few pages. I recommend paying a few bucks more for *The Aesop for Children* (ISBN:0590479776) by M. Winter which does just that.

Culturally we are now at the point when "Slow but steady wins the race," "Look before you leap," and "Necessity is the mother of invention" are considered wise sayings passed down from generation to generation. But even if you know these proverbs you might have forgotten, or probably never knew in the first place, that they were first said by an ex-slave named Aesop two thousand years ago and each was the moral to one of his fables. This particular collection of Aesop's fables is based on the 19th-century research and translation of George Fyler Townsend, for whom the stories were moral lessons intended for an ADULT audience rather than simply children's stories about anthropomophic animals. Because he used animals with human strengths and weaknesses, Aesop's tales have been directed over the years more towards children; I heard of lot of them for the first time on a record by the Smothers Brothers. But Townsend restores the style and sophistication that are not commonly found in the juvenile editions of Aesop. In addition to the familiar fables like "The Fox and the Grapes" and "The Hare and the Tortoise" there are dozens of lesser known fables uncovered by Townsend and included in the over 300 fables included in this edition, which makes this collection one of the more comprehensive of its kind.

Culturally we are now at the point when "Slow but steady wins the race," "Look before you leap," and "Necessity is the mother of invention" are considered wise sayings passed down from generation to generation. But even if you know these proverbs you might have forgotten, or probably never knew in the first place, that they were first said by an ex-slave named Aesop two thousand years ago and each was the moral to one of his fables. This particular collection of Aesop's fables is based on the 19th-century research and translation of George Fyler Townsend, for whom the stories were moral lessons intended for an ADULT audience rather than simply children's stories about anthropomophic animals. Because he used animals with human strengths and weaknesses, Aesop's tales have been directed over the years more towards children; I heard of lot of them for the first time on a record by the Smothers Brothers. But Townsend restores the style and sophistication that are not commonly found in the juvenile editions of Aesop. In addition to the familiar fables like "The Fox and the Grapes" and "The Hare and the Tortoise" there are dozens of lesser known fables uncovered by Townsend and included in the over 300 fables included in this edition, which makes this collection one of the more comprehensive of its kind.

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.

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!!!

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)

After hearing alot about this book I finally decided to read it. From what I can surmise "Might is Right" is actually a PARODY (i.e. black humor) I don't think it was meant to be taken literally at all. I think it is philosophical-egoism and actually renders its own assertions as contradictory. For example, on one page Mr. Redbeard declares women to be soft and timid, then in the very next page women have committed acts of bravery that would rival a man of steel! Mr. Redbeard also has a bizarre interptation of Nature. He thinks of it as an ABSOLUTE. Nature or natural order is mental construct. What is natural for me may not be natural for you. He also seems to be a racist favoring the Anglo-Saxon as the most evolved. If a woman or a non-white possess the Force(right of might) then why would the same rules not apply to him/her? This book reminds me of the Judeo/Christain Bible and all its contradictions.

I am an open minded individual, and let me be the first to say that Might is Right will definetly change the way you think! It addresses a lot of modern concerns from a very real, hard truth, and esoteric point of veiw. This is a no frills collections of essays that really hit home with some people.

It is written in a very opinionated fanatical manner, you'll find it uncensored, and far from politically correct. If your easily offended this book is not for you!

Any unembarised man of thought will find it worth owning, but read with caution and take all you read with a grain of salt.

This book is an excellent, captivating read. There is no reason that an intelligent & open mind cannot gleam so great information from this book even if they do not agree with everything. There are a lot of racial viewpoints expressed in this book, but it is not so much hatred of non-nordics but pride of in nordic race and history. There is so much to be learned, it has literally changed my waltanschauung (worldview) and has helped and will continue to help me achieve the very goals that I am so willing and ready to accomplish now. All the reviews are helpful given so far. It really does feel as if this is a holy book. BUY IT NOW!

Don't misunderstand me- I really have an affinity toward LaVey and the glories he stands for- happiness, individualism, and nonconformity paired with strength, power, and ethics, but, please, alow me to explain, as objectively as possible, the reason why I felt this book only merited the paltry three stars I assigned to it. First of all, there just isn't much applicable material contained withing its covers. Its not a practical guide to Satanism; the books only redeeming essays are the first one, and perhaps "The Good Old Days," which does manage much insight on the follies of human misconception and misinterpretation. However, those searching for LaVey's best are advised to read the Satanic Bible, The Devil's Notebook, and also The Satanic Witch. Therein you will find all the positive, wonderful info you need. I would only recomend this book to those who are true Satanists and wish to know what their founder thought. Otherwise, I recomend the aforementioned. Thank you for reading this, I hope I've assisted you in some way- if your a Satanist. Hail Satan!

Anton Szandor LaVey, author/compiler of "The Satanic Bible" and founder of the notorious Church of Satan, certainly had a unique position in late 20th century culture. "Satan Speaks!", published after his death, represents the final testament of this demonic prophet. Whether or not you are a Satanist, you just might find this book to be an interesting, provocative, and even enjoyable read.

A collection of short essays, "Satan Speaks!" varies in quality. Some of the selections strike me as underdeveloped, self-indulgent rants: I refer particularly to "Child Abuse," "Some Professionals and a Poem," and others. But even some of these grouchy tirades have appealing flashes of dark humor; try "Don't Bathe," LaVey's celebration of body odor.

And the best of these essays range from delightful exercises in creative misanthropy to truly thought-provoking analyses of popular culture. LaVey speculates on the connections between the Jew and the Satanist in "A Plan," discusses the potential of "The Witch's Shoe as Weaponry" in the essay of that title, and issues a fascinating manifesto for Satanic cultural activism in "The Horns of a Dilemma."

And throughout the book one can find marvelously quotable aphorisms from the man known as the Black Pope. Examples: "Is it coincidence that the most important word to a Satanist is 'Why?'" (from "The Third Side"); "Did Charlie Chaplin have a Hitler moustache, or vice versa?" (from "The Jewish Question"); or "Don't bomb abortion clinics unless you happen to need one, and they won't take you" (from "My Enemy").

"Traditional" religionists and other more "proper" folk may cringe at LaVey's writings, but to the adventurous reader, "Satan Speaks!" is a deliciously stocked candy store. Was this truly LaVey's final testament, or are there hidden demonic manuscripts of his waiting to be unleashed upon a trembling world? Stay tuned!

This is the kind of book you could basically get killed for reading, yet it contains the wisdom of probably ten or more ordinary books rolled into one. Anton Szandor LaVey was a truly unique guy, and in this book, he not only talks about his views on religion but his views on a very wide range of subjects. He definitely has a biting wit and a great sense of humor. He also had much more common sense than the average bear. I read somewhere that the Pope once denounced him as "the wickedest man in the world". The world lost a lot when it lost Anton LaVey, but at least some of his thoughts have been preserved for those willing to take a second (or third) look at things.