Rating: 
Summary: not bad at all.
Review: Robert Anton Wilson's book "Cosmic Trigger: The Final Secrets of the Illuminati" is one of the most diverse books that I have read. Basically, Wilson is highly convinced that there is a controlled destiny for everyone's lives. He takes a very basic look on the topics of metaprogramming, chapel perilous, religion, and various secret societies. I especially love the statement "maybe the secret of the Illuminati is that you don't you're in until it is too late." I do think his argument could have been more effective without the constant referencing to LSD as a "breakthrough" in open mindedness, but perhaps this is because I have been programmed by society to not accept such explanations.Wilson basis most of his arguments on personal experiences for both himself and others. I do not think these serve as valid premises as he openly admits that he was on drugs at the time. It makes his argument of seeing aliens, hidden patterns, etc. very weak. Where as the ideas of Sirus, Discordian Society and the metaphysical might seem sketchy, Wilson has certainly done his homework is referencing several well-established personalities in the scientific community. He challenges the reader to think outside the box using arguments that provide very compelling evidence. I do think the author discredits himself by creating the illusion of having multiple personalites, but perhaps it was the only way he felt he could express himself. Written as clearly as one can when discussing such technical subjects as mind control and alien conspiracy, I highly recommend the reading of this book. The idea that God is something we reference only to explain things we don't understand or that are beyond our control will delight some readers, though it did not exactly thrill me. The idea that the concept of God could stem from contact with alien life seems impossible, but could always have happened. Several well-documented cases of premonition like the Mothman Prophecies, and encounters like the Simonton Pancakes add to Wilson's evidence. The concept of chapel perilous: a mental place in which you learn so much that all your thoughts and belief structures are challeged, is highly scary, but then again, anytime a belief proves to be false devastation follows. I do not however, believe that drug use would bring one to that point. Probably the biggest fallacy found in the book is Wilson's claim that he does not believe in anything. Is that even possible? I think you have to have some beliefs, such as you believe that breathing will bring you air, etc. I think an argument that he intended to reference as making him seem open minded did nothing more than bewilder his audience. The book was a really good read, even though it did demand some serious time to let the information settle. I would suggest that one heed Wilson's original advice: If things start making sense, put the book down. It is not worth loosing your sanity over. If you are, however, interested in why a man would quit his job as the Editor of Playboy to pursue a career of divulging conspiracies, then this is the book for you. See you on Sirius!
Rating:
Summary: From Playboy to Pancakes
Review: Robert Anton Wilson's book "Cosmic Trigger: The Final Secrets of the Illuminati" is one of the most diverse books that I have read. Basically, Wilson is highly convinced that there is a controlled destiny for everyone's lives. He takes a very basic look on the topics of metaprogramming, chapel perilous, religion, and various secret societies. I especially love the statement "maybe the secret of the Illuminati is that you don't you're in until it is too late." I do think his argument could have been more effective without the constant referencing to LSD as a "breakthrough" in open mindedness, but perhaps this is because I have been programmed by society to not accept such explanations. Wilson basis most of his arguments on personal experiences for both himself and others. I do not think these serve as valid premises as he openly admits that he was on drugs at the time. It makes his argument of seeing aliens, hidden patterns, etc. very weak. Where as the ideas of Sirus, Discordian Society and the metaphysical might seem sketchy, Wilson has certainly done his homework is referencing several well-established personalities in the scientific community. He challenges the reader to think outside the box using arguments that provide very compelling evidence. I do think the author discredits himself by creating the illusion of having multiple personalites, but perhaps it was the only way he felt he could express himself. Written as clearly as one can when discussing such technical subjects as mind control and alien conspiracy, I highly recommend the reading of this book. The idea that God is something we reference only to explain things we don't understand or that are beyond our control will delight some readers, though it did not exactly thrill me. The idea that the concept of God could stem from contact with alien life seems impossible, but could always have happened. Several well-documented cases of premonition like the Mothman Prophecies, and encounters like the Simonton Pancakes add to Wilson's evidence. The concept of chapel perilous: a mental place in which you learn so much that all your thoughts and belief structures are challeged, is highly scary, but then again, anytime a belief proves to be false devastation follows. I do not however, believe that drug use would bring one to that point. Probably the biggest fallacy found in the book is Wilson's claim that he does not believe in anything. Is that even possible? I think you have to have some beliefs, such as you believe that breathing will bring you air, etc. I think an argument that he intended to reference as making him seem open minded did nothing more than bewilder his audience. The book was a really good read, even though it did demand some serious time to let the information settle. I would suggest that one heed Wilson's original advice: If things start making sense, put the book down. It is not worth loosing your sanity over. If you are, however, interested in why a man would quit his job as the Editor of Playboy to pursue a career of divulging conspiracies, then this is the book for you. See you on Sirius!
Rating: 
Summary: BRILLIANT & PROVOCATIVE
Review: So many threads come together in this well-written book that it's all a bit overwhelming at first. His style is witty, honest, compelling and addictive and subjects range from mysteries & magick to self-improvement and life extension. I enjoyed the many similarities in style & subject matter with some of my other favourite authors like Stuart Wilde, U. S. Andersen and Colin Wilson. It has also a kindled an interest in many other authors mentioned in the text, especially Timothy Leary who I thought was just a 60s cult figure but whose later work I will definitely investigate now. Cosmic Trigger I is definitely amongst my Top 10 books of all time. People who enjoyed this book will love Affirmations by Stuart Wilde, The Greatest Power In The Universe by U. S. Andersen and From Atlantis To The Sphinx by Colin Wilson.
Rating:
Summary: BRILLIANT & PROVOCATIVE
Review: So many threads come together in this well-written book that it's all a bit overwhelming at first. His style is witty, honest, compelling and addictive and subjects range from mysteries & magick to self-improvement and life extension. I enjoyed the many similarities in style & subject matter with some of my other favourite authors like Stuart Wilde, U. S. Andersen and Colin Wilson. It has also a kindled an interest in many other authors mentioned in the text, especially Timothy Leary who I thought was just a 60s cult figure but whose later work I will definitely investigate now. Cosmic Trigger I is definitely amongst my Top 10 books of all time. People who enjoyed this book will love Affirmations by Stuart Wilde, The Greatest Power In The Universe by U. S. Andersen and From Atlantis To The Sphinx by Colin Wilson.
Rating:
Summary: The Cosmic trigger
Review: The cosmic trigger has been in my life for about three
years now, sometimes I think if I had never read it I would
feel that my soul is lost. Robert Anton Wilson is the best writer I have read today and everyday after that
Rating:
Summary: Great Encylapedia
Review: This book is an encyclapedia of some of the more interesting thoughts bouncing around north american/western europian culture during the first 70 years of this century. I would not recommend this book for the Amish, or other people trying to turn back the hands of time. I would not recommend RAWs fiction, or the other cosmic trigger books. Sorry. I would also recommend the AMOK reading list, if you can find it.
Rating:
Summary: Cosmic Trigger Blew My Mind 23 Times
Review: This is a fantastic diatribe into the unknown! I first read this book almost 20 years ago and have gone through it 23 times since. Wilson was an editor at Playboy years back and has lived in Dublin. He is extremely intelligent and witty, but he can scare the bejesus out of you! Just keep an eye out for how many times you run across the number 23 (it is the most frequent number that comes up in lotteries, for one thing). It will astound you. He is correct about "the web" and how we are never more removed than by a factor of five from all the people in the world. Yeah, it's freaky, but it stimulates the old brain cells. Order it today from Amazon because it is a good value and you will never regret it. Just don't get too freaked out like me and wind up taking Paxil to calm you down!
Rating:
Summary: a REAL trip
Review: This was my first introduction to the writings of Robert Anton Wilson, at a time in my life when the limited, inconsistant, and ludicrous models of reality offered by the world seemed too limiting to bear. What Wilson offers here appears (in my reality tunnel) to be a look into the largely misunderstood philosophy of agnosticism, as well as his own experiences with love, sex, drugs, yoga, magik, life, death, and governmental corruption. Does this review capture Wilson, or Cosmic Trigger I in its entirety? Of course not, and Wilson is fully aware that his writings and non-beliefs defy any catagorization (his books are very hard to find in retail stores). All I can offer is my uninformed opinion that there is no wiser, more humorous, and generally more interesting than Robert Anton Wilson.
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