Rating: 
Summary: Book 4 Parts I - IV
Review: Having read the lively debate/reviews below, I think some important points have been missed through what appear to be fairly 'knee jerk' reactions.It should be noted that Crowley was one of the first 'Westerners' to bring the teachings of Yoga and Buddhism to the UK & USA during a time of strict formal religious discipline. He was the first to spend serious time and money investigating the mysteries of the mind and the subconscious, using drugs (then legal) and meditation, which was unheard of at that time (1900's). Just as 'The Beatles' (Crowley appears on the front cover of Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearst Club Band) and many other 'Society changing' bands experimented with mind altering drugs and alternative reality in the 1960's - he also wrote about his experiences with painful truth and applied his findings to the way we perceive existence. Such people are rarely accepted by their social group. Anyone who breaks with convention (and he broke many) will be reviled and attract a certain amount of infamy. To disregard him entirely is wrong. To worship him is also wrong. His achievements create open debate on alternative religious belief systems - allowing people to question their own inherent faith and to explore others. His greatest achievement is not so much 'Magick', but the fact that all spiritual belief should have the same overall goal, that of an infinite broader view of our own reality in life and death, and to attempt to achieve this without the hindrance of conditioned guilt/sin/love/hate/ego - as well as social/religious taboo's. However, Crowley did attempt to increase his own wealth via magical practice and this failed. Crowley also wanted (at one point) to 'renounce his role as Magus' and stated he ..'could not go on with his work' due to lack of belief in his own powers, although he continued with his practice's for some time after this. But his ground breaking work in detailing Buddhism/Yoga (featured in this book) and creating open interest, and greater tolerance for, alternative belief systems is valid. The book, like most of his output, is a product of its time. He did attempt to ritualise his beliefs and it shares the same instructional 'symbolic' style of the bible. A better read for those who have an interest in his work would be 'Do what thou wilt - A Life of Aleister Crowley' by Lawrence Sutin, also sold by Amazon. Its well written and researched - providing an objective view of his life and work.
Rating: 
Summary: Bill Breeze (H. Beta) does it again
Review: How many of these "new edtions" are needed? this book had been reviesed so many times that the Aeon of Maat will be here before there is a "final" copy. My suggestion is to go find a copy of the originals from a used bookstore and use those. You will pay less, and think/learn just as much... not to mention the fact that you will not be giving money to those who are trying to live off of Crowley's work without doing any of their own (material work as well as spiritual work...)
Rating: 
Summary: Great!! But not for a very beginner.
Review: I read this book, it's very very good and intellectual. Crowley's defined Magick as in scientific way. First part contained a good outline for the study of Yoga and meditation. Although it is far from a practical guide, his eight lectures on Yoga will do it. The second part contained a very advance detailed information on the magical tools, again, this part does not contain any basics for it. The third part is the theory and practice of magick, although Crowley seems to want it to cover all the basics ground of magick, it is not so. The reader which does not has background knowledge on Qabalah may be very confuse of the whole section and. Crowley refers back to 777 and many others of his liber. To study this part clearly mean that one must has 777 and other of libers but with the help of many sources on the internet, it become quite easy (except 777). Many techniques in this section are not for a first day beginner. The fourth part is about his book of laws, which I think the most perfect detailed and could be understood not so difficult by the beginners (which probably don't feel comfortable with the magical names and stuff). Anyhow, for a non-beginners this is great ! The information given in this book is far better than any book I've read. With a good big English Dictionary (he used a lot of funny <technical> words) and probably a small Latin dictionary. 777, Three books of Occult philosophy by Agrippa (I recommend Donald Tyson version because of its correction to Freake edition, 1651 AD). This combination will lead you beyond your imagination. For beginners, this book is probably the one you would want to have it in your library, if you are a serious student then you will use this book sooner or later anyway. If you think this book will give you a good start on Magick, probably it won't because of its great complexity. Try "Modern Magick" it's very good for beginners.
Rating: 
Summary: it's the best
Review: if some chilean read this is because is interested in themaster and i like to get in touch with you write me to: thot11@mixmail.com
Rating:
Summary: The most comprehensive Crowley text available
Review: If you are interested in the writings of Crowley, you will find that there are dozens of his books available. Though this one is rather pricey, it can save you a lot of money in the long-run -- most of his most essential magickal material is included here. This is a beautiful edition, with copious footnotes and endnotes, illustrations, and newly-done diagrams, and a great deal of biographical information as well.
Rating:
Summary: The Book of Magick
Review: If you want a laugh a minute, read some earlier reviews. First, let us deal with the alternate reality some people seem to live in--Crowley did not die impoverished. Netherwood is certainly modest, but it is a reputable boarding house and is quite a nice place. It is not squalor or filth as some failed creatures seem to think. Secondly, ad hominem arguments in general are things we thinking human beings call "illogical". Crowley spent his money foolishly--how does it follow then that Crowley can't be spiritually advanced? It simply does not. Yes, he was bad with money--a lot of people are, but what does that have to do with their religious beliefs? Thirdly, yes where was Crowley's guardian angel? He died a disreputable old man, indeed. More or less forgotten, yes. So what? If I am to transcend the world the herd lives in and is ruled by, am I supposed to want the herd to admire me? Or am I going to want them to think I'm "too weird", or "insane"? Think about it. Now that we've gotten back to planet Earth, we can safely deal with the book itself. Still seeped in the tradition of initiated blinds, this is a book which can sometimes be confusing. Sometimes a blind is perfectly obvious, such as the infamous chapter on blood sacrifice. Sometimes, they are not. This is an invaluable book, however, for modern occultists of whatever stripe. You ought to discount much of his writing on yoga, however, since there are some instructions which (due to the lack of medical knowledge at the time) are potentially dangerous--do not use the positions he mentions. Do not do pranayama one nostril at a time. The first two parts of the book largely apply to general Magick, and are very good instructions. For Thelemites, an added bonus is the fourth and final part of the book, a survey on Crowley's claims about what led up to the dictation of The Book of the Law, in addition to a copy of the Book itself and some early comments on it. Crowley's legendary "Naples Arrangement" of Qabalah makes it's first appearance here, along with a few particularly well-drawn diagrams of the Tree of Life, significantly better than the tiny ones in The Book of Thoth. A highly recommended book which you can find whole or in parts, occultists need this in your library. Dismiss the fools and read, and discover on your own.
Rating:
Summary: A LAUGH A MINUTE!
Review: Like all of the other drivel churned out by A. Crowley and co., this work stands as a sterling example of just how complex sucker bait can get. It contains everything you need to know for wasting lots of time and spending your life chasing things that don't exist. Take "Big Al" himself (Crowley)for example; a misfit and latent homosexual who died impoverished - what an example for people to follow today! Yet who knows how many tens of thousands of sky-pie nitwits do? Crowley couldn't run his own life any better than a bad circus act or random street happening, but here's a whole book he offers to the public on how to not only view and interperate what "reality" is, but also how to proceed through it! Like the title of this post says, its a "laugh a minute" for anyone who can see through the hopeless camouflage that Thelemites are stuck to in regard to their illustrious late leader. Go ahead and read all of Crowley's mind warping, goofy baloney. Spend your money. Try it out. See where it gets you....hopefully not nearly as bad off as it did Crowley himself. One might ask where this great magickian's "Guardian Angel" was to have let him reach old age as a penniless laughing stock! Well, I guess as with all occultists, the Thelemites subscribe to the saying of "Don't bother me with the facts!" when it comes to seeing Crowley for what he was and his work for what it was as well.....preposterous rubbish to say the least.
Rating:
Summary: Indispensible for Thelemic magicians
Review: One cannot approach Thelemic magick without this book. I have editions of the various parts (Book 4, Magick in Theory and Practice) and they just don't work independently the way the whole volume does. It pulls all of the A.'.A.'. curriculum together and presents it, along with Crowley's examples and commentary, in such a way that a solo practioner might actually be able to make sense of it.
But it is not for beginners, or for light reading. If you want light reading about Thelemic magick, try Lon DuQuette or Gerald del Campo. Then come back to this book.
And if you don't accept the concept of "magick" don't bother with it.
Rating:
Summary: Not my primary interest but well worth the reading.
Review: Ritual magick (I hate that spelling, but there we are) is not really my main area of interest as such, witchcraft is, but being influenced as it is by ritual magick, it's nice to go the source & expand ones practice. This book is one of my favourites on the subject. I must admit to finding him hard to follow, but then writing isn't really his strong point, re-reading sentences that are badly formed & finding that whole paragraphs could easily be condensed down into a few words is unfortunately something to be put up with. However, it is more than worth it, for putting aside the writing style & areas of misinformation (probably intentional!) it contains some useful material. I particularly enjoyed the material on meditation, well exceeding most of the trite tat that is published on it in the mass market. I also enjoyed discovering the origins of modern Wicca in this book, and being able to further my understanding of the tools used in the Craft. There are also interesting parallels in the process of ritual which just goes to show the extent of Gardnetrs borrowings & adaptations! Most of the material I shall never use, ceremonial magic, as I have said, is not something I'm particularly devoted to, but I consider the time I spent on it well worth it for the enrichment it has given my own path.
Rating:
Summary: Not my primary interest but well worth the reading.
Review: Ritual magick (I hate that spelling, but there we are) is not really my main area of interest as such, witchcraft is, but being influenced as it is by ritual magick, it's nice to go the source & expand ones practice. This book is one of my favourites on the subject. I must admit to finding him hard to follow, but then writing isn't really his strong point, re-reading sentences that are badly formed & finding that whole paragraphs could easily be condensed down into a few words is unfortunately something to be put up with. However, it is more than worth it, for putting aside the writing style & areas of misinformation (probably intentional!) it contains some useful material. I particularly enjoyed the material on meditation, well exceeding most of the trite tat that is published on it in the mass market. I also enjoyed discovering the origins of modern Wicca in this book, and being able to further my understanding of the tools used in the Craft. There are also interesting parallels in the process of ritual which just goes to show the extent of Gardnetrs borrowings & adaptations! Most of the material I shall never use, ceremonial magic, as I have said, is not something I'm particularly devoted to, but I consider the time I spent on it well worth it for the enrichment it has given my own path.
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