Perdurabo, Revised and Expanded Edition cover art

Perdurabo, Revised and Expanded Edition

The Life of Aleister Crowley

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Perdurabo, Revised and Expanded Edition

By: Richard Kaczynski
Narrated by: Alan Irving
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About this listen

 A rigorously researched biography of the founder of modern magick, as well as a study of the occult, sexuality, Eastern religion, and more

The name “Aleister Crowley” instantly conjures visions of diabolic ceremonies and orgiastic indulgences—and while the sardonic Crowley would perhaps be the last to challenge such a view, he was also much more than “the Beast,” as this authoritative biography shows.

Perdurabo—entitled after the magical name Crowley chose when inducted into the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn—traces Crowley’s remarkable journey from his birth as the only son of a wealthy lay preacher to his death in a boarding house as the world’s foremost authority on magick. Along the way, he rebels against his conservative religious upbringing; befriends famous artists, writers, and philosophers (and becomes a poet himself); is attacked for his practice of “the black arts”; and teaches that science and magick can work together. While seeking to spread his infamous philosophy of, “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law,” Crowley becomes one of the most notorious figures of his day.

Based on Richard Kaczynski’s twenty years of research, and including previously unpublished biographical details, Perdurabo paints a memorable portrait of the man who inspired the counterculture and influenced generations of artists, punks, wiccans, and other denizens of the demimonde. Philosophers Professionals & Academics Religious Studies Magic Witchcraft Witty Magic Users

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All stars
Most relevant
The content is excellent in terms of detail. Otherwise the author threw any attempt at scepticism or a sane evaluation of Crowley’s claims out the window. A true believer. Which, if you’re not, leads to strain from constant eye-rolling. Also the narrator repeatedly mispronounces even basic English words which is incredibly grating.

Credulous and with a poor narrator

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if like you me you are curious about AC but couldn't find an in-road to get you going then this book will be the one you were hoping to find.. go on treat yourself

complete crowley

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Got really hooked on this audiobook and flew through it's massive runtime. What an extraordinary life AC lived, chronicled in a reasonably balanced way by RK, who shows reverence for the master but isn't afraid to expose his many human flaws. Really helped to place the myriad of Crowley books and life events in a meaningful order. Narration was great and kept me engaged for 30 hours. Thanks RK.

Essential for those interested in Aleister Crowley

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I loved everything about this book. It felt very well researched, and although I did get lost in names and dates a couple of times, overall I feel like I have watched a very well directed and written documentary, because of how vivid and detailed RK made the life and universe of Aleister Crowley. And this is considering that I am really not into non fiction, or biographies as a genre. My advice is to stick with it - the start is a tiny bit clunky, but oh so worth it. Also fantastic as a chronology of AC's writing.

The good the bad and the deeply human

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As someone who has been curious about Crowley for a long time, but never looked further into him, this book was eye opening - for better or worse. I learned many new things about this man, but overall the book didn't seem much different from any rock stars biography. Which is to say, Crowley seemed to be VERY full of himself and there is a lot of sex and drugs, debauchery and hedonism, and many turbulent relationships, and out of that came a few good things worthy of praise and preservation.
Even though I enjoyed the book, the length is daunting - for good reason. I think at least a fourth if it could be excluded.
As to narration...it wasn't bad, but it was far from good. It easily became monotonous and grey and the narrator mispronounced a lot of words, which I found both annoying and funny.

So...overall? This sure is a comprehensive book about The Beast, one that is sure to both tickle your curiosity and strip you of illusions. So if you are ready to embark on such a journey, I recommend it. But if you are looking for something shorter and more concise about Crowley, I would urge you to look for something else.

Eye opening

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