I just started my read of this book. Originally, I went to purchase "Propaganda" by Edward bernays(which I highly recomend) but noticed the biography and switched choices quickly lol. Anyway, I was just curious to hear what everyone elses thoughts were on this book.

Imagine sitting down with Anton LaVey and he begins to open up to you. He begins telling you how his life was as a youth, how certain concepts of Satanism was formulated into his young mind and as he matured how they applied even more so in his life. Imagine speaking to a man who had such vast knowledge that he was capable of building a long lasting religion upon it. Imagine that you are given a rare opportunity to pick his brain about the human animal and even shares secrets with you about magic.

I found myself in awe after this book. It is filled with romance, adventure, and action. It is filled with things that go bump in the night that are ever so mysterious. I really cannot express enough how much I love this book. You have a rare find and I do hope you enjoy it!

Its very funny because I've called that bookstore plenty of times, and they could never get it lol. So the one time I go in to get one book, it finds its way to the shelf. Even after reading the first couple chapters I was drawn deeper and deeper into it. It also gives even more justice to how brilliant of a man Anton LaVey was.

I too have been fairly lucky. I misplaced more than 1 copy in my time but every time I walked into a used bookstore I was fortunate enough to find it. Interesting enough they were almost always in a different section.

Is there any other books you may recomend?

Since you enjoy that book so much you should try and get the one called "The Church of Satan".

I could recommend you A LOT of books as Satanism is a worldly philosophy so thus it endorses worldly knowledge. However I will share with you a couple of posts that have helped me substantially. These posts are well written and the author is a member of the Church of Satan Priesthood so he is an authority upon the subject.

1. HOW NOT TO BE AN IDIOT.

Pretty much expresses the importance of getting the fundamentals under your belt. Once you do that a nice follow up by the same author is linked in my signature.

2. Deep Satanism

An expansion on that essay is found in Magister Sass's book ESSAYS IN SATANISM Vol. 1.

It is an emphasis again on reading the fundamentals but not just stopping there and expanding into the bibliography of The Satanic Witch.

Also The reading list for fiction/nonfiction on the Church of Satan website.

Studying Satanism is a life long project. Be thankful we have access to the internet because before it the members didn't have as easy access to such things.

Best of luck!

You can also try the book "The Devil's Avenger" by Burton Wolfe. It was the first biography done on Anton LaVey and came out in 1974.

You can find that on Amazon. It's going for $146.95. And that's the cheapest one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0515034711/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

One of my personal favorites is LaVey's collection of essays called "Satan Speaks." Also, "The Satanic Scriptures," by Magus Gilmore, is essential reading, and I always go back to it now and again.

Thank you all for the suggestions and thoughts on the book. I also read through the bibliography in TSW and I was blown away by how many books on psychology, anthropology that were included. I wrote a few down and have began to order them. Thing is, The Church of Satan book is really hard to find. I found a copy on amazon but for nearly 400$. Ill purchase it if need be, but is there any where else you all can suggest me look?

Sorry to hear that books like "The Devil's Avenger" and "The Church of Satan" are so hard to find now and are so expensive! Another Satanist told me they saw "The Devils Avenger" on Ebay recently so you can maybe give that a shot.

Here's some good news in regards to The Church of Satan from www.churchofsatan.com

The Church of Satan by Blanche Barton. A detailed history of the Church, with photos, lists of Satanic films, music, and books is now being revised. It is officially sold out. Some scalpers are selling copies on eBay for huge amounts of money. We suggest that you wait for the revised, updated, expanded edition which will be announced on this web site as soon as pre-orders are being taken.

So keep your eyes on www.churchofsatan.com news page and you may be able to order the revised edition sooner or later!

Yes I remember reading that a new version of "The Church of Satan" book would come out someday. I have the original version, but I may buy the newer version when it comes out anyway.

I first saw that post about 5 or 6 years ago when I first found out I was a Satanist. I really hope it comes out soon, but I'm not holding my breath because the 'higher ups' have their hands full with their own lives, and they're doing much expanding on the new version and yada yada yada. In short, I'm not holding my breath for it to be released tomorrow.

I recently purchased a copy of the same book from Amazon. I am still reading it too. I'll let you know my thoughts on the book once I finish reading it. But, so far so good. Like another member said, it's like sitting down and talking with Doktor LaVey himself.

And for that, this can help: http://compleatwitch.blogspot.com/

I do still have a copy of The Devil's Avenger. Put it on the market before, for whatever reason I haven't sold it. I would be willing to consider offers if someone really wants the book and will appreciate it. Send me a private message if you want to.

The strengths of Secret Life of a Satanist are immediately apparent. It was written later and therefore covers more ground on not only Anton LaVey but the history of the Church of Satan in general. The writing is solid, it's fun, it's just all around a good read.

I would say the way in which The Devil's Avenger stands out is in the literary descriptions of Anton LaVey and the rituals he constructed. Rituals that aren't, as far as I'm aware, in any other literature to such a degree. Very fun rituals, ones that aim to infuriate some and make others laugh.

So I found myself more educated by "The Secret Life of a Satanist" and more entertained by "The Devil's Avenger." Both have strengths, neither are weak.