Aleister Crowley and the Temptation of PoliticsAleister Crowley (1875-1947) is one of the most famous and significant authors in the history of western esotericism. Crowley has been long ignored by scholars of religion whilst the stories of magical and sexual practice which circulate about him continue to attract popular interest. "Aleister Crowley and the Temptation of Politics" looks at the man behind the myth - by setting him firmly within the politics of his time - and the development of his ideas through his extensive and extraordinarily varied writings. Crowley was a rationalist, sympathetic to the values of the Enlightenment, but also a romantic and a reactionary. His search for an alternative way to express his religious feelings led him to elaborate his own vision of social and political change. Crowley's complex politics led to his involvement with many key individuals, organisations and groups of his day - the secret service of various countries, the German Nazi party, Russian political activists, journalists and politicians of various persuasions, as well as other writers - both in Europe and America. "Aleister Crowley and the Temptation of Politics" presents a life of ideas, an examination of a man shaped by and shaping the politics of his times. |
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1st edn activities Aleister Crowley appears aspects authors Berlin biography Birven Bouchet Britain British Cefalù Chapter circles connection conspiracy theories Crowley«s Crowley«s diary Crowleyan disciple documents Driberg Duranty edition England English esoteric esotericism fact Fernando Pessoa Freemasonry Fuller Gerald Gerald Yorke German Germer Golden Dawn Hamilton Hitler ibid ideas important influence initiation interesting Introvigne Isherwood Israel Regardie Italian J. F. C. Fuller journal Julius Evola Kaczynski Knight later Leal Ledit letter Liber Aleph Lisbon London magic Masters Mathers mentioned movement mystical Nazi Nazism occult occultist Orage Order Ordo Templi Orientis Paris Pasi period person poem police political Portugal Press probably published reference Regardie regime relationship religion René Guénon Reuss RISS ritual role secret service significant Soviet Spence spiritual Sutin Symonds Symonds«s Thelema Theodor Reuss Theosophical Trythall Viereck Warburg Institute Webb World writes YC/NS YC/OS Yeats Yorke