Perdurabo (Revised and Expanded Edition)

The Life of Aleister Crowley

By: Richard Kaczynski

Narrated by: Alan Irving

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Based on Richard Kaczynski’s twenty years of research, and including previously unpublished biographical details, Perdurabo paints a memorable portrait of the man who inspired the counterculture and influenced generations of artists, punks, wiccans,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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2012 Richard Kaczynski (P)2024 North Atlantic Books

Critic reviews

“From a historical perspective, Perdurabo is the finest work on Crowley to date."–Peter J. Morris, writer and blogger

“Richard Kaczynski uses a novelist’s touch to make this exceptionally well-researched book read like an adventure story. For the serious student of Ceremonial magick or anyone curious about the truth behind all those weird stories, it’s essential reading.”–NewWitch magazine

“At long last, the world has a balanced and readable biography that reflects how magick shaped every facet of Aleister Crowley’s life. And Dr. Kaczynski doesn’t dismiss magick as humbug or mumbo-jumbo but validates it as a legitimate method of spiritual development meriting serious study.”–Christopher S. Hyatt, PhD, author of Undoing Yourself

93 93/93

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

This book on Aleister Crowley is exceptionally well done, and the narrator does a fantastic job bringing the material to life. If you truly want to understand Crowley, this is the book to read. It’s the best way to get to know who he really was behind the facade and mystery, revealing the actual man beneath it all. Absolutely fantastic. I love this book—both the physical version and the audiobook are excellent, with the narrator doing wonderful justice to the content. Highly recommend. Thank you, and keep up the great work. A++

Love is the law, love under will.

FS

Pronunciation

I liked the information. I disliked the misreading and mispronunciation by the narrator. This book leaves one to reach their own conclusions about AC.

An interesting and detailed biography

This biography of Aleister Crowley is richly detailed. The complex arc of Crowley’s life is traced, starting with his ancestral roots with reformers and religious thinkers, to his childhood with his neurotic mother, who named him the Great Beast, and the many adventures of his globe-spanning life. The narration is crisp and carries the reader into the world of Thelema.

Completely badass

There was nothing I disliked. Well written, perfect narration, Aleister Crowley. I mean, the name speaks for itself. In the ears of those not well versed in the narrative of his life, his name conjures negative images and fabrication that is widely believed. He was no saint but he was indeed a consecrated holy man. This book helps clear a little of that up. Enjoy. 93