“The outlines of Crowley’s life are well known, but Richard Kaczynski’s monumental Perdurabo —substantially revised and expanded from its first publication in 2002—fills in endless details.”
—Phil Baker, The Times Literary Supplement
“In this revised edition of Perdurabo , Richard Kaczynski takes readers through the Beast’s amazing life and work in a sympathetic and compelling fashion. It is an effective combination of erudition and accessibility that will remain the standard biography of Crowley for years to come.”
—Henrik Bogdan, PhD, author of Western Esotericism and Rituals of Initiation
“This is not only the most carefully researched, detailed, and informative biography of Crowley yet written but also a remarkable insight into the nature of magic itself.”
—Ronald Hutton, author of The Triumph of the Moon and Blood and Mistletoe: The History of the Druids in Britain
“If you’re a collector of Crowley biographies, this is an essential addition to your collection. If you can only afford one Crowley biography, this is the one to get.”
—Sabazius, X°, National Grand Master, Ordo Templi Orientis, USA
“The blurb on the front of the dust jacket [of the new edition] says: The definitive biography of the founder of modern magick . Having read the first edition of Perdurabo , and every other biography of this controversial figure, I readily agree.”
—Oz Fritz, music producer and engineer
“This new edition is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the Great Beast.”
—Clive Harper, author of Notes towards a Bibliography of Austin Osman Spare
“Richard Kaczynski’s Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley is a meticulously researched biography of a person whose reputation has been distorted by rumors and misinformation. Crowley will probably remain a controversial figure for many, but the readers of Perdurabo will be in a position to assess his life and work based on evidence, and Kaczynski should be congratulated for providing it in abundance.”
—Gordan Djurdjevic, sessional lecturer, Simon Fraser University
“Perdurabo is the result of many years of painstaking research. Dr. Kaczynski has been able to uncover a host of previously unexplored sources that cast new light on Aleister Crowley’s life and works. It is an achievement that deserves praise, and I am sure the book will be an indispensable reference for scholars and students for many years to come.”
—Marco Pasi, assistant professor at the Center for the History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents, University of Amsterdam, and author of Aleister Crowley and the Temptation of Politics
Praise for the first edition:
“Several recently-published biographies of Crowley do justice, for the most part, to his life and works. But their offerings now stand like skeletal frames of unfinished houses next to Kaczynski’s magnificently constructed edifice. Every brick is set in place with the mortar of meticulous research and insight. Thank you, Dr. Kaczynski. I’ve waited thirty-five years for this.”
—Lon Milo DuQuette, author of The Magick of Aleister Crowley
“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
“Dr. Kaczynski brings two unique qualifications to this massive biography of the prophet and master of magick Aleister Crowley: he is both a university professor who moves comfortably in research institutions (and the masses of data contained therein) and a practicing adept of [Crowley’s] Thelemic magical system. This is a magnificent book and is highly recommended.”
—James Wasserman, author of The Militia of Heaven and Art and Symbols of the Occult .
“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.… Perdurabo is bound to become the definitive biography of Aleister Crowley.”
—NewWitch magazine