The Heretics Handbook, By Jonathan Black (Review)
Image is from Amazon.com
I have been posting a lot of non-Rap stuff lately, because I have bought this new Fire Tablet and Im determined to get reading and writing until I get working on a book!
Hip Hop is my passion, its great fun but its not going to pay the bills for me, especially living in Ireland, so Ive decided to put my writing skills to good use by becoming an Author. Ill be doing a lot more book reviews and articles from now on, but Ill never stop the Hip Hop! Haha
Heres my new Review of the book I bought the Tablet just to read.
The Heretics Handbook By Jonathan Black.
With such a name, the book caught my attention. I often feel bad for all the Heretics of the past who were unjustly burnt at the stake for thinking outside of the norm, by the Church in Medieval times. It inspires a rebellious attitude in me to explore their works, and do what they couldn’t. The modern day Heretics are ostracised too, in all fields. Its almost heretical to suggest any out-there theories these days. But Jonathan Black strives to throw a spanner in the works of this belief. His attitude is very much commendable, he ventures where other authors wouldn’t.
I first read Blacks intriguing book ‘The Secret History of the World’ back when I was going through a psychotic episode, when I first got diagnosed with Schizophrenia. I was convinced of the Reality of the Spiritual things he talked about in that book as if it were fact, because I was ill. What he said in the book really turned a psychotic episode into a spiritual experience for me. It really made an impression on me and to this day its a book I still come back to for a look through every once in a while.
I got his second book after I got well, ‘The Sacred History’. I was a bit more disappointed in this one though since it spoke of content involving ‘how Angels and Mystics’ shaped our world history. But I was left reading fairy stories and folk tales. While it was still inspirational, I had envisioned more along the lines of deep esoteric mysteries.
It was exciting when I found this new E-Book of his, ‘The Heretics Handbook’, which supposedly was more along the lines of the Spiritual Mysticism side of things. I envisioned tales of Oracles predicting fates and Adepts of Mystery Schools explaining their teachings, you know, the good stuff.
I went and bought an Amazon Fire Tablet and a Kindle Unlimited Subscription just to read this E-Book. I thoroughly enjoyed the read too. Having a new Tablet, and all the joys that go with treating yourself to something new, were pleasantly accompanied by that same sense of wonder and intrigue I felt when I first read Blacks work.
What I expected wasn’t what I got though. There were Ancient Mystery School Teachings, but they were more like a set of spiritual principles and laws that one should follow. I was kind of disappointed. I had expected the same wonder as I had felt with Blacks first book. There was a lack of illustrations, too. It was also a short book, maybe 150 pages or so , it didn’t take me long to read.
To me, it could’ve been much longer and more detailed. To put it in perspective, I found an E-Magazine called the Rosicrucian Digest afterward, and it was much longer and full of ancient knowledge. It was also completely free, and there are many issues on the kindle store. This felt like the bare bones of a project Black could’ve expanded on , into another epic wealth of inspiration like his first work.
I really enjoy books like this though, and its a shame that there isn’t much authors exploring the topic of Esoteric Knowledge. But if your into that kind of thing, Jonathan Black is the author to read. His ‘Secret History of the World’ book is definitely his best, and this E-Book is a good introduction to his world of Magic and Alchemy. I suggest you pick it up first.
Thanks for reading,
You can check out this article and more on my Wordpress Blog below!
Peace!
Willy G
It sucks to have an author that you like so much only to read their second books then to be let down.
I really dig that you're into ancient mystery school teachings... Have you read much into Gnosticism?? I've literally spent the last 20 minutes trying to find this book that had just a profound impact on me as a person... I can fucking find it on google though, but that's because I literally can't remember the name >.<... I remember the picture on the front, but damnnnitt... Was like 12 years ago, almost 13... Sooo yea, time has a way of making you forget shit.
Wellll fuck... Went and tried to find it again, oh well.. If I remember it, I'll send it your way, you might enjoy it.
Digging the new content man!
haha, yeah man I know you want them to continue to stay epic!
Do you remember what exactly the book was about? Maybe I could help you find it
Yoooo I found it!!
https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Lost-Goddess-Teachings-Christians/dp/1400045940
This book came at a time of serious transformation in my life... Between this book and The Gnostic bible, my entire idea world was transformed.
Obviously I went much deeper and expanded my knowledge, but there two books REALLLLY sent me off an entire different path in life... One that I'm definitely not upset about.
Nice man, this would be right up my alley too. I actually think Ive seen their other book mentioned there, the Jesus Mysteries , in my local library, and I mightve read it! If not Im definitely picking it up next time Im in there!
I hope this book is on Kindle Unlimited, that would rule man. Ive always wanted to read the Gnostic Bible too, Ive read a bit of the Mary Magdelene gospel i think it was, and some of the Gospel of Thomas I think, are they on it?
Im really interested in this type of stuff too, would love to hear any other recommendations youd have too man
Yea they are there... I love the Gnostic bible because it also gives you a bit of history before each of the books in it. I use to read a lot more than I do now, I really should start reading more... It would probably help my rapping a bit too!
Have you ever heard of vivekananda?? His stuff is amazing..
Oh, also dude, go check out my new song "Breathless 2", it's that none stop multi-syllable flow that you went crazy over last time!
Nice man i think i might just buy that Gnostic Bible soon, I havent heard of vivekananda at all man is he onyoutube?
wil check that song now bro
It was 12 quid for the gnostic bible man, but I figured out a way round it, found a pdf and got an adobe reader app free on the fire tablet too now Im able to read the whole thing free!
I already like the sound of Gnostics taking knowledge from wherever they can find it and not relying on religious officials to mediate at all!
Ill let you know how I get on with it