The Secret History of the Hell-Fire Clubs: From Rabelais and John Dee to Anton Lavey and Timothy Leary

by Geoffrey Ashe

Book Overview

An exploration of the origins, influences, and legacy of the scandalous Hell-Fire Clubs of the 18th century and beyond

- Reveals the club's origins in the work of Rabelais and the magical practices of John Dee and how their motto, "Do What You Will," deeply influenced Aleister Crowley

- Explores the cross-fertilization of liberty and libertinage within these clubs that influenced both U.S. and French Revolutions

- Examines the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591433487
• ISBN13: 9781591433484
• Release Date: October 2019
• Publisher: Bear & Company
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

and now, for something completely different...

In Rabelais' work Gargantua (which sadly, I have not yet read, but just ordered after reading this) , there is a section in which the author imagines a Utopian "abbey" named Theleme; the only rule of living there is "Do what you will." Ashe looks at this rule, and asks the question of what happened when people have tried living by this motto, both in reality and in fiction. Furthermore, he examines the question of libertinism being the same as liberty -- and the result is a look through a slice of history. I will tell you at the outset that this is not a book for the average reader, and it's not a titillating tell-all about the much misconstrued and notorious Hellfire Clubs. Ashe takes the theme of Theleme through the book, looking into various individuals & organizations who have practiced the "do what you will" theme. Taking a road that leads from Rabelais, he examines John Dee and his assistant Edward Kelley, then moves to different erotic literature characters (and authors) of the 18th century, then the various Hell-fire Clubs, spending quite a bit of time with the one organized by Sir Francis Dashwood. His examination takes him into the world of politics, since most the highest-ranking members of this group were also members of government. Then it's on to Gothic literature, the Marquis de Sade, Lord Byron, Aleister Crowley, Anton LaVey (founder of the Church of Satan) and a wee bit about the "family" of Charles Manson. Very well done, but it is important to realize that this is a book of history and as such, not something that a reader wants to choose lightly. It takes a while to get through it, but it is well worth it. I'd recommend it to anyone seriously interested in the topic, and anyone who is looking for a resource on the subject.

marvelous history of devitry

This book used to be titled "Do What you will" -though the Hellfire Clubs are the real subject matter. The saying, "do what you will" was a more tenuous connecting theme. There are some small updates to the original text (which I have also read), but it is again largely a survey of the wonderful antics of the early British, American (Ben Franklin was an associate of Satanist types at least) and Irish gentleman-Satanists and sandwich-inventors. I wanted a copy of my own and couldn't resist revisiting these agreeable rakes and their adventures and antics. These clubs were dedicated to drinking, wenching, political intrigue, blasphemy, and various other forms of debauchery. Many such clubs have existed among upper class englishmen, and still do; these were the most colorful, and the note of blasphemy had a strong political/religious component which would not be present today. One of these days I have to try out their recipe for chicken ("... of venus") and "scaltheen" (whiskey with butter and brimstone).

This Is The best hell Fire Club Book !

Ave Everyone, I have to say if your going to research all the Hell fire clubs this is the book for you. It sticks to facts about the clubs and it's members not like other books on the clubs that used mostly fiction. Geoffrey Ashe is a great writer and I am glad this book is still around. I recommend it to the people within the church I am in. So if you want to know what people do and some still do to have the most sexual delightful time then by all means buy this book. Always In The Dark, High Priest/Advisor Gino of the Temples Of Satan

Witty and informative

Much to my surprise, this is a wonderful and witty history of not only Western anti-morality philosophies but also of British politics in the mid-nineteenth century. Ashe is a master at understatement, dry humor, and clear writing, making this a great and important read if you want to understand the underpinnings of British upper class society and politics in the nineteenth century (as well as some of the nasty pasttimes of some of that era's peers). I was pleasantly surprised that the book did not dwell on salacious details of the libertine "clubs" discussed, but gave just enough description for the reader to get the gist of what was going on and why. Ashe also deserves praise for making quite plain which supposed "facts" are (or were) rumors, disinformation, lies, or, unfortunately, truth. Clearly, Ashe spent much time and effort researching this subject matter; it plainly shows. In the end, this book is a well-balanced and scholarly dip into the pool of both Rabelaisian philosophy and its influences, as well as British history and politics. What makes this book a gem is that it is never dry or too erudite -- it is compulsively readable. I found myself enjoying it more and more as I read further.

An Excellent History

This was an excellent history of the Hell-Fire Club Phenomenon in 18th Century England, as it tries very successfully, I think, to Contextualize the Clubs and their Members, within the various Political and Cultural developments of that Age.. It has some marvelous imagery and details, which bring smiles on about every other page. Take for instance an iced Cake that resembles a building which is then knocked down with miniature cannonballs by young ladies.. this was just some ancillary detail in the book about a symbolic event at a Hanoverian Prince's party.. A Lot of this book made me think of Peter Greenaway's very hard to find _Baby of Macon_.. As for a lack of "Moral Guidance".. Happily, Its really a "history", not some half-baked diatribe, or confected subjective "grotesque", like the author of the above reveiw wouldve wanted.. EEch!.. Very interesting and fun book.. and not at all some metaphysical curiosisty.. This is a small tightly researched little gem, at an affordable price.. And a good introduction to the more interesting underbelly of UK history.. I am now looking for a copy of _Strange Wycombe_ next! Enjoy!!! Oh, But one detraction.. It couldve used some nice color plates, like of the portraits of the Club-members, and pictures of like Edmund Curll, and the various places and people of the book.. Other than that... Great Stuff..