Necronomicon Files

by Harms, Daniel

• ISBN13: 9781578632695
• ISBN10: 1578632692
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-07-01
• Publisher: Weiser

Summary

Necronomicon -- a mere glance at its pages sends its readers shrieking into the night, their soul seared for all eternity! At least that's what people want you to believe ... Thank goodness authors Daniel Harms and John Wisdom Gonce III set the record straight in this scholarly yet accessible history of the dreaded tome. The Necronomicon Files is an incredibly comprehensive guide to the Necronomicon that covers all aspects, legends, and factual history surrounding this nefarious book. From a complete history of the book as it evolved in the Cthulhu mythos started by Lovecraft and continued by others, to contemporary editions now available to the public. From appearances and references in movies and other media, to the actual magical concepts behind the fictional and published Necronomicon variants. Much more than just a dry, factual account, Harms's and Gonce's deep knowledge in their respective fields of interest bring the history and continuing influence of the Necronomicon alive with wit and verve. Humorous and intriguing, this compassionate examination of the Necronomicon is a thorough repudiation of the myths surrounding it, yet preserves much of the romance and fascination associated with the legend. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Daniel Harms is an anthropologist who studies magic in modern society John Wisdom Gonce III is a Neo-Pagan and practicing occultist who occasionally works with law enforcement on occult-related crimes and also counsels victims of destructive cults

Table of Contents

Preface: The Necronomicon-Shadow in the Mind (Donald Tyson)	ix
Introduction (Daniel Harms)	xv
Initiation (John Wisdom Gonce III)	xx
Acknowledgments (Daniel Harms and John Wisdom Gonce III)	xxiv
Part I: THE NECRONOMICON AND LITERATURE
Chapter 1: H.P. Lovecraft and the Necronomicon (Daniel Harms)	3	(26)
Chapter 2: "Many a Quaint and Curious Volume ... ": The Necronomicon Made Flesh (Daniel Harms)	29	(32)
Chapter 3: Evaluating Necronomicon Rumors (Daniel Harms)	61	(10)
Part II: THE NECRONOMICON AND OCCULTISM
Chapter 4: The Evolution of Sorcery: A Brief History of Modern Magick (John Wisdom Gonce III)	71	(14)
Chapter 5: Lovecraftian Magick-Sources and Heirs (John Wisdom Gonce III)	85	(42)
Chapter 6: A Plague of Necronomicons (John Wisdom Gonce III)	127	(46)
Chapter 7: Simon, Slater, and the Gang: True Origins of the Necronomicon (John Wisdom Gonce III)	173	(24)
Chapter 8: The Chaos of Confusion (John Wisdom Gonce III)	197	(18)
Chapter 9: The Necronomicon and Psychic Attack (John Wisdom Gonce III)	215	(10)
Part III: THE NECRONOMICON AND ENTERTAINMENT
Chapter 10: Unspeakable Cuts: The Necronomicon on Film (John Wisdom Gonce III)	225	(56)
Chapter 11: Call of the Cathode Ray Tube: The Necronomicon on Television (John Wisdom Gonce III)	281	(16)
Conclusion (Daniel Harms)	297	(6)
Appendix: History of the Necronomicon (H. P. Lovecraft)	303	(4)
Endnotes	307