It should be noted that Crowley was one of the first 'Westerners' to bring the teachings of Yoga and Buddhism to the UK & USA during a time of strict formal religious discipline. He was the first to spend serious time and money investigating the mysteries of the mind and the subconscious, using drugs (then legal) and meditation, which was unheard of at that time (1900's). Just as 'The Beatles' (Crowley appears on the front cover of Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearst Club Band) and many other 'Society changing' bands experimented with mind altering drugs and alternative reality in the 1960's - he also wrote about his experiences with painful truth and applied his findings to the way we perceive existence.

Such people are rarely accepted by their social group. Anyone who breaks with convention (and he broke many) will be reviled and attract a certain amount of infamy. To disregard him entirely is wrong. To worship him is also wrong. His achievements create open debate on alternative religious belief systems - allowing people to question their own inherent faith and to explore others.

His greatest achievement is not so much 'Magick', but the fact that all spiritual belief should have the same overall goal, that of an infinite broader view of our own reality in life and death, and to attempt to achieve this without the hindrance of conditioned guilt/sin/love/hate/ego - as well as social/religious taboo's.

However, Crowley did attempt to increase his own wealth via magical practice and this failed. Crowley also wanted (at one point) to 'renounce his role as Magus' and stated he ..'could not go on with his work' due to lack of belief in his own powers, although he continued with his practice's for some time after this. But his ground breaking work in detailing Buddhism/Yoga (featured in this book) and creating open interest, and greater tolerance for, alternative belief systems is valid.

The book, like most of his output, is a product of its time. He did attempt to ritualise his beliefs and it shares the same instructional 'symbolic' style of the bible. A better read for those who have an interest in his work would be 'Do what thou wilt - A Life of Aleister Crowley' by Lawrence Sutin, also sold by Amazon. Its well written and researched - providing an objective view of his life and work.