The Nine

Sinister Forces #1

by Peter Levenda, Jim Hougan (Foreword)

The roots of coincidence and conspiracy in American politics, crime, and culture are examined in this book, exposing new connections between religion, political conspiracy, and occultism. Readers are taken from ancient American civilization and the mysterious mound builder culture to the Salem witch trials, the birth of Mormonism during a ritual of ceremonial magic by Joseph Smith, Jr., and Operations Paperclip and Bluebird. Not a work of speculative history, this exposé is founded on primary source material and historical documents. Fascinating details are revealed, including the bizarre world of "wandering bishops" who appear throughout the Kennedy assassinations; a CIA mind control program run amok in the United States and Canada; a famous American spiritual leader who had ties to Lee Harvey Oswald in the weeks and months leading up to the assassination of President Kennedy; and the "Manson secret."

Genres: Conspiracy Theories, History, Nonfiction, Occult, Politics, Crime, Magick

399 pages, Hardcover

First published June 21, 2005

About the author

Author who focuses primarily on occult history. He is best known for his book Unholy Alliance, which is about Esoteric Hitlerism and Nazi occultism, and is believed to be the author of the Simon Necronomicon, albeit without much evidence.

He was the president of the international division of Ortronics, Inc., a telecommunications company based in Asia.

He appeared in the TNT documentary Faces of Evil as an expert on Nazi history with special regard to occult and esoteric practices. He has also appeared on the History Channel special Nazi Prophecies. Levenda lives in Miami, Florida.

Reviews

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of a three part series where the author reveals the conspiracies and crimes that have slithered through American history since its earliest days. From the real crimes behind the Salem witch trials, through the assassinations of JFK, RFK and the Manson family killings. There are secret societies, mysterious bishops of questionable churches, the CIA, and a a myriad of other secret and clandestine organizations.

This book has extensive footnotes and appendices. The plots that the author sets out to untangle are so convoluted it is like looking at one of the Cloister's tapestries and trying to follow a single thread. It is mental origami one fold opens a new path that comes back around. If you ever wondered how Haverford, PA related to the JFK assassination you should read this book. If you think there aren't monsters or magic in America this book makes it more real than American Gods

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Levenda attempts to assemble (or disassemble, depending on your point of view) a vast web of interlocking coincidences, or more accurately, synchronicities in American history going back to ancient times. I hesitate to label what Levenda writes about as "conspiracy theories" for a couple of reasons. If readers are to consider this a book about "conspiracy theories" they need to know that (and I'm speaking as someone who has read voraciously on all sides of that slippery genre for twenty years) it is NOT a Conspiracy 101 book. One may consider it Advanced Conspiracy Theory for graduate students, not for "conspiracy hobbyists".

Anyone who approaches this book expecting everything to be tied up neatly at the end is going to be disappointed. It is the first of three volumes, and I don't have any idea if Levenda will (or can) come to a succinct conclusion for his thesis in three volumes, or how he's going to get there. I'm dying to find out, though. Even if he doesn't accomplish that feat the wealth of weird, fascinating, and sometimes, downright stunning information makes for a fantastic read for anyone with more than a passing interest in odd history, the occult, etc.

Also included in this first volume (and I feel they are going to pop up again in the other volumes) are Nazi scientists in America after World War II (Operation PAPERCLIP), Nazis in general, JLM Laboratories founder Jack Parsons, his sort-of friend/accomplice and founder of Scientology L. Ron Hubbard, Aleister Crowley, H.P. Lovecraft, the JFK assassination, the CIA, "wandering bishops" (I can't possibly explain this in a blurb), ancient mounds in North America, MK ULTRA, BLUEBIRD, ARTICHOKE, and mind control, LSD, and Charles Manson. Manson seems to be a major thread on the web that runs through these three volumes, but I'm not sure why...yet. Fair warning: these topics barely scratch the surface of all the things Levenda covers in Sinister Forces: The Nine.

As far fetched as that all seems, Levenda pulls primarily from what are considered scholarly sources (end-notes for each chapter), utilizes his vast knowledge and research of the subject while mixing in his sardonic wit and skepticism which distances himself from conspiracy hobbyists who latch on to any theory no matter how ridiculous. He even admits some of the information he covers is astoundingly bizarre and the connections he makes seem far-fetched at a glance, but upon further inspection one realizes they are FACTUAL assertions.

Levenda is no kooky tin foil hat guy with only a youtube channel and a self published book. His research is deep and his insights are unique, fascinating, stimulating, challenging, and above all else highly readable. If you have patience, a strong interest in the subject matter, and the ability to sequester yourself away from distractions and just let yourself slide down the Rabbit Hole you will be rewarded tremendously on multiple levels.

[Mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sinister Forces was recommended to me by someone I enjoy exchanging ideas and opinions with.

I found the theories in this book to be often fascinating and sometimes farfetched. I respectfully did not always agree with the author's opinions or conclusions. I had expected to feel this way. I will say that I have learned quite a bit and enjoyed following Levenda's thought process. Definitely an interesting read. I'll give the second book a shot, for sure.

History has always been overwritten and distorted. Levenda has done some excellent research. He also does a great job proving the occult has influenced so much more than we're aware of. Finding hidden history is always exciting.
I felt that Levenda reached too far quite often and it's a shame he seems to disregard scientific facts. I do think the author was on the right track for some actually plausible conspiracies. I think he is very intelligent and definitely knows how to think for himself. I've never enjoyed reading any conspiracy theory before.
I do not believe in any supernatural forces, human psychic ability, and I don't think we've made contact with aliens yet. I've read quite a bit about MK Ultra and certain other topics found in this book and it's generally accurate. I did find some information that was incorrect or misleading, however. I strongly recommend doing your own research on whatever really intrigued you.

Forgive the quality of this review. I'm at work and wanted to write something up quickly. I didn't get a chance to proofread or word this as well as I wanted to. I don't often review anything. I prefer to discuss my opinion during conversation rather than try to convince anyone to buy or not buy something.

[Robert Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Christian, I do not engage in occult activities. However, I do believe that we should keep ourselves informed about occult activities that have infiltrated and corrupted our political process.

This is the first volume in a three-volume work in which Peter Levenda continues his investigation of occult involvement in politics begun in Unholy Alliance: A History of Nazi Involvement With the Occult.

As with Levenda's other books, this one is well researched, and if I were rating the book on research alone, I would give it five stars. Unfortunately, Levenda is somewhat long-winded, and these books, like his others, could be better organized. Indeed, this three-volume set could be shortened into a powerful and more effective single volume.

If you have ever suspected that there is more to American politics than meets the eye, this book (and volumes 2 and 3) will certainly make you think about what is really happening behind the scenes.

[J. Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rambling, unfocused, and sloppy...but fun as hell. Levenda tries to tie things together that just don't stick, but I had such a good time reading all this occult stuff that I didn't care.

Recommended!

[Owlseyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This is a book about evil"

"There is an ancient America that lurks beneath the threshold of our collective, corn-fed consciousnesses."
Peter Levenda

"...surrounded by enemies and spies catching and perverting every word that falls from my lips or flows from my pen, and inventing where facts fail them.” -Thomas Jefferson’s reflections on Washington, D.C. in a letter to his daughter Martha.

"Some things never change, dad!"
(A daughter wrote to her father, quoting Thomas Jefferson, on October the 31st, 2019)



"The Greatest Witch Hunt In American History!”
(The father of the aforementioned daughter, writing about Impeachment. His.)

There's something weird* about the present American political process, I mean, the ongoing Impeachment process. Levenda's book may surely prepare your mind to discern the old Sinister traces, in the present political reality.

(...)

Now, back to the book. Columbus trips to America, native American Indians, the Salem Witch Trials, Joseph Smith, Charles Mason (and Scientology), psychological warfare ops, CIA, UFOs, JFK's assassination. These are some of the elements Levenda elaborates on; they're topics sufficient enough to pick up the Sinister force thread.

On the last element (JFK) it's curious to get to know about the role of the American Orthodox Catholic Church (in New York); especially the part I got to know (not from this book) that Levenda himself was very acquainted with its elements ( I mean, "bishops").

(in the NYer**)

Regarding the (sinister?) Impeachment process, I'll be back on it. Maybe in January.

UPDATE
Very true it was fairer for the Salem Witch Trials.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...

UPDATE
(Just imagine when number reaches 505010)

The New York Times
20th April 2025

*True, Levenda approaches, in his book, the work of Howard Phillips Lovecraft.
**https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/20...

[Tom Jessen · Rating 2 out of 5]

You know the old saying of you can't judge a book by its cover? Well, this one you can. This book came up in my recommendations. I scanned the reviews and saw overwhelming praise. I thought it would be a safe bet. I was worried about the amateurish design of the cover...screaming of something self-published without any real checks and balances to its ideas and assertions. It's unfortunate that ideas that challenge the popular narrative always end up well entrenched in the loony conspiracy camp. It's largely because the writers don't know how to convey their material in a serious way. Levenda unfortunately is completely schizophrenic in establishing a consistent voice. He places himself in the story, which is unfortunate. This move doesn't lend itself to legitimacy, rather comes off as opinion. There seems to be some legitimate attempts to transmit hard facts, but it is disappointingly sprinkled with flip, sarcastic comments and personal anecdotes. The effect is that there has been no editorial oversight regarding the material; again resulting in one questioning the real credibility and seriousness of his assertions. This is not to say that the CONTENT is not interesting. But he does a disservice by placing himself in a cheesy Sam Spade kind of role embedded in the essays. "Scholarly" would hardly be the adjective or description I would use. The connections while interesting are tenuous at best. A line like: "Hughes. Nixon. Vietnam. Manson. Hollywood" is almost embarrassing in its trying to make connections, but is overwhelmingly heavy in mere assumptions without hard facts. It's largely because it is poorly written that the content suffers. Under a more deft and rigorous hand this material could have risen out of the "Disappointing" bin. If you are looking for some serious scholarship in the Occult influence in America don't bother with this.

[Aaron Singleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of a trilogy everyone with an interest in American history should read. It is painstakingly researched with every source documented, just as you would expect in any scholarly work. Peter Levenda has written the most in-depth books about the secret history of the US, the history hidden from the average citizen, ever released. Good thing Levenda himslef isn't an average citizen.

After a great introduction by Norman Mailer, this series takes a look at many of the events that have shaped our nation, events that permeated TV and radio, newspapers, and our collective unconscious. He takes a look at the people involved in these events, the people behind the events. Then he begins to connect the dots.

And damn, what connections!

CIA, Aleister Crowley, MI6, Charles Manson, The Roswell Incident, The Kennedy assassination(s), the Nazis, Project Paperclip, MK Ultra, Sirhan Sirhan, Marilyn Monroe, Jack Parsons, the Agape Lodge, L. Ron Hubbard, and so on.

After reading this series, you will no longer have the view of history, and of the present, that you had before reading it. It is brilliant and mind-blowing. Well done Mr. Levenda.

PS- I think a great companion to this series is a book called "Weird Scenes in the Canyon" by Dave McGowan. It explores the whole hippie culture and its music, revealing many facts and strange coincidences about some of the USA's greatest and most respected musicians, actors, etc. McGowan shows the hidden hand of government behind the hippies and their drug-taking, war-protesting ways. An absolute must-read.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so well supported by documentation the author references throughout each section that it is very unsettling and at the very least thought provoking. It has definitely made me see american/global politics and esoteric philosophy/magic/witchcraft going hand in hand. One of my favorite reads in the past 5 years or so. Also, it's not that you need to believe the author all the time...it's so well written that it comes off as plausible sci-fi/fantasy.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sinister Forces: A Grimoire of American Political Witchcraft, Peter Levenda, TrineDay, 2005


This book presents a very different view of American history, based on years of original research, not fantasy or speculation.

Some say that mankind came to North America by walking across the Bering Straits, when it was frozen, and heading south. Others say that mankind traveled across the Pacific from China or Polynesia, and across the Atlantic from Europe and the Mediterranean. If the Bering Straits point of view is "correct," then some questions come to mind. How could an Egyptian mummy, tested in 1992, test positive for cocaine and tobacco, both supposedly indigenous to America? How could the sweet potato be known throughout the Pacific Basin as early as 400 AD, when it too is supposedly indigenous to America? There are documented reports of stones found all over America, written in languages that pre-date Native Americans.

Think of "wandering bishops" as the religious equivalent of "diploma mills," schools that give diplomas to anyone. If a person can prove that their consecration as a bishop of the American Orthodox Catholic Church, or the Old Roman Catholic Church, for instance, is valid, then any rituals they perform will have just as much weight as that of a Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox bishop. These "churches" have few, if any, parishioners; what they have a lot of are American intelligence agents.

Many other questions come to mind while reading this book. Why are there no Native American tribes indigenous to the state of West Virginia? Did you know that "Kentucky" means "dark and bloody place," and that the original name for Kentucky was going to be Transylvania? Was Sirhan Sirhan the world’s first programmed assassin? Did you know that there is a section of Appalachia that is home to more than the normal number of serial killers, a sort of Bermuda Triangle for serial killers?

I really enjoyed this book (first of a series). Anyone who likes hidden history, or things that will not be found in regular history books, should read this book. It does a fine job of showing that American history has a pretty strong occult streak running through it. Very highly recommended.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm very confused but still interested.

My statement above should say it all. Levenda weaves an intoxicating tale that will satisfy the conspiracy theorist who thinks there are facts out "there" to be learned and therefore, all of this should be absorbed both as fiction and fantasy alike. If you are fascinated by the occult and intrigued by strange coincidences of dates, surnames, religious lineage, Big Brother as the CIA, drug trials utilized by nefarious folk in the quest for mind control, and the like, BUT YET still regard yourself as an intellectual that recognizes proof via excessive footnotes and time lines, then this book is for you! My eyes are bleeding from the poor Kindle formatting, yet I still have books two and three to squint through while I try to keep this onslaught of over-documented "history" straight in my rattled brain. I'm off to scour the Interwebs for proof that Peter Levenda is my spiritual brother or a obsessive-compulsive librarian of parapsychological folklore!

[?0?0?0 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part one in a trilogy that I've almost completed. As is the case with every Levenda book, he tells you his opinion, gives you the facts and the documentation, and every once in awhile gets so fascinated and sidetracked with certain topics or people, but "Sinister Forces" is never boring, even when you disagree. If you're looking for a book that goes from before the creation of America, to the Son of Sam killings, to mind control, to the CIA's earlier younger crazier self and all the fun they revelled in, to the Manson murders, to wandering bishops with intelligence links, to three infamous assassinations, and on and on. Even when Leveneda reaches to realms and theories that may make you go, "okay then, pass me some of what you've been smoking", he admits it's just a theory on his part and never does he press his ideologies onto the reader, as this is nothing more than a fun romp through the underground of American History.

[Valiant Thor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lavenda's "Sinister Forces Trilogy" is quickly becoming a must-read among those who pay attention. Lavenda's breadth and depth of knowledge is formidable, and he appears to have a gift for weaving together disparate threads into a unique and somewhat disconcerting tapestry.

[Siegfried · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanna have your brain melted with a super heavy info dump? Observe how many, MANY, people are involved with weird stuff?
Wanna have your brain exploded?
Read. This. Book.

[Chandler Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over a year later, I've finally finished it. One of the most fascinating books I've ever read, though I wouldn't give it a blanket recommendation. I might write a review in the future if I can find time.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.

[Cynthia Rennolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read all three of the Sinister Forces book and found them fascinating. I couldn't even begin to tell you what they are all about as the pure amount of data (cross referenced, documented and dated) is just too unwieldy to even wrap ones head around. Basic premise is that nothing is as it seems, everything is connected and the man behind the curtain is definately pulling the strings. These books are not for the faint of heart as one feels as though one has stepped into John Nash's world as so beautifully portrayed in the pages of "A Beautiful Mind"", rendered in 3 dimensionality through the superb performanes of Russell Rowe, Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly.

But back to the books at hand, these three books are interesting nd thought provoking. Are the conclusions and connections drawn by the author true? Well, that is subject to each persons own belief system, but it's an interesting ride into the many conundrums this author finds a way to connect and shape into a historically connected narrative.

[Sharon Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

excelent book. first of three. need to read all three to get the whole concept. maybe surprise what "sinister forces" really are, not what you probably think. he backs up what he writes with clear, reliable facts from publish papers, books, congreesional hearings, as from own experience. he knows first hand some of the charachters he names in the book. it is not just a conspiricy book. but if you love this country as I do you will want to read this trilogy of real history not tought in school and after you read you will know why. the other two are: A Warm Gun: GrimoireofAmericanPoliticalwitchtchcraft. the third is Sinister Forces-The Manson Secret. it is educational, frightening, enlightening, things every American should know!

[Hugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book. It covers a lot of ground. That's a good thing as you have to pull back from the micro details sometimes to get the "macro" or big picture.

The problem is that when you do that there are bound to be things mentioned, alluded to, or referenced as "fact" that may better be put in the "some say X, Y, or Z" catagory.

Still VERY worth reading.

This book remained very interesting all the way to the end.

[Paul Baack · Rating 4 out of 5]

As frightening as this book is, it's always setting the table for the next book, which gets specifically into issues of specific presidents, cult leaders, captains of industry, and occult-centric Intelligence Community activities. Meticulously researched and presented in a very low-key, unsensationalistic manner, this isn't conspiracy theory as much as it is a dry recitation of known facts. Which are bad enough…

[Brashen · Rating 3 out of 5]

huh ... Ok, well, extremely interesting read ... All over the board though, I barely recognized the end of the book compared to the beginning. Very informative, however, you can't take all the information at face value, further research suggested before or after reading. I think some of the connections made are stretches but reading about all the coincidences is interesting. I walked out of this book much more informed but not convinced.

[Steve Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fascinating and dark journey, that uniquely deals with the confluence of government black budget programs, CIA mind control/MK Ultra, and the occult phenomenon. The author does a very convincing job of drawing connections between things you wouldn't think they exist, but they most certainly do. HP Lovecraft, Charles Manson, Scientology, CIA, devil worshipping cults, LA film industry, 60's counter culture, LSD, Kennedy assassination.

[Robert W Jernigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical account of political witchcraft in the U.S

Author Peter Levenda does an excellent job of showing that there are sinister forces at work in our world and specifically in America. He traces the seemingly coincidental fact that some of the same people keep showing up in different historical events. It is very informative and disturbing at times.

[Dkolacinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun romp through American History, conspiracy theory, occultism, HP and company (no, not the computer manufacturer), wandering bishops, the CIA and on and on and on. Interesting? yes. True? perhaps. Real? I suppose it depends on what universe you're in. Only the Old Ones know for sure.

[Kreso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introduction into the trilogy.
Google e.g. easily continues connection from colonel Corso, to his son, to Burt Rutan to Paul Allen to Edgar Mitchell.

[Sharon Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read, I recommend this highly. There are three volumes in this series I recommend them all. Kind of scary to think about though. We need to read this especially with elections coming up.

[Robert W Jernigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow the trail of sinister forces throughout American History.

[Albert Venczel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Booked him for a guest on the conspiracy show.
One of the heavyweights.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

These 3 books need to be studied

[Darin Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like most conspiracy books offers some great insight but nothing concrete. Interesting none the less.