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The Book of Secrets: Esoteric Societies and Holy Orders, Luminaries and Seers, Symbols and Rituals, and the Key Concepts of Occult Sciences Through the Ages and Around the World
From the strange symbols on a onedollar bill to the secret signs of the Knights Templar and Freemasons, invisible societies, and the world of magic and alchemy, The Book of Secrets is a comprehensive introduction to the world of secret and esoteric knowledge throughout history. In the mystery tradition, "secrets" are levels of consciousness that are hidden from our normal mental state, the acquisition of a new point of view. The Book of Secrets delves into the world of the "occult," the initiated secret traditions of the fascinating unseen spiritual its symbols, secret societies, and seers. You'll
From video games such as "Limbo" and "Castlevania" to TV shows and movies to comic book heroes, or Dan Brown's novels, secret symbols and societies fascinate. Pineda provides a comprehensive introduction to secret knowledge for readers who want to know more.
From video games such as "Limbo" and "Castlevania" to TV shows and movies to comic book heroes, or Dan Brown's novels, secret symbols and societies fascinate. Pineda provides a comprehensive introduction to secret knowledge for readers who want to know more.
- GenresNonfictionOccult
166 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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February 12, 2026And so, it begins. Enough information to research deeper and further.
October 1, 2013
The Book of Secrets by author Daniel Pineda is a reference manual for anyone who wants a casual glimpse at a bunch of bizarre stuff.
I was quite bummed with this "book". First of all, I thought it had been written by this Daniel Pineda. I was devastated to find out that the mixed martial artist was not also a dabbler of the occult on the side. Shame. And secondly this is not really a book, so to speak. It has a few hundred brief references to all of the things the cover says, but nothing substantial whatsoever. It's more like a dark-nerd's hand guide to becoming a darker nerd.
I should mention my interest in this material is of a casual level, and I find it interesting and read it for entertainment, but I don't have any kind of deep care about it. It's more like, "Hey what should I do to kill a couple of hours? Oh, I know! I'll read about Esoteric Societies and Holy Orders, Luminaries and Seers, Symbols and Rituals, and the Key Concepts of Occult Sciences Through the Ages and Around the World!"
I was quite bummed with this "book". First of all, I thought it had been written by this Daniel Pineda. I was devastated to find out that the mixed martial artist was not also a dabbler of the occult on the side. Shame. And secondly this is not really a book, so to speak. It has a few hundred brief references to all of the things the cover says, but nothing substantial whatsoever. It's more like a dark-nerd's hand guide to becoming a darker nerd.
I should mention my interest in this material is of a casual level, and I find it interesting and read it for entertainment, but I don't have any kind of deep care about it. It's more like, "Hey what should I do to kill a couple of hours? Oh, I know! I'll read about Esoteric Societies and Holy Orders, Luminaries and Seers, Symbols and Rituals, and the Key Concepts of Occult Sciences Through the Ages and Around the World!"
October 27, 2022
I enjoyed the book, although I cannot say it was an easy and fun read. It’s one of those books I started reading over a year ago and had to put down several times for further research or simply digestion.
cont. : https://harpocratesden.wordpress.com/...
cont. : https://harpocratesden.wordpress.com/...
April 7, 2019
Lots of interesting topics, but not a lot of detail or insight. Kind of just keys to go and read up on elsewhere.
January 12, 2017
I am in awe of how absurd this book is. I found it in a Barnes & Noble, read it, cover to cover, in under an hour, and couldn't believe that I wasted my time doing so. It might be the least valuable book I have ever read on the subject of esotericism...and I have read many.
The impression I got was that the author simply put together a few (and I do mean 'few') basic and commonly-known tidbits of esoteric ideas just to have an excuse to publish a book. In fact, I was so amazed that this crap of a book is actually being sold that I had to research its author more to see if I could justify its existence. Unsurprisingly, I discovered that his backing comes entirely from the 'secret' society to which he belongs, the O.T.O. In fact, all of the high ratings & reviews here come exclusively from Mr. Pineda's fellow O.T.O. members and friends. The worst example is the bloviating review from fellow O.T.O. member Jim Wasserman who works for Weiser Books (the publisher) and founded the Tehuti Lodge of the O.T.O. His adoration for Pineda's piece of work (if you can even call it that) is both dishonest and insincere and a disgraceful attempt to dupe potential customers into buying this piece of crap, surely just to support his fellow Thelemite (Pineda)...SHAME ON YOU, JAMES WASSERMAN...you have lost all of my respect!
As a big fan of Aleister Crowley's work, I am very disappointed to see how easy it is for O.T.O. members to outright lie for the sake of supporting their brethren. So much for having an independent, critical-thinking point of view. You have all either revealed your very simple-minded, under-developed intellects or that you don't have the decency to offer honest criticism when it is deserved...disgraceful!
The only reason this book deserves even 1 star is that it could be a good starter...for children! You will learn far more in an hour on Wikipedia!
The impression I got was that the author simply put together a few (and I do mean 'few') basic and commonly-known tidbits of esoteric ideas just to have an excuse to publish a book. In fact, I was so amazed that this crap of a book is actually being sold that I had to research its author more to see if I could justify its existence. Unsurprisingly, I discovered that his backing comes entirely from the 'secret' society to which he belongs, the O.T.O. In fact, all of the high ratings & reviews here come exclusively from Mr. Pineda's fellow O.T.O. members and friends. The worst example is the bloviating review from fellow O.T.O. member Jim Wasserman who works for Weiser Books (the publisher) and founded the Tehuti Lodge of the O.T.O. His adoration for Pineda's piece of work (if you can even call it that) is both dishonest and insincere and a disgraceful attempt to dupe potential customers into buying this piece of crap, surely just to support his fellow Thelemite (Pineda)...SHAME ON YOU, JAMES WASSERMAN...you have lost all of my respect!
As a big fan of Aleister Crowley's work, I am very disappointed to see how easy it is for O.T.O. members to outright lie for the sake of supporting their brethren. So much for having an independent, critical-thinking point of view. You have all either revealed your very simple-minded, under-developed intellects or that you don't have the decency to offer honest criticism when it is deserved...disgraceful!
The only reason this book deserves even 1 star is that it could be a good starter...for children! You will learn far more in an hour on Wikipedia!
April 28, 2025
I can't say I enjoyed, but I can't say I didn't either...
I would not recommend to nearly anybody, but at times I enjoyed skimming it. It was a quick read. It included a brief overview of a lot of different topics, but it lacked any depth or references. It felt too surface level to be a scholarly or educational reference piece, but its lack of any frills, discussion, or introspection left much to be desired in the opposite direction.
I would not recommend to nearly anybody, but at times I enjoyed skimming it. It was a quick read. It included a brief overview of a lot of different topics, but it lacked any depth or references. It felt too surface level to be a scholarly or educational reference piece, but its lack of any frills, discussion, or introspection left much to be desired in the opposite direction.
July 8, 2011
My review is here http://thepaganmomblog.com/reviews/th...
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews