Occult scholars explore how H. P. Lovecraft’s fictional book of magic became a cultural phenomenon and real-life legend in this revised and expanded volume. What if a book existed that revealed the answers to all of life’s mysteries? For those who believe in it, The Necronomicon is exactly that—an eighth-century occult text of immense power. In. fact, The Necronomicon is a creation of science fiction writer H. P. Lovecraft, who referred to the work in a number of stories and gave weight to its legend by inventing its own elaborate history. In The Necronomicon Files two occult authorities explore all aspects of The Necronomicon, from its first appearance in Lovecraft’s fiction to its ongoing pervasive appearance in cult and occult circles. The authors show how Lovecraft’s literary circle added to the book’s legend by referring to it in their own writing. As people became convinced of the book’s existence, references to it in literature and film continue to grow. This revised and expanded edition also examines the lengths people have undergone to find the Necronomicon, and the cottage industry that has arisen in response to the continuing demand for a book that does not exist. The Necronomicon Files illuminates the transformations of a modern myth, exposing a literary hoax while celebrating the romance of Necronomicon lore.

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.

The dark history of the Necronomicon––one of the world's most feared and fascinating books––told by the one man who saw it all...and lived to tell the tale. The Necronomicon is one of the most controversial books ever published. The master of Gothic suspense, H.P. Lovecraft, wrote about a mystical and dreaded grimoire, known as the Necronomicon––an ancient text written by an Arab that, if it were to fall into the wrong hands, could have disastrous consequences. But no one thought the Necronomicon had any basis in the world outside of Lovecraft's fiction. Until... Simon was a young man drawn to the mysterious world of the occult through his association with several Eastern Orthodox religions and his friendship with the owner of an occult bookstore in Brooklyn. In 1972 he stumbled upon a stolen text in a friend's apartment, unaware that what he held in his hands was the real Necronomicon––something long thought to be a creation of Lovecraft's brilliant mind and deft pen. After an arduous translation, done in the utmost secrecy (since the tome was in fact stolen), Simon and his close circle of friends unveiled the now–infamous grimoire to a clamoring public. In Dead Names, Simon tells the amazing true story that surrounds the Necronomicon. From the main players' humble beginnings in the pageantry–filled and secret world of Eastern Orthodox religion, to the accidental discovery of the Necronomicon, to the Son of Sam murders, the JFK assassination , the brilliant William S. Burroughs, and the eventual suspicious deaths of almost everyone involved with the grimoire, this book is an enthralling account of a book steeped in legend, lies, and murder.

This is the third edition of Daniel Harms' popular and extensive encyclopedia of the Cthulhu Mythos. Updated with more fiction listings and recent material, this unique book spans the years of H.P. Lovecraft's influence in culture, entertainment and fiction. The voluminous entries make The Cthulhu Mythos Encyclopedia invaluable for anyone knowledgeable about the Cthulhu Mythos and necessary for those longing to learn about the Cosmic Horrors from past and present decades. Also includes appendix about the history of H.P. Lovecraft's infamous Necronomicon.

H. P. Lovecraft's compelling character, Abdul Alhazred, is brought to life in this epic tale detailing the mad sorcerer's tragic history and magical adventures. Alhazred tells his own life story, beginning with himself as a poor, handsome boy in Yemen who attracts the attention of the king for his divine skill in poetry. As the court poet, young Abdul lives a luxurious life at the palace, where he studies necromancy and magic. But falling in love with the king's daughter leads to a foolish tryst, which is ultimately discovered. As punishment, Abdul is tortured, brutally mutilated, and cast into the desert, known as the Empty Space. Battling insanity, he joins a tribe of ghouls and learns forbidden secrets from a stranger called Nyarlathotep. Thus begins his downward spiral into wickedness. Renamed Alhazred, he escapes the desert and embarks on a quest to restore his body and reunite with his true love. Traveling across the ancient world and fantastic realms, he is hounded by foes and tormented by the demands of his dark lord.

A mysterious document that many people have taken an interest in within the last few decades. Whether this book is real or fictional remains unclear since the first verifiable proofs of the book came from the fictional writing of H.P. Lovecraft. The official position of the publisher is that the book is a work of fiction but many others may have different perspectives on the truth of this document. If it is real, it is a dangerous piece of literature that should be treated with due respect and fear.

In the past 31 years, there has been a lot of ink—actual and virtual—spilled on the subject of the Necronomicon. Some have derided it as a clumsy hoax; others have praised it as a powerful grimoire. As the decades have passed, more information has come to light both on the book's origins and discovery, and on the information contained within its pages. The Necronomicon has been found to contain formula for spiritual trans-formation, consistent with some of the most ancient mystical processes in the world, processes that were not public knowledge when the book was first published, processes that involve communion with the stars. In spite of all the controversy, the first edition sold out before it was published. And it has never been out of print since then. This year, the original designer of the 1977 edition and the original editor have joined forces to present a new, deluxe hardcover edition of the most feared, most reviled, and most desired occult book on the planet.