Politics and the Occult

The Left, the Right, and the Radically Unseen

By: Gary Lachman

Narrated by: Russell Newton

Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

The gritty business of politics is not something we usually associate with the occult. But esoteric beliefs have influenced the destiny of nations since the time of ancient Egypt and China, when decisions of state were based on portents and astrology, to today, when presidents and prime ministers privately consult self-proclaimed seers. Politics and the Occult offers a lively history of this enduring phenomenon. Author and cultural pundit Gary Lachman provocatively questions whether the separation of church and state so dear to modern political philosophy should be maintained. A few of his fascinating topics include the fate of the Knights Templar and the medieval Gnostic Cathars, the occult roots of America and the French Revolution in Freemasonry, Gurdjieff and the swastika, Soviet interest in UFOs, the CIA and LSD, the Age of Aquarius, the millenarian politics that inform the struggle with Islamic terrorism, fundamentalism, and more.

©2008 Quest Books / Theosophical Publishing House (P)2018 SpokenTome.media

Good overview of the modern western occult history

This fleshed out several interesting areas and opinions related to occultism that I was unaware of. I feel that this is an intermediary work in this subject, not because it is difficult to read, but because I think it serves best to connect preexisting bodies of knowledge together and to provide a rarer view of the context surrounding important figures and events.

I appreciate that the author admits his own center-slightly-right political location in the book. One cost of this forthrightness is my suspicion of his bias, decision-making and selection of history. But one benefit is my ease and trust that he is at least making his best case for his purpose.

But in the end I still feel that this was more an overview of the connection between dubious and dangerous Utopianisms and Occultism, whereas when I originally chose the book I wished for a more comprehensive model of how politics in general might be related to occultism in general. Nevertheless, this book does well what it actually sets out to do and was enjoyable!

The greatest mystery: There is no secret at all.

The occult politics is truly revealing
As above, so below
People interested in politics will find in this book a mystical drive
People interested in the occult will find a political outlet for the mysteries

Listen to U2's "Mysterious ways" right now 😉 as the Pope meets with the Ayatollah..

Excellent material, but the narration is lacking

Lachman is easily one of the best authors writing on the modern occult stage, but his work is hampered by many, many mispronunciations by the narrator. I can understand being unfamiliar with obscure spiritual terminology, but this man repeatedly blows words you would hear in a seventh grade history class and doesn't appear to know how to make a name that ends with the letter S possessive! The material is good enough that it outweighs the flaws of the mush-mouthed narration, but do keep in mind that it IS a hurdle that you may or may not overcome. Pay close attention to the audio sample before you buy.

Fabulous, especially the ominous closing chapters

Over many years, I kept putting the physical book down (it is fascinating, but other activities somehow always beckoned) so thought I'd make it my first foray into Lachman's work in audio format. Glad I did! His work is spectacular and I highly recommend ALL of his books. He is erudite, clear eyed, dryly witty and endlessly fascinating. Fans of Colin Wilson's work will be delighted (Lachman wrote a top notch bio about Wilson).

The performance was good, although Newton's pronunciation of French words (and other languages) seemed a little...daffy. Jean + 'gene" . Milieu = MAIL-LOO? Hmm. Thule = Tool-AY. Anyway, it is amusing (THINK FAST! Say "schnitzel " three times, GO!) and probably screwed up my own inner narration of foreign words skills! I'd totally take another trip with Newton though.

A great narrative

A wonderfully detailed deep dive into how the occult shaped, and was shaped by, the political realities of the great men and women explored in this book. However, the author's doomsaying in the last chapter, warning of a radical right wing uprising on the horizon couldn't have been more tone deaf or more wrong. Considering it was published in 2008, 12 years ago, and how things have developed since then I'd say Mr. Lachman didn't have as strong a grasp on the cyclical flow of events as he thought. This is made maddeningly clear with the ease in which he dismissed the threat of leftist agitation, which has now manifested the form of burning cities, attempted assassinations of sitting congressmen, and the ever present threat of political violence by the mob that we see constantly today. Perhaps a new book condemning leftist radicalization is forthcoming?

fascinating history

historical survey of occult movements and ideology that doesn't descend into extraordinary claims that often accompany the general topic.

Great book, terrible narration

I love Gary Lachman but woof, this narrator mispronounces an unbelievable amount of things that could’ve been easily researched or edited.

Suspend judgment

When listening to American narrators, one has to be patient with the pronunciation of foreign words or names. But when the narrator grossly mispronounces English names time and time again, the matter becomes rather serious. The names of two known writers are mispronounced throughout. Leigh and Baigent are such two. One is pronounced lay the other as bi-gent. I will not go into French or other words. If you can stomach this anomaly, then the book is mildly interesting.