What amazed me, until I realized that this book was written in the same way as all other "Holy Books," was the fact that it is, in fact, a "Holy Book." This book was written in the same fashion as "The Book of Mormon" or any other "Holy Book."

Aliester Crowley served as The Prophet, and the book was written Through him (even if he was not exactly happy to be the Writer of the Work).

"The Law is For All" has awakened me to the validity of certain religions that I had never really considered as such, previously. I think this book is a good example of why we should ALL be respectful of each-other's religions and "Holy Books," because they are ALL written in the exact same fashion. Regardless of whether or not you agree with "The Book of The Law," one cannot deny it is a "Holy Book" to many people.


The Law is for Sum, not All   April 25, 2003
 13 out of 22 found this review helpful

Crowley is perhaps giving an aphoristic title to his work in a similar manner as McLuhan and Leary has done in more recent times. An evocative slogan that can spin many ideas and interpretations. The question then being, "Who is All?" Also, "What is the Law?" And if you get that far, then you might ask, "Who's Law?" One might answer very literally and find that not All people agree with Crowley's thinking. Also, if this is Crowley's own Laws, then they are for him and not me. Another might answer in an equally esoteric manner and say "You" to all questions.

This book is a commentary by Crowley himself on his own worshipped book "Liber Legis", better known as "The Book of the Law." For those that study Crowley with seriousness, intensity and repetitiously will find "The Book of the Law" in almost every text bearing Crowley's name to the point of exhaustion. While "The Book of the Law" is an important book in uncovering many of Crowley's meanings and points of view, it would appear he was creating a fellowship around something that should have been more personal.

"The Law is For All", however, offers select insight into "The Book of the Law." The rest of it is work for the reader. It is not something in plain English for one to say "ohhhh!" after they are done reading it. It is still kept in the traditional kabbalistic coded framework for those that have already done their homework or is willing to put forth the work.

"The Law is For All" is not an esssential guide to understanding "The Book of the Law", yet, can aid towards understanding Crowley's take on his experience, but I would believe that interpretation does not stop at Crowley's word. For me performing the rituals offered in other books has given me the greatest insight to "The Book of the Law" while "The Law is For All" only gives partial intellectual clues.

"The Law is For All" then is really not for "All", at least in the literal sense. I believe he was saying "All" meaning everyone should adhere to what was written in "The Book of the Law", however, I also believe he was referring to the "All" as in the "You" or, rather, "All of You." The "Law" is what is written on your heart. This book is for those that are interested in Crowley more than in Magick, in my opinion.


Oh for the Old Days!   August 14, 2005
 10 out of 11 found this review helpful

This book is one of the better commentaries on the Book of the Law. Unfortunately it lacks much of the material found in the long out of print Magical and Philosophical Commenetaries on the Book of the Law ed Symonds and Grant 1975 and this new edition lacks the charm of the previous publication by New Falcon Press edited by Dr Israel Regardie. Unfortunately this is to be expected as we have fewer people who actually knew Crowley around to edit his books for us. However the new attempt by Mr Gary Breeze (frater ha) is a good jobbing introduction for the beginner.


Divine, Human, and Beast   December 30, 1999
 9 out of 10 found this review helpful

_The Law is for All_ offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the mind of Aleister Crowley, revealing "the Great Beast" at his best -- and worst. To date it is the only "authorized" commentary upon Liber AL vel Legis (the Book of the Law), the core "sacred text" of Thelema reputed to have been communicated to Crowley in 1904 in Cairo, Egypt by an entity called Aiwass. Here we see Crowley, man and magickian, offering a quasi-ecclesiastical (and often disarmingly personal) commentary upon the very "sacred text" he was "chosen" to "deliver."

_The Law is for All_ displays an amazing juxtaposition of the divine, human, and beastly trains of thought all contending for the title of the definition of Aleister Crowley. Glimpses of his reputed "misogynistic" tendencies turn up side-by-side with his ardent appreciation for, and devotion to, the divine glory of the feminine. His triple cry of "the Christians to the lions!" parades beside his obvious respect for the figure of Christ Himself. His social solutions for illiteracy and demotivation, "a contented slave class," seem shocking at first until the reader delves into the fuller explanation of the careful responsibilities of his envisioned "elite" toward their less-fortunate fellows.

All in all, some of the best and worst of Crowley's mind is inscribed upon these pages for the world to see. At times his commentary takes a decidedly personal, almost solipsistic slant, as he himself endeavors to make sense of confounding passages in the very text which was delivered through the vehicle of his own being. These moments offer fascinating insights into the man who would later turn his back upon and denounce such adept students of his as Frater Achad and Jack Parsons for far less supposed folly of thought or course than he, Crowley, exhibited himself. In his "autohagiography" _Confessions_, Crowley attempted to be candid to some degree, yet it is obvious therein that he had given more conscious forethought to his self-representation. That level of conscious deliberation is absent in the scattered vulnerable insights within _The Law is for All_, making this an even more candid look into the mind of one of the Twentieth Century's most infamous enigmas, Aleister Crowley.

--Shedona Chevalier--


Highly Edited Version of earlier Edition!   December 16, 2000
 9 out of 10 found this review helpful

This book is a fair edition of 'The Law Is for All' if you can't find the original edition that was Edited by Israel Regardie, published by Llewellyn Publications, and first printed in 1975. The edition edited by Israel Regardie is far more comprehensive and representative of Aleister Crowley's commentary.