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The Hell-Fire Clubs: A History of Anti-Morality
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Manufacturer: The History Press
Author: Geoffrey Ashe
Publisher: The History Press
Average Customer Rating:
Our Price: $21.57
You Save: $ 9.38 ( 30% )
Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: The History Press
Author: Geoffrey Ashe
Publisher: The History Press
Average Customer Rating:
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The Hell-Fire Clubs: A History of Anti-Morality Description
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 940
EAN: 9780750924023
ISBN: 0750924020
Label: The History Press
Manufacturer: The History Press
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 250
Publication Date: 2000-03-01
Publisher: The History Press
Studio: The History Press
Dewey Decimal Number: 940
EAN: 9780750924023
ISBN: 0750924020
Label: The History Press
Manufacturer: The History Press
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 250
Publication Date: 2000-03-01
Publisher: The History Press
Studio: The History Press
Editorial Review of The Hell-Fire Clubs: A History of Anti-Morality
Brilliantly readable and delving below the scandals to reveal the social and political impact of doing your own thing which has roots far deeper than the post-war permissive society.
Customer Reviews of The Hell-Fire Clubs: A History of Anti-Morality
Customer Rating: 
Review Summary: and now, for something completely different...
Review: In Rabelais' work Gargantua (which sadly, I have not yet read, but just ordered after reading this) , there is a section in which the author imagines a Utopian "abbey" named Theleme; the only rule of living there is "Do what you will." Ashe looks at this rule, and asks the question of what happened when people have tried living by this motto, both in reality and in fiction. Furthermore, he examines the question of libertinism being the same as liberty -- and the result is a look through a slice of history. I will tell you at the outset that this is not a book for the average reader, and it's not a titillating tell-all about the much misconstrued and notorious Hellfire Clubs.
Ashe takes the theme of Theleme through the book, looking into various individuals & organizations who have practiced the "do what you will" theme. Taking a road that leads from Rabelais, he examines John Dee and his assistant Edward Kelley, then moves to different erotic literature characters (and authors) of the 18th century, then the various Hell-fire Clubs, spending quite a bit of time with the one organized by Sir Francis Dashwood. His examination takes him into the world of politics, since most the highest-ranking members of this group were also members of government. Then it's on to Gothic literature, the Marquis de Sade, Lord Byron, Aleister Crowley, Anton LaVey (founder of the Church of Satan) and a wee bit about the "family" of Charles Manson.
Very well done, but it is important to realize that this is a book of history and as such, not something that a reader wants to choose lightly. It takes a while to get through it, but it is well worth it. I'd recommend it to anyone seriously interested in the topic, and anyone who is looking for a resource on the subject.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: marvelous history of devitry
Review: This book used to be titled "Do What you will" -though the Hellfire Clubs are the real subject matter. The saying, "do what you will" was a more tenuous connecting theme. There are some small updates to the original text (which I have also read), but it is again largely a survey of the wonderful antics of the early British, American (Ben Franklin was an associate of Satanist types at least) and Irish gentleman-Satanists and sandwich-inventors. I wanted a copy of my own and couldn't resist revisiting these agreeable rakes and their adventures and antics. These clubs were dedicated to drinking, wenching, political intrigue, blasphemy, and various other forms of debauchery. Many such clubs have existed among upper class englishmen, and still do; these were the most colorful, and the note of blasphemy had a strong political/religious component which would not be present today. One of these days I have to try out their recipe for chicken ("... of venus") and "scaltheen" (whiskey with butter and brimstone).
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Is not interesting
Review: This book could have been juicy, but isn't.
The Hellfire clubs were phenomena that came into their peak activity in the 1700's and 1800's of the raucous activity of men. The Hellfire clubs were many things: a way to have fun, a way to rebel against current thinking, practices and social norms, a way to gather like-minded people, a way to express ideas and freedoms in a safe environment, a way to find an outlet for behavior that notable men couldn't safely exercise elsewhere, and a place to create uncivilized fun. Mostly, the Hellfire club activity itself seemed to be plenty of mockery of Christian rituals, light occult practices, and occasional orgies, some for ritualistic practices and others just for fun.
For a book titled, "Hellfire clubs", it has disappointing little say about them. Part of this of course, is because, mostly what went on inside the Hellfire clubs stayed inside the Hellfire clubs, so the historic record is scant. Therefore, the book makes up by telling the story around the Hellfire clubs, which isn't interesting.
The book starts in the 1500's with the founding of the philosophical themes that lead to the foundation and freedom of the Hellfire Clubs, the "Do what though wilt" that's been made ever-so-famous since. The book then traces this philosophical thread through five centuries, explaining how it built the formation of the Hellfire clubs. Since there's not much of a story about the Hellfire clubs themselves, the book then spend time discussing some of the major members of the Hellfire clubs and analyzing their writings, stories, and poetry in light of the "Do what though wilt" philosophy, which is not exciting.
A good story about wenching, carousing, forbidden and mysteries ceremonies, getting drunk, and causing trouble - this book is not. Buy this book if you're sincerely interested in the history of the period; otherwise, skip it.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: This Is The best hell Fire Club Book !
Review: Ave Everyone,
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Witty and informative
Review: Much to my surprise, this is a wonderful and witty history of not only Western anti-morality philosophies but also of British politics in the mid-nineteenth century. Ashe is a master at understatement, dry humor, and clear writing, making this a great and important read if you want to understand the underpinnings of British upper class society and politics in the nineteenth century (as well as some of the nasty pasttimes of some of that era's peers). I was pleasantly surprised that the book did not dwell on salacious details of the libertine "clubs" discussed, but gave just enough description for the reader to get the gist of what was going on and why. Ashe also deserves praise for making quite plain which supposed "facts" are (or were) rumors, disinformation, lies, or, unfortunately, truth. Clearly, Ashe spent much time and effort researching this subject matter; it plainly shows.
In the end, this book is a well-balanced and scholarly dip into the pool of both Rabelaisian philosophy and its influences, as well as British history and politics. What makes this book a gem is that it is never dry or too erudite -- it is compulsively readable. I found myself enjoying it more and more as I read further.
Review Summary: and now, for something completely different...
Review: In Rabelais' work Gargantua (which sadly, I have not yet read, but just ordered after reading this) , there is a section in which the author imagines a Utopian "abbey" named Theleme; the only rule of living there is "Do what you will." Ashe looks at this rule, and asks the question of what happened when people have tried living by this motto, both in reality and in fiction. Furthermore, he examines the question of libertinism being the same as liberty -- and the result is a look through a slice of history. I will tell you at the outset that this is not a book for the average reader, and it's not a titillating tell-all about the much misconstrued and notorious Hellfire Clubs.
Ashe takes the theme of Theleme through the book, looking into various individuals & organizations who have practiced the "do what you will" theme. Taking a road that leads from Rabelais, he examines John Dee and his assistant Edward Kelley, then moves to different erotic literature characters (and authors) of the 18th century, then the various Hell-fire Clubs, spending quite a bit of time with the one organized by Sir Francis Dashwood. His examination takes him into the world of politics, since most the highest-ranking members of this group were also members of government. Then it's on to Gothic literature, the Marquis de Sade, Lord Byron, Aleister Crowley, Anton LaVey (founder of the Church of Satan) and a wee bit about the "family" of Charles Manson.
Very well done, but it is important to realize that this is a book of history and as such, not something that a reader wants to choose lightly. It takes a while to get through it, but it is well worth it. I'd recommend it to anyone seriously interested in the topic, and anyone who is looking for a resource on the subject.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: marvelous history of devitry
Review: This book used to be titled "Do What you will" -though the Hellfire Clubs are the real subject matter. The saying, "do what you will" was a more tenuous connecting theme. There are some small updates to the original text (which I have also read), but it is again largely a survey of the wonderful antics of the early British, American (Ben Franklin was an associate of Satanist types at least) and Irish gentleman-Satanists and sandwich-inventors. I wanted a copy of my own and couldn't resist revisiting these agreeable rakes and their adventures and antics. These clubs were dedicated to drinking, wenching, political intrigue, blasphemy, and various other forms of debauchery. Many such clubs have existed among upper class englishmen, and still do; these were the most colorful, and the note of blasphemy had a strong political/religious component which would not be present today. One of these days I have to try out their recipe for chicken ("... of venus") and "scaltheen" (whiskey with butter and brimstone).
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Is not interesting
Review: This book could have been juicy, but isn't.
The Hellfire clubs were phenomena that came into their peak activity in the 1700's and 1800's of the raucous activity of men. The Hellfire clubs were many things: a way to have fun, a way to rebel against current thinking, practices and social norms, a way to gather like-minded people, a way to express ideas and freedoms in a safe environment, a way to find an outlet for behavior that notable men couldn't safely exercise elsewhere, and a place to create uncivilized fun. Mostly, the Hellfire club activity itself seemed to be plenty of mockery of Christian rituals, light occult practices, and occasional orgies, some for ritualistic practices and others just for fun.
For a book titled, "Hellfire clubs", it has disappointing little say about them. Part of this of course, is because, mostly what went on inside the Hellfire clubs stayed inside the Hellfire clubs, so the historic record is scant. Therefore, the book makes up by telling the story around the Hellfire clubs, which isn't interesting.
The book starts in the 1500's with the founding of the philosophical themes that lead to the foundation and freedom of the Hellfire Clubs, the "Do what though wilt" that's been made ever-so-famous since. The book then traces this philosophical thread through five centuries, explaining how it built the formation of the Hellfire clubs. Since there's not much of a story about the Hellfire clubs themselves, the book then spend time discussing some of the major members of the Hellfire clubs and analyzing their writings, stories, and poetry in light of the "Do what though wilt" philosophy, which is not exciting.
A good story about wenching, carousing, forbidden and mysteries ceremonies, getting drunk, and causing trouble - this book is not. Buy this book if you're sincerely interested in the history of the period; otherwise, skip it.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: This Is The best hell Fire Club Book !
Review: Ave Everyone,
I have to say if your going to research all the Hell fire clubs this is the book for you. It sticks to facts about the clubs and it's members not like other books on the clubs that used mostly fiction. Geoffrey Ashe is a great writer and I am glad this book is still around. I recommend it to the people within the church I am in. So if you want to know what people do and some still do to have the most sexual delightful time then by all means buy this book.
Always In The Dark,
High Priest/Advisor Gino of the Temples Of Satan
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Witty and informative
Review: Much to my surprise, this is a wonderful and witty history of not only Western anti-morality philosophies but also of British politics in the mid-nineteenth century. Ashe is a master at understatement, dry humor, and clear writing, making this a great and important read if you want to understand the underpinnings of British upper class society and politics in the nineteenth century (as well as some of the nasty pasttimes of some of that era's peers). I was pleasantly surprised that the book did not dwell on salacious details of the libertine "clubs" discussed, but gave just enough description for the reader to get the gist of what was going on and why. Ashe also deserves praise for making quite plain which supposed "facts" are (or were) rumors, disinformation, lies, or, unfortunately, truth. Clearly, Ashe spent much time and effort researching this subject matter; it plainly shows.
In the end, this book is a well-balanced and scholarly dip into the pool of both Rabelaisian philosophy and its influences, as well as British history and politics. What makes this book a gem is that it is never dry or too erudite -- it is compulsively readable. I found myself enjoying it more and more as I read further.