I am OverMoon to have have been invited to write the foreword to a fascinating and gorgeous new book that focuses on Crowley’s last years in Hastings and the house in which he lived and died. Antony Clayon, the author, lives, as I do, in Hastings, and has previously written books such as Subterranean City: Beneath the Streets of London, The Folklore of London and Decadent London. This beautiful and sumptuously illustrated book is now available from my favourite booksellers, Weiser, and includes one of the original paintings by Crowley, as well as the last letter announcing the Word of the Equinox that he wrote, that I own in my personal Crowley collection. The promotional information and Weiser catalogue entry follows below:
“A Gentleman of Hastings” [Antony Clayton] with contributions from Frater Amor Fati [Gary Lachman] & The English Heretic [Andy Sharp]. Foreword by Anok Pe [David Tibet]. Netherwood: Last Resort of Aleister Crowley. London: Accumulator Press, 2012. First Edition. Hardcover. 8vo. (160mm x 240mm - 6 3/10 x 9 2/5 inches), xii + 228pp. Sewn, colour printed paper covered boards. Black and white and colour illustrations: 46 photos on 28 page photographic paper insert. Title of book and name of publisher blocked in gold on spine. Although not stated, this first edition limited to 500 copies.
A fascinating study of Netherwood, the guesthouse in Hastings, England and the time spent there by its most famous resident, Aleister Crowley. In addition to a background history of the building, the book includes a lengthy chapter on each of the years that Crowley spent there, exploring the daily life of the Beast in his final years, and his interactions with other guests and those who visited him, including Kenneth Grant, David Curwen, John Symonds and others. The book opens with a Foreword by Hastings resident, musician and Crowley aficionado David Tibet, and has additional essays “The Mark of the Beast” by occult researcher, musician and author Gary Lachman and “Conjuror with Belief: Aossic in the Atom Age”, by “The English Heretic” – Andy Sharp. Generously illustrated with many seldom-seen photographs of Netherwood, Crowley and friends, as well as colour photographs of some of Crowley’s artwork that probably once graced the walls of the building. ISBN 978-0-9572334-0-9. New book. Fine condition. (Issued without dustjacket). US $42.50 + standard shipping for the book.
Available now from Weiser Antiquarian Books or email them at .
Please note that this is a London-published book so UK customers may wish to order direct from the publisher at .
