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Exceptional Advice for Adventurers Everywhere #1
Mulogo's Treatise on Wizardry
Mulogo's Treatise on Wizardry - A Wizard's Guide to Survival in a World Where People Want to Kill You and Take Your Stuff.
So you want to be a wizard?
You know being a wizard is not all quests filled with high adventure, finding priceless treasure, warm adulation and reward, and uncovering newfound knowledge?
You really want to be ensorcelled by fell magics, accosted by boisterous knights, enchanted by hostile magicians, waylaid by villainous rogues, attacked by creatures from the nether realms, cursed by dread warlocks, and worse? And those on some of your better days?
Seriously?
Are you crazy?
If you are (crazy, not serious… serious is optional), then Mulogo is the wizard for you and Mulogo’s Treatise on Wizardry is the guide you’ll live by!
Mulogo’s Treatise on Wizardry provides a concise summary in plain (well, mostly plain) language for wizards who wish to have a manual for survival in a harsh world where people (and much nastier) want to kill you and take your stuff (usually in that order).
With varied subject topics ranging from Allies and Whether to Buy Them, On Reducing Risk (and Capitalizing on the Failure of Others), Protecting Yourself From Yourself, How to Minimize the Curiosity of Others, and When Griffins Attack, Mulogo’s Treatise on Wizardry will allow you to thrive… but first you have to survive.
Hopefully you’ll enjoy a few laughs along the way.
Scribe’s Notes:
1. Mulogo’s Treatise on Wizardry is a largely farcical text making light of wizardly conventions within the larger fantasy, gaming, and roleplaying traditions, assorted related communities and offshoots, memes, and various cultural derivatives.
2. If you do not like satire, or laughing, this book is not for you.
3. Perhaps a more exciting tome like Navel Lint, Its Permutations and Harvesting would be more to your liking.
4. Mulogo does not condone laughing.
So you want to be a wizard?
You know being a wizard is not all quests filled with high adventure, finding priceless treasure, warm adulation and reward, and uncovering newfound knowledge?
You really want to be ensorcelled by fell magics, accosted by boisterous knights, enchanted by hostile magicians, waylaid by villainous rogues, attacked by creatures from the nether realms, cursed by dread warlocks, and worse? And those on some of your better days?
Seriously?
Are you crazy?
If you are (crazy, not serious… serious is optional), then Mulogo is the wizard for you and Mulogo’s Treatise on Wizardry is the guide you’ll live by!
Mulogo’s Treatise on Wizardry provides a concise summary in plain (well, mostly plain) language for wizards who wish to have a manual for survival in a harsh world where people (and much nastier) want to kill you and take your stuff (usually in that order).
With varied subject topics ranging from Allies and Whether to Buy Them, On Reducing Risk (and Capitalizing on the Failure of Others), Protecting Yourself From Yourself, How to Minimize the Curiosity of Others, and When Griffins Attack, Mulogo’s Treatise on Wizardry will allow you to thrive… but first you have to survive.
Hopefully you’ll enjoy a few laughs along the way.
Scribe’s Notes:
1. Mulogo’s Treatise on Wizardry is a largely farcical text making light of wizardly conventions within the larger fantasy, gaming, and roleplaying traditions, assorted related communities and offshoots, memes, and various cultural derivatives.
2. If you do not like satire, or laughing, this book is not for you.
3. Perhaps a more exciting tome like Navel Lint, Its Permutations and Harvesting would be more to your liking.
4. Mulogo does not condone laughing.
76 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 12
124 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Joseph J. Bailey
47 books23 followersThrough such simple questions as, "What if we lived in a world where our beliefs were real, tangible, and actualizable?" Joe explores the possible through thought, fantasy, wit, and character.
Including influences such as Shunryu Suzuki, Tolkien, Krishnamurti, Iain M. Banks, Laozi, Stephen R. Donaldson, Philip Kapleau, Raymond E. Feist, Edward O. Wilson, Dan Simmons, and David Bohm, Joe creates existential fantasy filled with rich worlds, concepts, stories, and ideas.
Joe holds an advanced degree in environmental management from Duke University where he also studied religion with a focus on meditative, experiential, and transformative traditions.
When not at play with his family, he enjoys reading, writing, and relaxation. When he can, Joe also practices various martial traditions in which he has attained the victim level of proficiency.
For more information, please visit Joe's website at: www.josephjbailey.com.
Including influences such as Shunryu Suzuki, Tolkien, Krishnamurti, Iain M. Banks, Laozi, Stephen R. Donaldson, Philip Kapleau, Raymond E. Feist, Edward O. Wilson, Dan Simmons, and David Bohm, Joe creates existential fantasy filled with rich worlds, concepts, stories, and ideas.
Joe holds an advanced degree in environmental management from Duke University where he also studied religion with a focus on meditative, experiential, and transformative traditions.
When not at play with his family, he enjoys reading, writing, and relaxation. When he can, Joe also practices various martial traditions in which he has attained the victim level of proficiency.
For more information, please visit Joe's website at: www.josephjbailey.com.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 4, 2017
There's nothing like a great fantasy story! And this is NOTHING like a great fantasy story. Sorry, if you were expecting, adventure, excitement and encounters with daemons from alternate dimensions... This just isn't going to fulfill your needs if that's what you're after.
What you DO get with this title is a lot of satire and dry wit.
Cover aside, this seems very professionally put together for a title I snapped up for the princely sum of nothing at all, from Amazon. Yes, I downloaded it for free, and it definitely offered great value for money, however I think would also have done if it had been a couple of quid.
A great book is all about character development, and this book is all about character development. While the slightly irreverent Mulogo tries to impart his considerable knowledge about the business of 'wizarding', his scribe mocks and ridicules his pomposity in the footnotes. It starts to read like a conversation between a somewhat arrogant wizard and his disgruntled servant. Mulogo offers up often dry, satirical advice, with an air of snootiness about him - then the scribe slaps you with the punchline, often giving a more real insight into the kind of person Mulogo is.
This might appeal to readers who are into table-top gaming or RPG games on consoles and computers. Mulogo almost reads like an Unseen University Alumni. It could make an amusing companion guide to a novel about Mulogo or as source material for a pen and paper RPG.
Here of course, lies the flaw. At least to me, despite this being laugh out loud hilarious at times, at other times it just isn't. That's fine, but normally there's a story, a narrative to drive things forwards and keep you interested. In this case there isn't. You often read the boring bits of books to get to the good bits, but in this one, it's a bit more stop-start. There isn't the curiosity of wanting to know what happens to entice you to plough through the drier sections.
So yes, this is a very well put together ebook, but it's also very odd and probably only worth going beyond the sample if you 'get it' and appreciate the humour. At times it IS a tad repetitive, however for the most part it's a very enjoyable read and it definitely gave me a chuckle.
I think I'd actually like to read a novel about Mulogo and his scribe, despite the format - you can tell they have a great chemistry and their interactions in the more typical format would probably also be very amusing and enjoyable to read. I hope Bailey writes Mulogo and his scribe a full novel, I think this would be a great companion to such a book.
Humour aside, the second half of the book is a glossary of terms and it's again very well put together. Bailey introduces some terms I'm not familiar with, and he describes many which I am. If you're writing a fantasy novel or a campaign for an table top RPG then the glossary section is a potential source of inspiration that might be worth checking out.
To put something as unusual as this out was perhaps a tad risky, most fiction readers want a narrative and a plot - this has neither. However I think this was a worthwhile effort. Bailey is clearly a talented writer with an eye for detail. If his writing here is anything to go by, his stories will be excellent.
A small thing that other people haven't mentioned in their reviews is the pleasing consistency in Mulogo and the scribes tone. They both have a very distinct voice, which seems to convey their personality well.
So, to sum up; a bit of a slog at times, because I like a plot. But well written and funny - so 4 stars!
Paperback:- http://amzn.to/2fPPsFx
Kindle Edition:- http://amzn.to/2fLztoD
Martyn Stanley
Author of:-
The Last Dragon Slayer (Free to download)
What you DO get with this title is a lot of satire and dry wit.
Cover aside, this seems very professionally put together for a title I snapped up for the princely sum of nothing at all, from Amazon. Yes, I downloaded it for free, and it definitely offered great value for money, however I think would also have done if it had been a couple of quid.
A great book is all about character development, and this book is all about character development. While the slightly irreverent Mulogo tries to impart his considerable knowledge about the business of 'wizarding', his scribe mocks and ridicules his pomposity in the footnotes. It starts to read like a conversation between a somewhat arrogant wizard and his disgruntled servant. Mulogo offers up often dry, satirical advice, with an air of snootiness about him - then the scribe slaps you with the punchline, often giving a more real insight into the kind of person Mulogo is.
This might appeal to readers who are into table-top gaming or RPG games on consoles and computers. Mulogo almost reads like an Unseen University Alumni. It could make an amusing companion guide to a novel about Mulogo or as source material for a pen and paper RPG.
Here of course, lies the flaw. At least to me, despite this being laugh out loud hilarious at times, at other times it just isn't. That's fine, but normally there's a story, a narrative to drive things forwards and keep you interested. In this case there isn't. You often read the boring bits of books to get to the good bits, but in this one, it's a bit more stop-start. There isn't the curiosity of wanting to know what happens to entice you to plough through the drier sections.
So yes, this is a very well put together ebook, but it's also very odd and probably only worth going beyond the sample if you 'get it' and appreciate the humour. At times it IS a tad repetitive, however for the most part it's a very enjoyable read and it definitely gave me a chuckle.
I think I'd actually like to read a novel about Mulogo and his scribe, despite the format - you can tell they have a great chemistry and their interactions in the more typical format would probably also be very amusing and enjoyable to read. I hope Bailey writes Mulogo and his scribe a full novel, I think this would be a great companion to such a book.
Humour aside, the second half of the book is a glossary of terms and it's again very well put together. Bailey introduces some terms I'm not familiar with, and he describes many which I am. If you're writing a fantasy novel or a campaign for an table top RPG then the glossary section is a potential source of inspiration that might be worth checking out.
To put something as unusual as this out was perhaps a tad risky, most fiction readers want a narrative and a plot - this has neither. However I think this was a worthwhile effort. Bailey is clearly a talented writer with an eye for detail. If his writing here is anything to go by, his stories will be excellent.
A small thing that other people haven't mentioned in their reviews is the pleasing consistency in Mulogo and the scribes tone. They both have a very distinct voice, which seems to convey their personality well.
So, to sum up; a bit of a slog at times, because I like a plot. But well written and funny - so 4 stars!
Paperback:- http://amzn.to/2fPPsFx
Kindle Edition:- http://amzn.to/2fLztoD
Martyn Stanley
Author of:-
The Last Dragon Slayer (Free to download)
March 18, 2013
Occasionally wise in spite of himself, the self-absorbed wizard with the enormously long name offers clever aphorisms on life to the reader while his reluctantly obedient scribe provides a cynical commentary in chapter end notes. The writing has a nicely convoluted style, perfectly suited to the content, with enjoyably droll humor both in the wizard’s egotism and his scribe’s objections. Some nicely timed surprises add to the enjoyment as a wizard proves the truth of his statement “Be open to your limitations that you may learn. Look on your failures as successes that you may grow.” What I liked best were the suggested approaches to being under attack, reminding me of Monty Python’s “What if he comes at me with a pointed stick” sketch. What I liked least was flipping through pages to remember what some of the end-notes meant. Short fun satire, by equal shares odd and humorous, Mulogo’s guide is an enjoyable quick read.
Disclosure: The author gave me a free ecopy in exchange for my honest review
Disclosure: The author gave me a free ecopy in exchange for my honest review
October 8, 2014
Thin and rather repetitive. The first half of the book could be summed up in two sentences: A wizard's chief duty should be to survive. To survive, go unnoticed. Admittedly, the twist with the bakery was nice, but it got lost in all the blather. The second half of the book is the glossary, which was, alas, more interesting than the first half.
A clever idea, but not well-executed.
A clever idea, but not well-executed.
May 3, 2016
There's no story here... no tale... just the ramblings of a wizard (and comments by his scribe).
Amusing, interesting, and entertaining... I wonder if there is a copy of this in the library at Hogwarts?!
Amusing, interesting, and entertaining... I wonder if there is a copy of this in the library at Hogwarts?!
September 14, 2014
The extended title for this work is: “Mulogo's Treatise on Wizardry - A Wizard’s Guide to Survival in a World Where People Want to Kill You and Take Your Stuff (Exceptional Advice for Adventurers Everywhere).” I got this free through Goodreads and the author in exchange for a fair review. It’s sort of a set of guidelines for neophyte wizards. The “author Mulogo, 300+ years old, with the help of his Scribe, “Ludaceous Vaer Mordicanum, Scribe, Lesser Under Understudy, Apprentice Wizard 3rd Order, Gofer 2nd Class, Semi-Rebellious Sycophant, Assistant Baker and Order Clerk, and Yes-Man.” The Scribe provides us with numerous footnotes related to Mulogo’s ponitifications. Most of these footnotes are snide and sarcastic, impugning the character and judgment of his employer, making for a quite funny juxtaposition between the clueless Mugolo and Ludaceous.
While we have the usual “protecting yourself and your potions/spells/etc. from those who would manipulate/steal from/kill you,” the main thrust of the work is to encourage those who be wizards not to become a media personality, but to be humble and “blend in” to society, so as not to call undue attention to oneself and thereby render oneself vulnerable to the woes expounded above. Not a bad message for any of us, really.
As somewhat of a contrast to the drollery of the text itself, this book has an appendix/glossary of terms, types of magic, human and humanoid creatures and mythological ideas, which takes up fully a fourth of the book and would, I should surmise, be more appropriately appended to a much longer, epic and complex work (I do indeed hope that Mr. Bailey is working on such a tome, for I believe I would read it). My thanks to Mr. Bailey for offering this for review with no financial recompense; I always appreciate authors putting themselves “out there.”
(EA'AE)) (Kindle Locations 119-120). Joseph J. Bailey. Kindle Edition.
While we have the usual “protecting yourself and your potions/spells/etc. from those who would manipulate/steal from/kill you,” the main thrust of the work is to encourage those who be wizards not to become a media personality, but to be humble and “blend in” to society, so as not to call undue attention to oneself and thereby render oneself vulnerable to the woes expounded above. Not a bad message for any of us, really.
As somewhat of a contrast to the drollery of the text itself, this book has an appendix/glossary of terms, types of magic, human and humanoid creatures and mythological ideas, which takes up fully a fourth of the book and would, I should surmise, be more appropriately appended to a much longer, epic and complex work (I do indeed hope that Mr. Bailey is working on such a tome, for I believe I would read it). My thanks to Mr. Bailey for offering this for review with no financial recompense; I always appreciate authors putting themselves “out there.”
(EA'AE)) (Kindle Locations 119-120). Joseph J. Bailey. Kindle Edition.
March 26, 2013
My Nose Hairs Never Looked Better!
Written as an indirect dialogue between a wizard and his scribe (with pertinent wizardly advice sandwiched between), Mulogo's Treatise is a fun, witty little read.
While Mulogo offers (or, in this case, tries to offer) his vaunted wizardly knowledge to aspiring wizards, the snarky commentary on his words provided by Mulogo's scribe Ludaceous via notations at the bottom of each page undermines most of what Mulogo says... with humor. While this running commentary is quite funny, it also serves to draw the reader into the jokes and the weird world of wizardly wisdom... one probably not made fun of enough in the fantasy community.
This indirect comedic dialogue between the lines works... and is like nothing else I've read. Going between Mulogo's advice and Ludaceous's criticisms adds extra depth and engagement to the treatise, taking a unique idea (how many wizard's treatises are out there?) to another level.
From the idea of a spoof on a wizard's manual (which actually has some useful advice) to the back and forth between Mulogo and his scribe, Mulogo's Treatise provides a well-done, novel concept and is certainly worth the read.
Written as an indirect dialogue between a wizard and his scribe (with pertinent wizardly advice sandwiched between), Mulogo's Treatise is a fun, witty little read.
While Mulogo offers (or, in this case, tries to offer) his vaunted wizardly knowledge to aspiring wizards, the snarky commentary on his words provided by Mulogo's scribe Ludaceous via notations at the bottom of each page undermines most of what Mulogo says... with humor. While this running commentary is quite funny, it also serves to draw the reader into the jokes and the weird world of wizardly wisdom... one probably not made fun of enough in the fantasy community.
This indirect comedic dialogue between the lines works... and is like nothing else I've read. Going between Mulogo's advice and Ludaceous's criticisms adds extra depth and engagement to the treatise, taking a unique idea (how many wizard's treatises are out there?) to another level.
From the idea of a spoof on a wizard's manual (which actually has some useful advice) to the back and forth between Mulogo and his scribe, Mulogo's Treatise provides a well-done, novel concept and is certainly worth the read.
March 13, 2013
Review of Mulogo’s Treatise on Wizardry by Joseph J. Bailey
5 stars
I reviewed a complimentary e-book copy provided in return for my fair and impartial review.
I’m kind of pleased that I don’t have to know Wizard Mulogo in real life; after 3,000 plus years of life, the man is a little-well, egotistical. He does, however, in some cases know his stuff (he masquerades as a confectioner in order to avoid adventuring mobs seeking plunder) and his conceit, when backdropped by his scribe’s footnoted humour, is laugh-out-loud tongue-in-cheek droll. So, if you really want to learn to be a wizard, you might do better to try another grimoire; but if you want to chuckle over those long-set-in-stone conventions of the fantasy genre, role-playing games, and other such appurtenances, then grab up Mulogo’s Treatise on Wizardry (with its longer extended title) and laugh right along. Personally, although I’m not planning on taking up wizardry nor a three-millenium life, I am anticipating Author Bailey’s next tome.
5 stars
I reviewed a complimentary e-book copy provided in return for my fair and impartial review.
I’m kind of pleased that I don’t have to know Wizard Mulogo in real life; after 3,000 plus years of life, the man is a little-well, egotistical. He does, however, in some cases know his stuff (he masquerades as a confectioner in order to avoid adventuring mobs seeking plunder) and his conceit, when backdropped by his scribe’s footnoted humour, is laugh-out-loud tongue-in-cheek droll. So, if you really want to learn to be a wizard, you might do better to try another grimoire; but if you want to chuckle over those long-set-in-stone conventions of the fantasy genre, role-playing games, and other such appurtenances, then grab up Mulogo’s Treatise on Wizardry (with its longer extended title) and laugh right along. Personally, although I’m not planning on taking up wizardry nor a three-millenium life, I am anticipating Author Bailey’s next tome.
April 16, 2013
For all you fantasy lovers who think being a wizard is all fun and games -- this treatise is for you. Mulogo will show you the error in your thinking.
Mulogo's Treatise is a comical, quick look into the exciting, yet extremely dangerous lifestyle of a wizard.
While many other reviewers are claiming the scribe's footnotes steal the show, I find myself much more drawn to Mulogo. The author's use of dry wit really brings this character to life. Mulogo's casual understatement had me continuously chuckling to myself. I can just imagine Mulogo sitting, dictating to Ludaceous, with an unchanging, unamused expression on
His face -- "do you blast her with a wall of psychic force? .. I really would not recommend it ... "
Even though I don't know much about wizardry, I found myself laughing aloud often while reading. I imagine someone with even more knowledge of traditional wizarding stereotypes would find this that much more entertaining. Such a quick and amusing read, you do not want to miss this one!
Mulogo's Treatise is a comical, quick look into the exciting, yet extremely dangerous lifestyle of a wizard.
While many other reviewers are claiming the scribe's footnotes steal the show, I find myself much more drawn to Mulogo. The author's use of dry wit really brings this character to life. Mulogo's casual understatement had me continuously chuckling to myself. I can just imagine Mulogo sitting, dictating to Ludaceous, with an unchanging, unamused expression on
His face -- "do you blast her with a wall of psychic force? .. I really would not recommend it ... "
Even though I don't know much about wizardry, I found myself laughing aloud often while reading. I imagine someone with even more knowledge of traditional wizarding stereotypes would find this that much more entertaining. Such a quick and amusing read, you do not want to miss this one!
November 19, 2013
Mulogo's Treatise is a small book full of wizardly wizdom!
Written as an indirect dialogue between a master wizard and his scribe (the scribe provides commentary on his master's wizardly advice as footnotes at the end of each chapter), the novella is full quips, rejoinders, and wit while also poking fun at many common fantasy stereotypes and themes.
Although satirical (and quite funny), the book is also surprisingly full of real, practical advice. If you are ready to enjoy some wizardly wit, this book's for you!
Written as an indirect dialogue between a master wizard and his scribe (the scribe provides commentary on his master's wizardly advice as footnotes at the end of each chapter), the novella is full quips, rejoinders, and wit while also poking fun at many common fantasy stereotypes and themes.
Although satirical (and quite funny), the book is also surprisingly full of real, practical advice. If you are ready to enjoy some wizardly wit, this book's for you!
February 5, 2013
Mulogo's Treatise on Wizardry is a fun unique "how also" book on being a wizard like Mulogo with a slight twist of banter. You will enjoy these cleverly written passages of Mulogo's artistry and insights into wizardry along with his distinctive traveling companion the scribe.The scribe's witty satire steals the show with his exceptional ending notes.
June 25, 2013
Clever and witty, this book kept me interested (and up past my bedtime reading!) all the way through. A fun, easy (and quick!) read. The author's use of the scribe's notes at the end of each chapter provided a more accurate and entertaining view of Mulogo. A must read!
Read
November 19, 2013From the Author:
The EA'AE books are guides one might happen upon within the larger multiverse created in the Chronicles of the Fists trilogy... fantasy books giving farcical advice for professions that don't exist (even if we may want for them to... or not).
The EA'AE books are guides one might happen upon within the larger multiverse created in the Chronicles of the Fists trilogy... fantasy books giving farcical advice for professions that don't exist (even if we may want for them to... or not).
December 1, 2013
My review here.
January 12, 2026
I had fun reading this and the dynamic between Mulogo and the scribe was hilarious. I liked the scribe's sarcastic humor. His complete and utter distain having to write a guide for a self absorbed wizard bleeds through his little notes at the end of each chapter.
My biggest criticisms would be that the beginning was kind of rough and repetitive and it needed to be longer! I could easily see this turned into a novel.
My biggest criticisms would be that the beginning was kind of rough and repetitive and it needed to be longer! I could easily see this turned into a novel.
March 15, 2025
Cute idea
The idea of a wizard’s tomé being annotated by a tongue-in-cheek assistant is amusing. It makes you wonder what Bailey’s worlds and characters are like. Will likely explore more of his work.
The idea of a wizard’s tomé being annotated by a tongue-in-cheek assistant is amusing. It makes you wonder what Bailey’s worlds and characters are like. Will likely explore more of his work.
April 30, 2024
Considering this was a random free book I got on the Kindle store it was actually pretty good!
October 13, 2025
okay for a quick
read through
read through
May 14, 2014
A quick, funny read. Wish there was more substance, but still worth the short time it takes to read.
June 29, 2016
I liked it...
I really did, but parts of it were repetitive, and all the numbered subscriptions drove me nuts. Still, it's fun!
I really did, but parts of it were repetitive, and all the numbered subscriptions drove me nuts. Still, it's fun!
January 4, 2017
.
A humorous and stimulating approach to becoming a wizard of standing. A must read for the up and coming apprentice. 5 Stars!
A humorous and stimulating approach to becoming a wizard of standing. A must read for the up and coming apprentice. 5 Stars!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews