The Little Book of Satanism: A Guide to Satanic History, Culture, and Wisdom

by La Carmina

Discover the fascinating history and culture of Satanism through the ages and learn why many Satanists today stand up for free inquiry and personal liberty.

Satanism is too often misunderstood as a religion that makes blood sacrifices to an evil, horned Prince of Darkness. In reality, modern Satanists are nonviolent and nontheistic, and consider the Devil to be a meaningful metaphor for the pursuit of knowledge, reason, and justice.

The Little Book of Satanism details the “mark of the beast” in cultural and historic movements over the centuries, which have informed the sincerely held beliefs and practices of Satanists today. Written by award-winning alternative culture journalist and blogger La Carmina, this comprehensive guide This accessible book explains how Satanism developed in the context of social history while debunking lurid conspiracy theories about serial killers and ritual abuse. It includes a primer on various Satanic practices such as social activism, rituals, and holidays. In the spirit of the fallen angel Lucifer, be inspired by Satanism’s affirmative values that courageously oppose arbitrary authority and champion nonconformity.

Genres: Satanism, Religion, Nonfiction, History, Occult, Philosophy, Spirituality

144 pages, Paperback

Published August 25, 2023

About the author

La Carmina (http://www.lacarmina.com/blog) is the author of 4 books including THE LITTLE BOOK OF SATANISM, out now from Simon & Schuster!

She is a leading underground culture & travel blogger, TV host and coordinator (Travel Channel, Food Network, CNN), author of 4 books (Simon & Schuster, Penguin USA and Random House), and award-winning journalist. She’s well-known for her coverage of Jpop culture, Satanism worldwide, alt Gothic fashion / lifestyle, and bizarre body modifications, especially Japanese bagel heads.

TV HOST: La Carmina appeared on “The Today Show” and CBS “The Doctors,” and co-hosted an episode of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern for Travel Channel. NHK Japan filmed two documentaries about her work. Recent TV hosting and arranging credits include The Purge for Blumhouse, NHK Kawaii TV, Discovery TV “Oddities”, National Geographic “Taboo”, Food Network “World’s Weirdest Restaurants”, Fuel TV, Dutch Pepsi, Sony Australia, Canal Plus France, Belgium TV, Norway TV, Pro Sieben, and CNN. She also does photography as Carmen Wong, real legal birth name.

Her TV coordination and consulting company, La Carmina & The Pirates (http://lacarmina.com/pirates), worked on numerous shows about extreme body mods.

BLOGGER & JOURNALIST: Her popular culture/travel blog - http://www.lacarmina.com/blog - has been featured in major publications (The New Yorker, Washington Post, WWD, Cosmopolitan, Vogue Italia, LA Times). She is a SATW award winning journalist for The New York Times, Eater, CNN, Time Magazine, Business Insider, Fodor's and Travel + Leisure. Speeches and appearances include: NY Fashion Week, Hong Kong social media week, Luisaviaroma in Florence Italy, PRSA Travel and Tourism Conference, World Tourism Forum Istanbul, Experience Romania, Mediabistro Social Curation summit.

AUTHOR: She's written 4 nonfiction books for major publishers (Simon and Schuster, Penguin Random House). These include the
new Little Book of Satanism (foreword by Lucien Greaves of The Satanic Temple), Cute Yummy Time (about decorating food to look adorable) and Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo (such as vampire and ninja restaurants). More on LaCarmina official website: http://www.lacarmina.com

Reviews

[Arachne Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read quite a few books on Satanism and I have to say, this is the one I will invite all of my family and friends to read when they come to me when questions and judgments about my deeply seated beliefs. This covers the history of Satanism, Satanism in popular culture, the Satanic Panic, and modern day Satanism including a great explanation of all of The Satanic Temple’s current campaigns and practices. I actually was involved with helping plan a Back To School night hosted by TST and this book is just a great reminder that I love being apart of something so great while also finding a religion that finally makes sense to me.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

17 November 2022

"Oh, goody, I got my copy of The Little Book of Satanism! Can't wait to read it!" That's what I said, and even the cat looked at me weird.

***

26 November 2022

This book is intended for the vast majority of people who have no particular thoughts or opinions about Satanism. Other people may read it, but if one currently believes that a demonic being is responsible for people doing bad things, or if one is an active member in any of the satanic fellowships (of which actual Satan worship isn't a requirement or even usually a component), this book is probably going to be disappointing. It is a brief guide, and well crafted to provide maximum information in an engaging read.

This review has been delayed by my desire to write something more thoughtful and less clichéd, but having spent more time in that effort, and less enjoyment, than actually spent reading the book, I quit. It deserves better than this, but someone else will have to write that review.

Review copy provided by publisher

[Shiva Honey · Rating 5 out of 5]

La Carmina has created an accessible and informative book that will appeal to everyone from those curious or confused about Satanism, to Satanists themselves. Her book provides a balanced historical account of the religion and puts it into context for today's world. The Little Book of Satanism demystifies the often misunderstood religion and is a delight to read!

[Thomas Vallor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressive amount of history presented concisely and in an easily understandable way.

Accurately portrays concepts usually not accessible to the average person.

[Melissar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much is misunderstood of modern day Satanism, but this book is a quick, easy and engaging read on this polarizing and sometimes controversial philosophy. La Carmina expertly breaks it all down for first timers and provides a fascinating intro and history. Buy this book today - you won't regret it. And dare I say, it's a perfect little Christmas stocking stuffer?

[Jessica Woodruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick read but it was filled with a lot of information. It’s like dipping your toes in the water before learning to swim. This book is a good starting point to learn more about Satanism as a whole. I thoroughly enjoyed the parts about the history and how it came to be. I highly recommend this book!!

[Lilith Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

La Carmina's beautifully designed gem of a book provides an easy-to-understand introduction to the oft-maligned religion Satanism. She manages to encapsulate in its pages a quick overview of Satanism from the early days of ancient civilizations to modern Satanists who attract media attention today with their fight for justice and religious freedom. This is the perfect book to spend an evening with, being entertained while learning the basics of Satanism's roots, its evolution through the ages, the various pseudo-, proto- and fully Satanic organizations that make up its rich tapestry, and the truth behind common misconceptions. (Did you know that modern Satanists of the Satanic Temple and Church of Satan do not worship -- or even believe in -- the devil?)

Instead of conducting grisly rites out of Hollywood horror flicks, real Satanists can be found fighting against tyranny for social justice, exploring and expressing their individuality, and serving their local communities with everything from highway pickups to menstruation product drives for the homeless. Mad props to La Carmina for making Satanism accessible in a way never seen before. This little book will be critical in spreading knowledge and understanding about a religion often shrouded in mystery and misconceptions. Highly recommend to anyone, regardless of their religious (or non-religious) beliefs!

[A S · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I sat down to read this book I kept my personal biases out of my head and just focused on the content and the presentation of the itself.
Here are the issues the reader should be made aware of:
1. The Foreword, written by The Satanic Temple’s co-founder, Lucien Greaves is supposed to tell the audience why they should read the book. This book is about the supposed history of Satanism and how it’s presented/practiced today. Greaves doesn’t really get into the history part and how it’s important. Rather, for the 9 pages that are his Foreword, he instead attempts to reinforce a need for his organization and interpretation of Satanism to be a beacon of hope in a world overburdened by theocratic oppression. His message communicates an urgency for the reader to empathize with the struggle Satanists face and to at least understand it. This is not what the book is about nor is Greaves’ message in any way substantially comprised within.
2. Her “Timeline of Satanism” suggests in the title that the following are a legitimate part of the development or maintenance of the religion Satanism (I only picked a few examples, as most of the timeline isn’t relevant to the development or sustaining of the religion Satanism):
a. Aleister Crowley, known as The Great Beast 666, raises hell (Crowley never called himself a Satanist and his influence on the creation of the religion Satanism is minute or null at best)
b. The Process Church of Final Judgment is founded (Reviewer note: Called Satanists by others, never called themselves such)
c. Charles Manson and his murderous Family are dubbed “Satan’s hippies” (Reviewer note: Manson was never a Satanist nor did he claim to be. Satanism doesn’t condone illegal activity.)
d. The Exorcist movie is released (Satanism doesn’t acknowledge exorcisms, as demons are seen as a figment of one’s imagination and aren’t real and thus incapable of taking over an individual’s body or “soul”)
This is either an oversight, a mislabeling, or something else. Either way, to the reader it is communicated as a part of the religion in some context or another. This is dangerous because Satanism doesn’t advocate for illegal activity. Linking serial killers and others blatantly incompatible with Satanism is confusing, sloppy, credulous, and dangerous.
A more responsible and accurate title for this timeline should read: “The Timeline of Satan”.
3. Inaccurate, insincere, and credulous claims regarding Anton LaVey and the Church of Satan. Examples:
a. “It is said that on April 30, 1966 – Walpurgisnacht… Anton Szandor LaVey… ritualistically shaved his own head, put on a clerical collar, and proclaimed the founding of the Church of Satan (CoS).” The author’s statement of ‘It is said’ alludes to this possibly not happening. It is a recorded fact that it did occur on this date.
b. “LaVey, who came to be known as the “Black Pope,” loved to play up his origin story.” There is documented evidence supporting his background in the circus, law enforcement, etc. His biography, written by Burton Wolfe and then later by Blanche Barton was based on his actual events. Despite this, the author is revealing her own personal bias by using phrases like ‘loved to play up’, which calls into question her sincerity and the integrity of her work.
c. “When the blonde bombshell [Jayne Mansfield] died in a 1967 car crash, LaVey suggested he had cursed Jayne Mansfield by accidentally tearing apart a photo that separated her head from her body”.
This is so wrong it’s almost embarrassing. The facts: LaVey had put a curse on Mansfield’s partner, Sam Brody, and warned Mansfield to stay away from him. On the night she died, she was riding with Brody. LaVey was cutting an article out about the CoS and when he turned over the page he saw he had cut through a picture of Mansfield displayed on the opposite side. I’ve never heard of LaVey cursing Mansfield until now. Where did the author get this information?
d. “LaVey became increasingly reclusive during the 1980’s Satanic Panic that implicated his organization in evildoing. He kept to the Black House, watching movies and playing the organ for his new partner, Blanche Barton, and their son, Satan Xerxes.”
this is misleading, perpetuating a passive attitude of LaVey when it came to defending Satanism during the Satanic Panic.
This is inaccurate and misleading. In reality. LaVey had appeared many times in media (as the author states previously in the book) in the decade leading up to the panic where he time and time again drew the line on what Satanism was and wasn't. When he had repeated himself ad nauseum and didn't want to be paraded on the talk shows like a dancing bear, he appointed those who could disseminate the philosophy and defend the CoS to these assignments. During this time, LaVey also granted interviews to those who he felt would responsibly receive the information he would provide them.
e. “LaVey admitted that The Satanic Bible’s eclectic mix of ideas borrowed from Ayn Rand’s Objectivism”.
There is no quote or mention from LaVey regarding this. The one quote from LaVey regarding Rand and Satanism is unsubstantiated and thus considered a rumor. The material of Satanism itself shares little with Rand’s philosophy and essays have been written about the differences and are available on the Church of Satan’s website, something the author claimed she referenced, as she listed it in the Bibliography of this book.
f. “LaVey also drew heavily from Might is Right…”
Heavily is the insincere word here. LaVey only used choice passages in The Book of Satan, a 10 page section in a 272-page book. Has the author seen or even read The Satanic Bible? If so, she should know that Might is Right begins and ends in The Book of Satan.
4. Several glaring contradictory concepts are presented throughout this book but aren’t elaborated on. For one, the author mentions theistic Satanism, where these groups or people believe in an actual Satan (she doesn’t get much more into it than this, potentially leaving the reader to wonder how they fit into Satanism or why she brought it up in the first place), as well as atheistic (or nontheistic) Satanism, where Satan is simply a metaphor and the existence of an actual Satan is denied. This is the most glaring contradiction, as it suggests that two diametrically opposed concepts can fit under the same religious banner. A contrasting example would be Christian atheists.
5. Frequent bias language and disjointed sections revealing the author’s personal feelings/agenda. A few examples: Regarding bias language:
a. “Tituba, an indigenous Caribbean slave, entertained the girls she served with harmless voodoo tales…” (don’t need the word ‘harmless’) and disjointed sections.
b. “Today, some modern Satanists remember the Affair of the Poisons and its injustices by striving to defend reproductive rights and disempowered minorities”. (this section isn’t talking about Satanism today, but centuries-old acts/events labeled as Satanism by others)
c. “Enter The Satanic Temple (TST), a twenty-first century church that added an as-yet untapped element to Satanism: sociopolitical engagement”.
This is inaccurate, as I’ve personally met and encountered those who have written books to help support minorities struggling, bringing the internet to parts of the middle east whose technological advancements have been choked by centuries-old dogma, and who have marched for women’s rights. The author assumes that because TST parades their actions under the banner of Satanism, Satanists before them haven’t done the same but with responsible discretion.
d. “From its inception, TST has skillfully deployed both Satanic symbolism and grassroots activism to stand up for those marginalized by society.” Is this something everyone shares or just the auth
or? Many, including myself, don’t see their actions as skillful, but irresponsible and dangerous. By this admission, the author should cross out ‘skillfully’ and dutifully conceal her bias. Keep in mind, this is supposed to be a guidebook about Satanism, not a diary.
6. A desperate need for elaboration and cited material. The author brings up biblical and philosophical passages but doesn’t share them nor note them in the Bibliography. If you want to read more from these sources, don’t count on her references (there aren’t footnotes, either) to give you a quick reference and save you hours of scouring the source material she mentioned.
7. Incomplete/disjointed explanations and descriptors (possibly concealing the author’s bias): In the book, the author describes Eliphas Levi’s Sabbatic Goat (or Baphomet), explaining the representation of its attributes but leaving out the meaning behind the pentagram (until later in the book) and the caduceus. The caduceus symbolism represents the generative organ (or sex/fertility). The bias regarding the author’s personal alignment and favor of The Satanic Temple is suspect here, as their most notable mascot, the Baphomet statue, has two children flanking that very phallic symbol (caduceus). Was this incomplete on purpose or just lazy “journalism”?
In summary and to be fair, there are some aspects of value inside this text, however, you’d really have to know Satanism beforehand, largely defeating the purpose of this book, which is supposed to be a “guide” instead of a book of brief, disjointed, and at times dangerously misinformed and mispresented information.

As a supplement to the author's integrity, she hid comments on her Twitter feed of those bringing up inaccuracies in her book. This reinforces her angle and intentions in writing this.

[Aubrey Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book for beginner Satanists.

This little book does what it promises: it concisely covers historical and modern Satanism. La Carmina does a fantastic job of highlighting what Satanism *is* rather than the usual talk of what it *is not.* She draws attention to the stigmas which surround Satanism and gently but effectively highlighted how negatively these have impacted and continue to impact those on the margins of society. La Carmina includes definitions and ideologies stemming from both the Church of Satan (CoS) as well as The Satanic Temple (TST) and provides clear and effective differentiation between them as well, which I really appreciated (and I’m sure other followers of either CoS or TST do as well).

On the other hand, some of the historical information just barely skimmed the surface and often lacked references to source material. However, the facts are relatively easy to check, and I’ll concede that the entire history of Satanism is difficult to cover in less than 135 pages. So, while some of the initial pages were a bit choppy and vague in their presentation of information, I felt that the presentation of information on modern Satanism was great, especially on TST. One of my favorite quotes is:

“Some critics suggest that an atheist group could accomplish the same liberal political aims as TST without the ‘Satanic’ label; however, for these self-identifying Satanists, the symbolism carries essential meaning. The Devil represents an organizing set of principles and shared ethics, uniting members as they embrace their outsider status and champion science over superstition” (114-115).

In the end, I don’t think this book would change the minds of people who hold sincere/vehement disregard for Satanism, but it absolutely functions as a decent outline of Satanism and its practices.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise but packed with relevant information and highly engaging.

[Blayne Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was a great read. It delves into every bit of the history of Satanism with an inquisitive and compassionate eye. It is obvious that it was written from an allied but objective viewpoint. La Carmina doesn't take sides and, in general and simple terms, lays out the fundamentals and truth about it all. Great for followers and short enough to give an outsider an honest glimpse into the religion of they actually want to understand modern Satanism. Wonderful!

[Eric Bergemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was curious about the history of Satanism and this little book delivered in spades! I appreciated the way La Carmina contextualized the different roots of "satanism" and explained how the modern incarnation is actually a force for secular progress. Would highly recommend!

[Minister Ryan (Belili) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is packed with a wealth of information on Satanism. It is to be noted,this is a brief over view of Satanism through the eyes of history, culture, and wisdom. La Carmina has given the reader a jumping point to learn about the essence of Satanism. This little book serves as a conversation starter among friends and family trying to understand a satanist point of view. This book should be on everyone’s coffee table.

[Bronté S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great quick read! An easy to digest history lesson about Satanism, and what it is today. Interestingly enough, growing up with Christian ideals around me, this book helped to dismantle some fears- especially those surrounding demons and the devil himself. I highly recommend to those interested in Satanism, but also to those who are looking to release fear surrounding religions that have a strong “Good vs. Evil” ideology.

[Jax Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up from my mailbox around 2 hours ago and *just* finished it!! This was informative, easy to follow, and gave me so many points of interests im excited to follow up on! Absolutely everyone should read this! A+ 10/10 Will Read Again!!

[Rebecca Elson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review originally appeared on The Magical Buffet website on 09/14/2022.

Not to sound too much like Jerry Seinfeld, but what’s the deal with Satanism? Particularly, what’s the deal with our culture’s hang up about it? The answer seems obvious to most. Satan equals evil, so Satanism equals bad. It appears to be basic math, but it’s not that straightforward when you look closer at the history of Satan and those who have chosen to ally themselves with the Devil. Fortunately, alternative culture journalist La Carmina has laid it all out for us in her book, “The Little Book of Satanism: A Guide to Satanic History, Culture, and Wisdom.”

It is no easy task to unweave the tapestry that creates what Satanism is today, but La Carmina does an excellent job untangling the web and laying out a timeline for us to follow. “The Little Book of Satanism” begins in a time when there was no Satan, takes us to Satan’s Judeo-Christian debut, discusses some name branding with Lucifer, explores how “others” were by default tools of Satan in the Middle Ages, more branding courtesy of Dante and Faust, the witch hunts, the Hellfire Club, Satanic Panic, and public practitioners and organizations of today. It is an interesting journey, and once given context from the author’s research, it seems inevitable that there would be Satanists today.

La Carmina’s work explains many of the common symbols and beliefs of the modern Satanist, and highlights individuals and organizations of the past and present. You’ll find LaVey and the Church of Satan, the Process Church of the Final Judgment, Aleister Crowley, and The Satanic Temple. In fact, Temple co-founder Lucien Greaves provides an elegant foreward for “The Little Book of Satanism.”

In “The Little Book of Satanism,” author La Carmina makes a compelling argument for modern Satanism and the role a modern take on Satan could play in your personal spiritual practices. If you’re even slightly curious, I highly recommend getting yourself a copy of this book.

[Carrie (The Butterfly Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for someone new but as a more knowledgeable person, I learned nothing.

[Chris Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It’s an easy read and is a great window into a religion that is typically taboo.

[Andrew Pixton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick guide to a modern movement. I like that we get a little bit of pre-history to the modern concept of the devil, many don't realize how the very concept has changed over time and that we project into the Bible a modern understanding. She briefly covers the different occult movements that connected that to us today. It's definitely focused on Temple Satanism but gives extensive coverage to Church of Satan. I've read extensively on the subject and so most wasn't new to me but there were a few gems that were. If you need a pocketbook style overview, or give a friend a concise and informative summary, then this is the book for you.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.

For a little book it is certainly packed with information that may shine light on a mostly dark topic for some people. It may make you uncomfortable but it is to be read with an open mind and spirit.

[Brian LePort · Rating 5 out of 5]

La Carmina “is an award-winning alternative travel/culture/fashion blogger, author of four books, journalist and TV host.” She reached out to me a few weeks ago to ask if I’d be interested in reviewing her new book, The Little Book of Satanism. Of course, I was happy to review it. (And I wasn’t told how I should review it, so everything I say here is my opinion.) On this blog, I’ve reviewed biblical studies scholarship on the development of Satan in the Jewish and Christian Bibles and modern religious studies scholarship on contemporary Satanism. In my “Religion in the United States” class, I teach a lesson on American Satanism. It’s always my goal to represent religious movements as fairly as possible, so reading La Carmina’s book provides me with a resource that explains Satanism from a perspective that practicing Satanists would recognize. If you want to understand Satanism, its history, and what draws people to it, I highly recommend this book.


First of all, it’s short at a little over 130 pages of content. It’s very readable; very accessible to all audiences. You don’t need to know anything about Satanism to jump into it.

After the Forward by Lucien Greaves, one of the co-founders of the Satanic Temple, La Carmina provides a brief history of the development of the figure of Satan, going back to predecessors in, for example, Zoroastrianism and the Hebrew Bible and Satan’s emergence in Judaism and Christianity. La Carmina explores the various names given to the Devil; artistic depictions; and symbols associated with Satan.

Part 2 summarizes how the figure of Satan evolved from the Middle Ages to the present, highlighting the influence of Dante’s Inferno, the concept of exorcisms, and European and North American Witch Hunts. By the end of this section, La Carmina notes on p. 56, “By now, a theme has emerged: it is always ostracized out-groups who are targeted as Satan’s bedfellows.” And this will become part of the motivation of modern Satanists. On p. 61, we read that some of the events in the past (e.g. “the Affair of the Poisons”) have led to many Satanists, “striving to defend reproductive rights and disempowered minorities.” Part 2 continues with a look at John Milton’s Satan in Paradise Lost and its influence, as well as other writers who are classified as “Romantic Satanism,” viewing Satan as a rebel against tyranny.

This last part is key. Satan’s “meaning” changes. Rarely Satan is seen through the lens that most Christians see this figure through. It could be argued that while the same word/name is used, as Wittgenstein would show us, the “language-game” isn’t the same. This isn’t to deny the intentionality of the use of the word/name “Satan” but to say "Satan" doesn't mean to everyone else what it might mean to you!

Part 2 wraps up with a hoax (“the Taxil Hoax”), a couple of groups, and a major figure, Aleister Crawley, who influenced what Satanism would become. Part 3 continues the history of Satanism but with a focus on modernity. We meet groups like the Process Church of the Final Judgement and the Church of Satan (CoS), the latter led by Anton LaVey out of San Francisco, and the group that marks the birth of modern Satanism as we know it. It would seem to me that when most people think of “Satanism” they think of the CoS and “LaVeyan” Satanism, specifically. La Carmina’s exploration will help clear away cartoonish ideas that people may have about LaVey and his movement. Satan’s place in pop culture (e.g. Rosemary’s Baby), association with serial killers in the 1960s, and the Satanic panic round out this era and Part 3.

Part 4 focuses on Satanism in the 21st century. The Satanic Temple (TST), founded in 2013, dominates this section. La Carmina discusses their origin, ideologies, and activism, as well as what makes them a modern religion (e.g. rituals and holidays). For those interested in the trajectory of modern Satanism, this will be the most important chapter. (No offense to the CoS but TST is the most prominent representative of Satanism today!)

The Conclusion glimpses Satanism in a global context, looking at other “dark” figures (e.g. Santa Muerte; Yama) who have received similar veneration, both metaphysical and symbolic, and La Carmina predicts that this new religious movement will continue to spread.

Again, if you’re interested in a fair presentation of modern Satanism, and if you want to know what this movement is about without all the posturing that can occur when Satanism is discussed, this is a great place to begin.

[Oz Paszkiewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're curious about satanism, just starting out, or want to learn more about the history of how it came about, this is the book for you. As the title suggests, it's an overview of where "Satan" as a character came from, how he ended up in the Christian belief, and from there, how he was understood as an adversary, a rebel, and light bringer. The best part about this book is that it functions as a resource guide and timeline. It's not going to tell you everything there is to know, but the bibliography will lead you on your Satanic literary journey.
I appreciate the mostly unbiased tone in this book as it presents the facts of the Church of Satan and the Satanic Panic. COS has been known for its problematic take on Satanism, and we're all familiar with the Eurocentric history of witch hunts, but generally Carmina presents the facts and allows us to come to our own conclusions. Additionally, the introduction from Lucien Greaves creates the tone of a genuine religious community and our ongoing fight for justice. As Carmina will repeat throughout the book, Satanism isn't a prank, a joke, or the long-standing enemy of Christianity. The tenets of Satanism have not always been sociopolitical or as well organized as they are now with TST, but it's important to see how we ended up here and why we cling to the name Satan instead of any other imagery.
Something I would have liked to see done in this book is a more specific ritual one can do at home instead of just an overview of larger, community oriented rituals that have been done in the past. For example, I really enjoy getting the Satanic newsletter with art, poems, recipes, etc. I would have loved to see that in this book to show how people celebrate. However, I adore the satanic puns sprinkled throughout (i.e. "hell-bent" or "hoof-prints" also the name "old horny.") It shows that Satanism can be a serious religion that fights for the rights of its members while still being lighthearted and silly. Likewise, Carmina acknowledges the history of extreme evils that have been attributed wrongly to Satanism and subverts superstition with her factual tone and humor.
Overall, this is a really quick and easy read with lots of good information. I'm fascinated with how religion forms and how it's inspired by the beliefs that come before it. Even if you're not interested in practicing Satanism, I think this is a great read from a historical and psychological stand point. Just seeing how people react to the imagery of evil, either by rejecting or embracing it, is tantamount to the human condition. If nothing else, it's a great conversation starter and highlights the changes Satanists want to see in the world and in themselves.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introductory book to both the history of and modern incarnation of Satanism. La Carmina does a great job at tackling multiple misconceptions about the movement / religion, separating fact from (mostly wild) fiction and delivering much needed context for notable points in history – from the Salem witch trials all the way to the Satanic Panic of the '90s, or even the current Q-influenced iterations. If you're already in the know, this book won't exactly deliver much new information per se, but it's great to see all of these (mostly hysterical) moments in time laid out and explained in such an even keeled way.

One thing this book is especially great at is helping readers to identify the origins of modern distrust towards Satanism. La Carmina makes a point to showcase how disinformation has snowballed throughout history; drawing parallels to notable events to explaining the origins of specific language, visuals, myths, and urban legends. I'm not actually a Satanist myself, but I genuinely think this book would make a great gift to anybody who isn't sure where to start on the history of Satanism, or even those who might say they're on the fence or 'cautiously' interested in learning more – like parents or friends who don't realize just how much defamatory Christian propaganda they've been exposed to over the decades. It might help put them at 'ease,' though ideally it also gets them talking to others about what they've learned (yknow, the one time "Actually..." is a welcome sentence starter!).

All in all, it's just wild to think about how misunderstood Satanism has been throughout the centuries. I'm glad such an accessible book exists to cut through the bull and help demystify the religion.

[Halogen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been studying Satanism for over a decade and read many of the existing books on the market about the religion. These other books are for the most part self published or they exhibit a bias towards one of the branches of Satanism. This is why it is a breath of fresh air to now have La Carmina’s ‘The Little Book of Satanism: A Guide to Satanic History, Culture, and Wisdom’ as a resource for Satanism. Because it is put out by a major publisher and from a well established journalist, the quality of the text and the book cover and content are a level up from other books about modern Satanists. The writing flows and is clear and La Carmina includes all the major aspects of the historical basis of Satanism and where it is today without judgment and lets the reader decide for them self instead of pushing an agenda and nitpicking. The forward by Lucien Greaves is an eloquent start, and it impressed me how the book covered so many different topics succinctly and accurately in her engaging voice. La Carmina's ‘The Little Book of Satanism’ is recommended for readers everywhere on the path from having no knowledge of Satanism to having a deep understanding.

[Ryan Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

La Carmina’s book, The Little Book of Satanism, is a succinct explanation of Satan and Satanism. Following a foreword by Lucien Greaves, La Carmina takes on a historical journey from the origination of the concept of Satan and Satan’s deeper, metaphorical significance. Readers are also introduced to a variety of misconceptions and ways the media and popular imaginings have falsely connected Satan/Satanism to Dungeons & Dragons, metal music, and more. Readers will gain a well-rounded understanding of Satan/ism, its major tenets, and core values while at the same time correcting many misconceptions. The book is accessibly written – as noted by the author it is a “little book” meant more of a launching point to other readings that explore the movement more in depth. La Carmina concludes the book by sharing a selected bibliography of additional texts on the topic and a timeline of Satan/ism. Highly recommend to anyone interested in the subject.

[Daniel Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

For decades, those curious about Modern Satanism were left hung out to dry by the publishing industry: Books about the S-word were either dense academic tomes–valuable, but often intimidating for newbies–or amateurish harangues by Satanist writers convinced of their own importance sans merit. Nowhere was there a comprehensive guidebook to give the lay of the land.

La Carmina’s Little Book of Satanism solves the problem with an incisive tour of devilry, from the witch-hunting weirdos of the past to modern media moguls of the present. It’s a fast, sharp, and smart read that bundles up a lot of previously obscure history.

If there’s anything to be critical of, it’s the fact that as a little book of Satanism it has to cram a lot into just a few pages and leaves some things a bit opaque still, and personally we tend to emphasize a more critical view of certain longstanding Satanist religions–but you can’t have it all.

[Julie Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of satanism for the lay person (or new initiate, depending :) La Carmina's excellent, pithy writing style does justice to the fascinating subject matter, providing a lot of food for thought in the process about satanism as a counter-culture outlet for justified rebellion over the centuries. Really fascinating. Highly recommend to all those interested in alternate philosophies and different ways of thinking, in favor of progressive change.

[Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

This concise little book explains all the different facets of Satanism (from the viewpoint of The Satanic Temple). It covers the definition and history of Satanism, historical Satanism and Satanism-adjacent movements, the Age of Enlightenment, Romantic Satanism, the Satanic Panic and modern Satanism. It is not a big book, so cannot perform a deep dive so interested readers are encouraged to consider the literature listed in the bibliography.

[Lili Chin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glancing through the comments on amazon and here, I suppose it's not surprising that a presentation on ANY religion is going to trigger arguments and strong opinions, even if it's a good-natured guidebook, with every intent to create harmony and awareness of what Satanism is to different folks in the 21st century. Kudos to La Carmina for this great little book, and now I suggest everyone also go watch "Hail, Satan" the documentary.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little introduction to Satanism. It's a short, easy read that gives just enough information on each topic covered to get you started. There is then a great little biography at the end to point you in the direction of further reading if you choose to do so.