Bob Larson is an American radio and television evangelist, and a pastor of Spiritual Freedom Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Larson has authored numerous books critical of rock music and Satanism.
I guess if I was to rate it on what I expected, it would have received 3 or 4 stars, but I have to be honest. This book is terrible. Although it does state some facts, most are taken out of context. Like for example, a caller who says he's a Satanist and wants to sacrifice things because he loves listening to Slayer. Well Bob makes Slayer out to be evil and bad guys because they aren't willing to write a letter to this kid to tell him to stop worshiping Satan. They did say that his parents and family should talk to him and get more involved in their kid's life, but they are not going to try to take the place of good parenting. More than half of the book is either proven lies or statements taken out of context. I love how he says that Dungeons and Dragons has been proven to be linked to 123 murders and suicides. I'm sure anything could be linked to murders and suicides; Twinkies, Prozac, The Bible? He is a huckster, which I already knew, but I wanted to read this book just the same.
Bob Larson (AKA The Lyin' King, Beggin' Bob) was (still?) a Christian radio talk show host, "author" and public speaker that claims, among other things, to be an expert on the Occult. You can add comedian to his list of titles, because he only repackaged the same Satanic Panic propaganda that infested our minds a la Geraldo Rivera. Bob makes blanket statements, uses the terms witchcraft, Satanism, Devil-Worship and occult interchangeably, thereby affirming his lack on knowledge in any of the subjects he tries to refute. Apparently, role playing games, heavy metal, horror movies, and pretty much anything else that does not have the name "Jesus Christ loves you" stamped on it is a product of the Devil, as an effort to drag you down to HELL!!! Bob conveniently leaves out facts and adds in his own opinions terribly disguised as facts, but he is not too worried about that since the flock that reads his drivel has learned by now NOT to question the experts, even if they are self proclaimed. Bob Larson is a lesson in what kind of a Christian NOT to be. It's a funny read after the modern witch hunts has died down, and this book can ben placed on the same shelf as The Satan Seller (Mike Warnke) and The Late Great Planet Earth (Hal Lindsay). It's sad to think that I used to believe Bob was speaking the truth and was a man of honor and it's an awful thing he uses his intimidation (invoking the horrors of hell) to berate the lost and hurting. Incidentally, his talk show was, at the time, the most pranked radio talk show in history, maybe even more than Howard Stern.
One star for its research--however distorted by bias that the details became on these pages.
I didn't expect this to be an uncompromising diatribe against anyone not strictly and 100% Judeo-Christian.
If you adhere to Pagan (not Satanic, but pre-Christian) you are a potential risk to society and people.
Practices in homosexuality is, according to this book, a sign of Witchcraft rituals.
If you listen to angry rock music, you might have homicidal desires that you'll eventually act out.
This book talks about the danger of people lured by the rewards of Satanism because they to begin with suffer from a pre-desensitized numbness that has difficulty distinguishing true evil from what Hollywood has plastered everywhere, made famous, popular, and a long-standing cash-cow.
No shit!
However, Larson shoots himself in the foot by being guilty of the same blindness: there's no distinction for him between the non-malicious, darker, x-rated and STILL non-Christian beliefs and lifestyles from the depraved diabolism of the occult.
This is where witch hunt mentality begins. Why religious persecution exists. Arrogance eloquently expressed to perpetuate unforgiveness towards anyone different than you.
This book just pissed me off. It has the tone to fear anyone who has a different thought than you, and that's another form of evil: prejudice.
One of the worst books ever written. Written by a narcissistic charlatan failed fundamentalist bullshit artist who uses the thinnest of evidence to argue that only he (via Jesus and your money) can save you from "rock and roll." I was mad on almost every page. This asshole wasted my time! He now pimps his daughters in his lucrative "exorcism" business.
I've always really enjoyed hating Bob Larson. here is an audio clip of him talking to a teenage girl about her love of The Cure. Give it a listen, and then you too can hate Bob Larson!
Readability? Entertainment value? 5 stars all the way. One of the most fun and comprehensive Satanic Panic-era books there is. A mix of teenage trolling, outright lies, moral panic, and religious fervor combine together to create one of the most batshit “nonfiction” books you’ll ever read. Definitely recommend.
This book is a tour de force of sheer lunacy. Quite enjoyable. I especially liked the bits where he thinks D&D players are satanic and prone to violence.