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Dead Names: The Dark History of the Necronomicon – The Untold Story of Lovecraft's Stolen Grimoire
The dark history of the Necronomicon––one of the world's most feared and fascinating books––told by the one man who saw it all...and lived to tell the tale.
The Necronomicon is one of the most controversial books ever published. The master of Gothic suspense, H.P. Lovecraft, wrote about a mystical and dreaded grimoire, known as the Necronomicon––an ancient text written by an Arab that, if it were to fall into the wrong hands, could have disastrous consequences. But no one thought the Necronomicon had any basis in the world outside of Lovecraft's fiction. Until...
Simon was a young man drawn to the mysterious world of the occult through his association with several Eastern Orthodox religions and his friendship with the owner of an occult bookstore in Brooklyn. In 1972 he stumbled upon a stolen text in a friend's apartment, unaware that what he held in his hands was the real Necronomicon––something long thought to be a creation of Lovecraft's brilliant mind and deft pen. After an arduous translation, done in the utmost secrecy (since the tome was in fact stolen), Simon and his close circle of friends unveiled the now–infamous grimoire to a clamoring public.
In Dead Names, Simon tells the amazing true story that surrounds the Necronomicon. From the main players' humble beginnings in the pageantry–filled and secret world of Eastern Orthodox religion, to the accidental discovery of the Necronomicon, to the Son of Sam murders, the JFK assassination , the brilliant William S. Burroughs, and the eventual suspicious deaths of almost everyone involved with the grimoire, this book is an enthralling account of a book steeped in legend, lies, and murder.
The Necronomicon is one of the most controversial books ever published. The master of Gothic suspense, H.P. Lovecraft, wrote about a mystical and dreaded grimoire, known as the Necronomicon––an ancient text written by an Arab that, if it were to fall into the wrong hands, could have disastrous consequences. But no one thought the Necronomicon had any basis in the world outside of Lovecraft's fiction. Until...
Simon was a young man drawn to the mysterious world of the occult through his association with several Eastern Orthodox religions and his friendship with the owner of an occult bookstore in Brooklyn. In 1972 he stumbled upon a stolen text in a friend's apartment, unaware that what he held in his hands was the real Necronomicon––something long thought to be a creation of Lovecraft's brilliant mind and deft pen. After an arduous translation, done in the utmost secrecy (since the tome was in fact stolen), Simon and his close circle of friends unveiled the now–infamous grimoire to a clamoring public.
In Dead Names, Simon tells the amazing true story that surrounds the Necronomicon. From the main players' humble beginnings in the pageantry–filled and secret world of Eastern Orthodox religion, to the accidental discovery of the Necronomicon, to the Son of Sam murders, the JFK assassination , the brilliant William S. Burroughs, and the eventual suspicious deaths of almost everyone involved with the grimoire, this book is an enthralling account of a book steeped in legend, lies, and murder.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 28, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 5, 2007
Completely engrossing. Coming from someone who pretty much regarded the Simon Necronomicon as hoax, Dead Names makes me pause in that assumption. I haven't really made my mind up one way or another, but it was interesting to see at what lengths Simon would defend his grimoire, and how compelling that defense is.
The most fascinating aspect of Dead Names, however, has little to do with the Necronomicon for me. The tales of the burgeoning NY occult underground had me rapt.
All in all an inspirational and entertaining little paperback that I tore through in a weekend. I recommend only to those who are open-minded about both the occult and the Necronomicon (both Lovecraftian and Simonian).
The most fascinating aspect of Dead Names, however, has little to do with the Necronomicon for me. The tales of the burgeoning NY occult underground had me rapt.
All in all an inspirational and entertaining little paperback that I tore through in a weekend. I recommend only to those who are open-minded about both the occult and the Necronomicon (both Lovecraftian and Simonian).
April 13, 2016
Published by Avon books and made available to the masses at a very low price, is the Necronimicon, easily one of the most controversial grimoires ever released. The controversy surrounding this grimoire is not about the demons or angels you conjure but rather authenticity. Is the the Necronomicon a real grimoire or was it a joke written over a bottle of wine?
Simon the author of the book and also the Necronimicon says the grimoire is legit . The Necronomicon was a grimoire that was prevalent throughout the works of HP Lovecraft. People thought it was Lovecraft's invention. Simon says otherwise.
Things started out in the 70's maybe even the late 60's if you go back far enough. The book opens up with the suicide of Anthony Pratzky, A Slavonic Priest, with his own Slavic Church. He was a laborer. His son William ANdrew Pratzky was also a priest. Needless to say a lot was going on with these churches, politically and religiously. These churches were anto soviet and were a place for spies to meet up and spy on other. There were also wandering priest who may or may not have had proper credentials. Peter Levenda and Pratzky became priest. Levenda was into magic and Pratzky was gay and into the rituals. As priests they had their series of adventures. Their spiritual pursuits would lead them to Herman Slater of the Magick Childe in New York. Eventually there would be an issue of book theft by two priests and one of those books was a greek version of the "Necronomicon"
Once having received the book they had to go through all sorts of subterfuge to get the book translated and then finally published. THe book convers all the trials and tribulation of getting the book translated and published. According to Simon the Necornomicon is a grimoire that has passed through the ages and has chants and deities from Sumerian times. Once cannot call it true Sumerian because though the ages it has been watered down and changed. It is not Judeo Christian.
Most of the book is dedicated to explaining how the Necronomicon is in fact a middle eastern grimoire. THere are seven levels of enlightenment or spiritual journey. Inanna , Goddess of love and war, made several such journeys. Once to the underworld and next to the outer reaches of space to steal secrets from An. Azif was the noise the Jinn made in the desert. The author goes on to analyze the word Cthulhu, as an ancient middle eastern word which is mentioned in other Middle Eastern works, and even in the Koran. Kutulu means man from the Underworld or the one who deserted us. In the Middle East there was a city called Cutha. It is where, some say, that the Samaritan originated from. The head god of Cutha was Nergal, SUmerian God of the Underworld. Of course when they went to Samaria they changed their practices. THe word , Cthulhugan is mentioned in the Koran as well. To note that Muhammad's tribe the Quraysh had extensive ties to Mesopotamia and were heavily influenced by them.
What happened to the Sumerians once they were driven out of their land and conquered. THe author and various others would tell youn that the Yezidiee are descended from them as are the Toda people of India. THis is based on linguistic , god names and art motifs that bear similarity .
I read this book rather quickly and found that I enjoyed reading the story behind one of the most controversial books to be printed. The author has done some good research on the Middle East and I have learned things that I have not previously known before. THe last part of the book covers some opposing sides of the argument surrounding the NEcronomican and it validity and safety of usage. Enjoy
Simon the author of the book and also the Necronimicon says the grimoire is legit . The Necronomicon was a grimoire that was prevalent throughout the works of HP Lovecraft. People thought it was Lovecraft's invention. Simon says otherwise.
Things started out in the 70's maybe even the late 60's if you go back far enough. The book opens up with the suicide of Anthony Pratzky, A Slavonic Priest, with his own Slavic Church. He was a laborer. His son William ANdrew Pratzky was also a priest. Needless to say a lot was going on with these churches, politically and religiously. These churches were anto soviet and were a place for spies to meet up and spy on other. There were also wandering priest who may or may not have had proper credentials. Peter Levenda and Pratzky became priest. Levenda was into magic and Pratzky was gay and into the rituals. As priests they had their series of adventures. Their spiritual pursuits would lead them to Herman Slater of the Magick Childe in New York. Eventually there would be an issue of book theft by two priests and one of those books was a greek version of the "Necronomicon"
Once having received the book they had to go through all sorts of subterfuge to get the book translated and then finally published. THe book convers all the trials and tribulation of getting the book translated and published. According to Simon the Necornomicon is a grimoire that has passed through the ages and has chants and deities from Sumerian times. Once cannot call it true Sumerian because though the ages it has been watered down and changed. It is not Judeo Christian.
Most of the book is dedicated to explaining how the Necronomicon is in fact a middle eastern grimoire. THere are seven levels of enlightenment or spiritual journey. Inanna , Goddess of love and war, made several such journeys. Once to the underworld and next to the outer reaches of space to steal secrets from An. Azif was the noise the Jinn made in the desert. The author goes on to analyze the word Cthulhu, as an ancient middle eastern word which is mentioned in other Middle Eastern works, and even in the Koran. Kutulu means man from the Underworld or the one who deserted us. In the Middle East there was a city called Cutha. It is where, some say, that the Samaritan originated from. The head god of Cutha was Nergal, SUmerian God of the Underworld. Of course when they went to Samaria they changed their practices. THe word , Cthulhugan is mentioned in the Koran as well. To note that Muhammad's tribe the Quraysh had extensive ties to Mesopotamia and were heavily influenced by them.
What happened to the Sumerians once they were driven out of their land and conquered. THe author and various others would tell youn that the Yezidiee are descended from them as are the Toda people of India. THis is based on linguistic , god names and art motifs that bear similarity .
I read this book rather quickly and found that I enjoyed reading the story behind one of the most controversial books to be printed. The author has done some good research on the Middle East and I have learned things that I have not previously known before. THe last part of the book covers some opposing sides of the argument surrounding the NEcronomican and it validity and safety of usage. Enjoy
June 19, 2012
This is really only moderately to less-than-moderately entertaining (its only value). The writing is amateurish (the same as the supposed "Necronomicon" that Simon aka [IMHO] Peter Levenda "translated") and often pointless. Major points in the beginning of the "narrative" become contradicted or ignored later (e.g., Herman Slater's "50% cut" of the _Necronomicon_ profits becomes a mere 40% retailer's mark-down when it suits Levenda's polemical position). The arguments against Harms and Gonce contain some interesting points, but they are undercut by "Simon" pulling the same sort of "confused" readings of H&G's text that they supposedly made of the _Necronomicon_: taking quotes out of context, ignoring entire points that don't suit Levenda's argument, etc. (yes "Simon," I read both books, much to the discredit of your argument). Makes me wonder if Levenda's "actual" "scholarly" work is worth anything or not. Also: all Levenda's arguments in support of the authenticity of the N text don't prove anything at all. He still can't get around the fact that Lovecraft created the fictional tome, that it is, in fact, an evil tome and a curse to whoever reads it, that Lovecraft never had any contact whatsoever with Crowley, etc., etc. Yes, "Simon:" I'm against YOUR _Necronomicon_, not because I think it is a "book of power," but because "ceremonial magic" AND your hoax are both bullshit, lies to part marks from their money. Your true agenda shows in your willingness to take advantage of the deaths of your supposed friends in order to sensationalize your mundane story in order to sell more copies of this pile of dog crap. You really think Larry Barnes deserved to be used as a cheap marketing ploy by playing up his death as caused by his involvement with a fictional, useless grimoire? VERY moral high ground.
September 6, 2021
Dead Names is a very entertaining read up to the last chapter, and I'll get to that in a minute. I'm extremely skeptical when it comes to non-scientific beliefs, so I read this as if it were a horror story; like Michelle Remembers or Communion by Whitley Strieber. I don't have to believe what the author believes, but I'm enjoying the ride.
The last chapter in the book, Simon refutes a lot of what is said in a book called The Necronomicon Files. There are a few things that struck out to me: "A search through the Endnotes to The Necronomicon Files is an indication of the academic sources he consulted, and it is a rather thin list" p.291. Simon provides some sources scattered throughout Dead Names, but no where close to the 25 pages of The Necronomicon Files' Endnotes. On page 297, Simon states "I have no idea who Nester is [referencing someone interviewed for The Necronomicon Files], and he obviously doesn't know me either, since his references seem to be full of errors." Readers have no idea who Simon is and in the Acknowledgements of Dead Names Simon mentions having to "attribute conduct to myself to protect the privacy of others..." and omitting other people's names.
Minus the double standards and defensive stance Simon takes at the end of the book, Dead Names is a fun read. There were many moments that made me want to look up various facts about cultures or history.
The last chapter in the book, Simon refutes a lot of what is said in a book called The Necronomicon Files. There are a few things that struck out to me: "A search through the Endnotes to The Necronomicon Files is an indication of the academic sources he consulted, and it is a rather thin list" p.291. Simon provides some sources scattered throughout Dead Names, but no where close to the 25 pages of The Necronomicon Files' Endnotes. On page 297, Simon states "I have no idea who Nester is [referencing someone interviewed for The Necronomicon Files], and he obviously doesn't know me either, since his references seem to be full of errors." Readers have no idea who Simon is and in the Acknowledgements of Dead Names Simon mentions having to "attribute conduct to myself to protect the privacy of others..." and omitting other people's names.
Minus the double standards and defensive stance Simon takes at the end of the book, Dead Names is a fun read. There were many moments that made me want to look up various facts about cultures or history.
October 31, 2012
good bit of basic facts and wild speculation- like a low rent cross between kenneth grant and robert anton wilson- but not nearly as fun. a good companion book to james wasserman's "In the Center of the Fire" about the NYC magic scene.
the thing about simon's "Necronomicon" that is often overlooked- it is a much more coherent ant interesting text and basis for rituals than anything i've seen come from wicca and anything i've seen come from chaos magicians. If indeed it is made up- well by all means make up more.
castenada took a lot of shit for basically ripping his shit off from anthropological journals- bully for him i say- it's not like america was pounding on the doors to rifle through academic journals on shamanism. footnote it and re-release it i say.
the thing about simon's "Necronomicon" that is often overlooked- it is a much more coherent ant interesting text and basis for rituals than anything i've seen come from wicca and anything i've seen come from chaos magicians. If indeed it is made up- well by all means make up more.
castenada took a lot of shit for basically ripping his shit off from anthropological journals- bully for him i say- it's not like america was pounding on the doors to rifle through academic journals on shamanism. footnote it and re-release it i say.
December 16, 2020
Interesting book and look into the New York Underworld of Secret societies ,Serial killers ,Priests and witches back in the 70's. According to SIMON {who is from what I hear actually Peter Levenda] he came across old Sumerian manuscripts that he translated into what would become the SIMON- Necronomicon at the same the Son Of Sam Murders were going on. He connects all of this to a couple of Occult bookstores that were in NYC that cults and killers frequented and used to make connections and advance there agendas. I do not know how much of the book is true but it is interesting, I also will add it has little to do with Lovecraft.
March 15, 2016
This book explains how the Necronomicon was published in 1977. It explains how the few people who made the translation met and found the sumerian manuscript. Simon added a lot of explanation on ancient civilizations to prove the Necronomicon is real. He explains also the similarities between the "real" Necronomicon and the Myth of Cthulhu by Lovecraft.
Finally, the books shows how was the occult stuff (people, business, etc) in the US in the 70's
Finally, the books shows how was the occult stuff (people, business, etc) in the US in the 70's
December 1, 2008
Entertaining. I enjoyed the chapters on the history of the New York occult scene in the seventies, Witch Wars, Magickal Childe, etc.
September 13, 2009
I'm still in the middle of reading it. It is a history detailing the events in the peoples lives that led up to the bringing of the necronomicon (Simons versino) to the public eye.
December 12, 2011
interesting book from a genre that is typically not on my reading list
March 13, 2019
A great read. It was so much more than a book about the Necronomicon. It had so much history, it felt like a blast from the past.
June 9, 2022
"Dead Names: The Dark History Of The Necronomicon" by Simon is the tale of how a couple of teenagers created a false ministry in order to avoid the draft, only to inadvertently come across the manuscript that would become the staple of the occult section in Barnes and Nobles everywhere. This book is best when read as a sleazy true crime novel.
The setting is 1970's New York, in the background there are drug-fueled orgies, leather bars, spooky cults sacrificing dogs, a crazy serial killer going around shooting people in lovers lanes and all kinds of weird Shenanigans. The author shares gossip about many figures in the occult scene at the time but never in a way that comes off as bitchy.
Simon addresses the elephant in the room, that being the constant accusations since its publication that the 1977 "Necronomicon" is a hoax. Personally I think it doesn't really matter if Simon pulled the thing out of his ass or if it was based on an ancient Sumerian text, either way the book is cursed.
Overall I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who's a big fan of the 1977 "Necronimicon". I would recommend watching the series "The Sons of Sam" either right before or after reading this book, the 2 pieces of media pair perfectly.
The setting is 1970's New York, in the background there are drug-fueled orgies, leather bars, spooky cults sacrificing dogs, a crazy serial killer going around shooting people in lovers lanes and all kinds of weird Shenanigans. The author shares gossip about many figures in the occult scene at the time but never in a way that comes off as bitchy.
Simon addresses the elephant in the room, that being the constant accusations since its publication that the 1977 "Necronomicon" is a hoax. Personally I think it doesn't really matter if Simon pulled the thing out of his ass or if it was based on an ancient Sumerian text, either way the book is cursed.
Overall I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who's a big fan of the 1977 "Necronimicon". I would recommend watching the series "The Sons of Sam" either right before or after reading this book, the 2 pieces of media pair perfectly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2024
I was sure that I read this when it was released, but I thought I'd give it another read before I began reading Tyson's Necronomicon duology again.
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this one. Simon (possibly Peter Levenda), in this lengthy historical treatise upon the New York occult scene of the 70's, attempts to prove the legitimacy of his grimoire called the 'Necronomicon'.
Mostly what 'Dead Names' did for me was to make me want to reread legitimate occult writers I respect - Simon in my opinion hides behind a pseudonym. If you can't put your name on something as important as the best selling grimoire ever manufactured, fictional or not, you loose credibility.
'Simon' used this book more of as a way to convince readers of how 'different' and avante garde is cool friends were than in proving to me his 'Necronomicon' is anything but a fabrication. He claims he was ignorant of Lovecraft -a laughable claim in my mind. One of the ways he finally legitimizes his 'Necronomicon' is by telling us how many of those cool friends have died...yep.
Let me sum up this book for you; Simon, in the end, wants the reader to be convinced that no grimoire is non-fictional, therefore his 'Necronomicon' is real too.
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this one. Simon (possibly Peter Levenda), in this lengthy historical treatise upon the New York occult scene of the 70's, attempts to prove the legitimacy of his grimoire called the 'Necronomicon'.
Mostly what 'Dead Names' did for me was to make me want to reread legitimate occult writers I respect - Simon in my opinion hides behind a pseudonym. If you can't put your name on something as important as the best selling grimoire ever manufactured, fictional or not, you loose credibility.
'Simon' used this book more of as a way to convince readers of how 'different' and avante garde is cool friends were than in proving to me his 'Necronomicon' is anything but a fabrication. He claims he was ignorant of Lovecraft -a laughable claim in my mind. One of the ways he finally legitimizes his 'Necronomicon' is by telling us how many of those cool friends have died...yep.
Let me sum up this book for you; Simon, in the end, wants the reader to be convinced that no grimoire is non-fictional, therefore his 'Necronomicon' is real too.
September 20, 2022
Spurious attempt to write a backstory to the "Simon" Necronomicon, and to provide a rebuttal to The Necronomicon Files which exposed the weaknesses of the hoax. The rebuttal section works better than expected, largely because it attacks the points made in the weaker "I Am A Real Occultist And I Am Offended" half of that book, rather than the stronger "I Am A Sceptic And I Have Thoroughly Debunked This" half. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/202...
July 12, 2017
Unfortunately, there are no good reasons to believe that the Necronomicon is real. Simon’s arguments are lame, selective and unconvincing, and reading the latter half of this book felt like Chariots of the Gods or some other wishy-washy work of pseudo-academia. I mean, to prove his points, Simon repeatedly references a book by one of the author’s of Holy Blood, Holy Grail, perhaps the most infamously debunked book of conspiracies ever written. Come on Simon, you’re fooling no-one.
Read my full review here.
Read my full review here.
July 18, 2007
If you like conspiracy theories and occult investigation, you'll probably enjoy this book. I thought it was just ok.
July 28, 2011
Yeah, it is a hoax..
September 1, 2014
Decent read but spotty and disjointed at times
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews