xxviii 
PREFACE 
must have been endowed with some divine quality and must 
not be tampered with-so 
runs their belief. It is quite 
irrational. Crowley himself would have been the first to 
admit this, though he has often admitted that he was 
altogether incapable of editing his own material. The only 
thing ever to issue from his pen which he demanded must 
never be edited was a group of select writings called The Holy 
Books. and above all, The Book of the Law. "Change not so 
much as the style of a letter .... " 
What I have deleted is mostly rambling or repetitious 
statements, a few quotations from Robert Browning-none of 
which in any case interfere with the meaning of any 
particular passage. This is then the cardinal rule that has 
applied at all times during the surgical intervention to the 
text of these letters. Nothing has been changed that might 
alter his free flow of ideas or the intrinsic meaning of the 
communication. 
Thus the bulk of the volume has been 
reduced, but it has been tightened up considerably, thus 
making for easier reading. There were a few letters so 
complete and firmly written that no editing was required in 
the least. 
Stray bits of revealing insight without parallel elsewhere 
shine here and there. For example, he is almost at his best in 
letter 20 on the significance of Lamens and Talismans and 
Pantacles. It is worth comparing his clarity here with some 
earlier elucidations, notably the delightful Part II of Book 4 
or in Magick in Theory and Practice. Invariably it turns out 
that no real comparison can be made, though in these letters 
there is a maturity and clarity that is not found in either of 
the books just mentioned . 
Again, when he discusses Gods and Angels, he is so direct 
and matter of fact as to be altogether impressive. He makes 
no attempt to be sanctimonious, other-worldly or guru-like, 
but deals with abstruse problems easily, without being afraid 
to say occasionally "I don't know." One is impressed by his 
honesty and forthrightness. There is no other writer on this 
subject today who can hold a candle to him.