The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed and Lorraine Warren

I purchased my copy of this book over 20 years ago. I would assume it was from the first, un-cut printing. I have always enjoyed reading about all things paranormal. At the time that I purchased this book, I had already read several Stephen King novels and many other books from the horror and paranormal genres (fictional and non-fictional), so I thought I was in for just another good read. Little did I know that this book would become the measuring stick from which I would compare every other "scary" book or movie since. My reaction pretty much mirrors what other reviewers have said. Not only did it keep me awake at night, I really didn't want to be alone very much after reading it. Sometimes, it seems that the motion picture industry and other media portrays the supernatural with special affects and plot lines that are "over-the-top", this book brought the supernatural to a grass-roots, "this could happen to me" level. Although I'm naturally a skeptical sort and take most things with a grain of salt, I've never really been able to "move on" from this book. I'm not a professional reviewer (I don't even qualify as a layman), I've just read a lot of books over the years. Not one of them affected me the way that "The Demonologist" did. Even now, after all this time, (25 years, give or take), the memory of some of the events portrayed in this book scares the crap out of me. If you enjoy reading about the paranormal, pick this one up. You may, or may not, ever forget it.....

I know I was not prepared for this. I love horror movies and books, have seen the Exorcist, the Omen, Rosemary's Baby, The Exorcist III, etc. I have read both the Exorcist and it's sequel, Legion. And I have even seen the Warrens' seminar four times. I sat down with this book expecting a good scare and some good entertainment. What I got was something else altogether. To start, The Exorcist is a cakewalk compared to this. It puts any Stephen King or H. P. Lovecraft story to shame. It's simply the most frightening book I have ever read. This is partly due to how convincing it is and partly do to how it portrays real horror. It describes the intelligence and strategy of the demonic spirit, and the insanity, terror, and consequences they're capable of. The Exorcist seems like a very mild case of exorcism after reading this. But more importantly, this book makes you think. It wasn't written to scare or even to shock. It was written to inform. I didn't come into this a believer, either in the supernatural or religion. I was a curious enthusiast who found the Warrens to be fascinating, even if they are just conartists. (Maybe they are, maybe they aren't. I don't care.) But since I've finished it I've had to completely reevaluate my stance on religion. I think it gives a deeper understanding of true evil and a very real God. This book didn't make me run out and find Jesus, but it did make me rethink religion. One very important reason for this is that the book, even though the Warrens are Catholics, doesn't cater to one faith. Instead it paints a picture of religion that includes all faiths. It basically backs up the belief that all major religions worship the same God, just in different ways. The case for the existence of demonic spirits is so carefully thought out, so tactfully delivered that one can't help but wonder. I couldn't help starting to believe. This is a very different type of book than The Exorcist or Rosemary's Baby. For one I found reading it at night unbearable. The book goes on to make the bizarre and ridiculous stories like Amityville seem so much more possible. After reading this the so-called "evidence" that these stories are hoaxes will seem laughable. It will be clear that those people just don't understand. Many reviews here will tell you that strange things happened to the reader while they were reading the book. This is ridiculous and untrue. For one, this book is doing just what the Devil doesn't want, exposing his truth. Reading it is quite safe and will make you less likely to experience something like this. Knowledge is key. The greatest trick the Devil ever played was convincing the world that he doesn't exist. So I urge you to read this. You won't forget it. You won't regret it.

After reading this book I was compelled to try and punch a hole in the "facts" it presented. When my research was compleated I realized that this book is one of the most accurate and terrifying acounts of Demonic activity available. Ed and Lorraine Warren are to be commended and respected for their dangerous work as excorsist and medium. They have endured more than any human should be expected to, and still they continue. Anyone that thinks their house is haunted should read this book. It provides important information about human and inhuman spirits that will startle and amaze. If you have thought of toying with black magic or sorcery, it would behoove you to look into the contents of these pages and reconsider your decisions. This book was my first glimpse at the supernatural. If what it holds between its covers is true, I hope it will be my last!

This book was well done, although the writer did take some liberties an adulterize the dialogue--in other words, he corrected grammar and used non-daily vocabulary that leads me to believe that he wrote his own dialogue for those parts. However, the book does bring up some interesting points about demons that need to be said in our modern times:1) The Ouija board is not a harmless game. By inviting spirits to communicate, a door is thrown open to infestation, oppression, and eventual possession by demonic spirits.2) Black magic is not a tool easily wielded by humans. Black magic asks demons to carry out your bidding; the price of labor usually amounts to the tune of your soul.3) Demons have, do, and will continue to exist in the world. Because of the public interest, books of real rituals are being printed up and "sold like candy," and so demonic phenomena has begun to be on the rise.4) Exorcism is a secret ritual that is still performed today. In one year, an average of about six hundered exorcisms is approved and carried out by Church Officials (exorcism is normally carried out by Catholic clergy).5) Just some trivia: Demons are the slave force of hell. Devils are their managers. To name a demon or devil specifically is to acknowledge it and give it power over you and the physical realm (ghosts and demons inhabit the metaphysical realm).6) Ghosts are human spirits that are the remnant of the dead--someone you don't know. Apparitions are ghosts of someone you know. Demons--and angels, for what are demons but fallen angels--have never been alive and never will be. They have been walking the Earth since before the end of time.7) Never confront a demon in any form for any reason.Stuff I can corroborate with other books on the subject. Be careful with yourselves.