The Occult Causes of the Present War (Third Large Edition)

47, Princes Gate, London - New York - Melbourne: Rider & Company, 1940. No date; circa 1940. Stated at title page: "Third Impression." Emblem of resting lion atop open book at copyright: "Book Production War Economy Standard." Blue full cloth boards, crisp black spine titles, moderate shelf, corner, edge wear with back corner creased but intact, some water discoloration to front and back boards. Pages very good, clean with attractive toning; no writing. Bind good, some cant; hinges intact. Rare original tan wrapper with dynamic black and red titles, moderate edge wear, rub, discoloration; clipped, protected in new clear sleeve. Wrapper is somewhat horizontally over-long for book with titles stretching over into covers with the spine titles centered. Front panel states: "Third Large Edition." Near good, fairly clean and complete rare original of this highly intriguing war-time material. From cover: "Lewis Spence, Author of 'Will Europe Follow Atlantis?' and 'The Occult Sciences in Atlantis,' etc." Three titles with summaries from Rider & Co. at back panel: "How to Win the War of Nerves" by H. Ernest Hunt; "The Christian Paradox" by Cyril Scott; and, "The Marriage of Elizabeth Tudor" by Alfred Dodd. From devastating front flap summary edited: "Are forces darker and more mysterious than those normally written, spoken and conceived of (by the public) in international politics, the actual cause of the great upheaval which at present convulses the civilised world? Here, Lewis Spence, renowned Scotish researcher of myth and lore, reveals the nature and existence of hidden powers at work behind the Nazi organization. Spence postulates the Nazis and the political party are the outward surface, through which manifestation of satanist and diabolic agencies are employed for their malignant purposes. Not only is the existence of such powers implicit in the arcane history of Germany, but they have survived there for generations, and their traditions, powerful and never-resting, now inspire the Party, and are being utilized as their instruments to overthrow the Christian faith and obliterate Europe's 'higher' life. Spence argues, and thesis of this study is, that 'all' or most economic and political revolt has, at its root, the hidden presence of Luciferian or Satanic influences, practices, and worship, bent on destroying existing tenets of Christian society. The machinations of these powers, their desire for war and chaos, efforts to shatter Christian churches, render the people facile and abject, and inspire the people with hateful and demonic ideals, and the evil personalities associated with this satanic purpose, are shown in their true colours. This book places an entirely new face upon the greatest struggle in history- the most desperate moment in the age-long conflict between darkness and light. Chapter contents with highlights of detailed descriptions: "Chapter I. The Satanic element of Nazism; II. The Satanic Power; III. Satanic Power in Old Germany; IV. Witchcraft and the Vehmgerichte; V. Satanic Power in Modern Germany; VI. Nazi Pagan Doctrine; VII. Nazi Pagan Church; VIII. Nazism and Satanism." References cited at back pages. Made and Printed in Great Britain at Gainsborough Press, St. Albans, by Fisher, Knight & Co., Limited. 144 pages. Insured post.. Third Impression. Hard Cover. Good/Good. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.