As a religious institution consecrated by and literally acknowledging the Prince of Darkness, the Church of Satan enjoyed an inspiring, and occasionally either thrilling or terrifying, existence from 1966 to 1975. Beginning as a whimsical and satirical countercultural statement against the social and institutionally-religious hypocrisy of the 1960s, the Church gradually evolved into a positive, sincere, and [to its own surprise] virtuous organization, though not without periodic individual and group growing pains: the consequence of allegiance to a supernatural entity only dimly apprehended and understood by Western Judæo-Christianized civilization.From its 1979 1st Edition to this 2013 8th, The Church of Satan remains the only complete documentary history of that fascinating and bizarre adventure, from Anton & Diane LaVey's founding of the Church in their San Francisco home to its surprising dissolution into a secular business a decade later and metaphysical supersession by the Temple of Set.Ever since its 1981 2nd Edition, The Church of Satan's growing size made it impossible to print. This 8th Edition finally fits all of the text and plates into fewer than 500 pages: 285,300 words, 39 chapters, 73 color plates.[A companion The Church of Satan II volume (imminently also available in this same format & distribution) contains all 161 Appendices in a similar-sized B&W book. Both volumes should be acquired and read together.]