About the author
Francis Henry King (4 March 1923 – 3 July 2011) was a British novelist and short-story writer. He worked for the British Council for 15 years, with positions in Europe and Japan. For 25 years, he was a chief book reviewer for the Sunday Telegraph, and for 10 years its theatre critic. == Early life and Council career == King was born on 4 March 1923 in Adelboden, Switzerland, to a father in the Indian Civil Service, brought up in British India and sent back to England when his father was dying. As a boy, he was shunted around among aunts and uncles. He was educated at Shrewsbury School and Balliol College, Oxford. During the Second World War he was a conscientious objector and left Oxford to work on the land. After completing his degree in 1949, King worked for the British Council. His positions with them took him to Italy, Salonika, and finally Kyoto. While he was in Greece he met the uninhibited writer Anne Cumming, who was also working for the British Council. She enjoyed observing his homosexual adventures. In 1964 he resigned to write full-time, by then he had already published nine novels, as well as poetry and a memoir.
📖 Where to start with Francis King
Concepts in these books
💬 What our editors say about Francis King's books
“Francis King delivers a meticulous guide that balances theoretical depth with practical application, making high magic approachable for the serious student. The text excels in demystifying complex rituals such as astral…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Techniques of High Magic: A Manual of Self-Initiation
“King delivers a rigorous, no-nonsense guide to ceremonial magic that prioritizes practical application over abstract philosophy. The text excels in detailing the consecration of tools and the harnessing of natural forces for…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Techniques of High Magic: A Handbook of Divination, Alchemy, and the Evocation of Spirits (Original)
“Francis King presents a compelling archive of the Golden Dawn's inner workings, yet this text is not for casual readers or those seeking introductory overviews. The material demands patience and prior familiarity with Hermetic…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Ritual Magic of the Golden Dawn: Works by S. L. MacGregor Mathers and Others (New of Astral Projection, Ritual Magic, and Alchemy)
📋 Editions by Francis King in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Techniques of High Magic: A Manual of Self-Initiation | 2016 | Golden Hoard Press | 258 | 9780993204234 |
| Techniques of High Magic: A Handbook of Divination, Alchemy, and | — | Destiny Books | 240 | 9780892818181 |
| Ritual Magic of the Golden Dawn: Works by S. L. MacGregor Mather | 1997 | Destiny Books | 288 | 9780892816170 |
| Tantra: The Way of Action: A Practical Guide to Its Teachings an | 1990 | Destiny Books | 160 | 9780892812745 |
