About the author
Gary Lachman is an American writer and cultural historian who first became known as a founding bassist of the band Blondie before turning to writing about esotericism, consciousness and the occult undercurrents of Western culture. His books include The Secret Teachers of the Western World, which traces an esoteric tradition running alongside mainstream Western intellectual history from Pythagoras to twentieth-century thinkers such as Jean Gebser, and Dark Star Rising: Magick and Power in the Age of Trump, which examines occult and esoteric influences within contemporary politics. Lachman has also written biographical studies, including Maurice Nicoll: Forgotten Teacher of the Fourth Way, on the psychiatrist who left his career to study with G. I. Gurdjieff and P. D. Ouspensky, and The Return of Holy Russia, on the mystical currents running through Russian history and identity. His work combines cultural history, biography and criticism for readers interested in the occult's influence on wider intellectual and political life.
📖 Where to start with Gary Lachman
💬 What our editors say about Gary Lachman's books
“Lachman delivers a compelling investigation into the subtle yet profound influence of occult philosophies on modern geopolitics. While his tracing of ideas from New Thought to Chaos Magick is fascinating, this work may not suit…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Dark Star Rising: Magick and Power in the Age of Trump
“Abrahamsson and Lachman deliver a rigorous yet accessible exploration of how occult traditions have fueled human creativity. The text effectively contrasts historical counter-cultural movements with the modern digital age,…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Occulture: The Unseen Forces That Drive Culture Forward
“Gary Lachman meticulously traces an esoteric lineage running parallel to mainstream history, offering a candid look at the intellectual underground. This book suits readers interested in the hidden currents shaping Western…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Secret Teachers of the Western World
