Depending on the density of the book, I'm a pretty rapid reader. If I've not read it before, the average novel takes me about a day or so, less if I don't do anything else. Most of the political commentary I read takes considerably less than that. History takes longer, depending on how familiar I am with the era under discussion. Popular science books take a little less. The stuff on magick and Pagan studies I tend to skim, looking for material that I haven't seen before. If I don't agree with a book, I put off finishing it or even reading it.

But every once in a while, there is a true jewel, something that makes me stop and think about it carefully. Something that I can't skim over a meal or browse while I am waiting on someone because it takes my full attention. The Forge of Tubal Cain is just such a book. I'm still reading it, taking it slow and tasting it like a fine meal. This is one of those books that I really wish I had found years ago.

There is so much in this book that is valuable, it's impossible to point out just a few things. But there is one point that really stands out, that's the after-ritual examination.

I won't go into the questions they use because I am really, really encouraging you to buy the book and read it for yourself. I do believe that a strict regimen of examination would go far in keeping the practitioner out of a self-constructed fantasyland. It requires honesty, discipline, and the ability to evaluate results.

It also bears more than a passing resemblance to the continuous improvement processes I used (moderately successfully) as a Corporate Clone. Perhaps I haven't made this a regular part of my rites and rituals (that is changing), but I have enough experience to know that if you try to fudge results on a CSP CIP it blows up. Usually sooner rather than later.

Of course, that never happened to me (whistles innocently).

What, never?

No, never.

What, never?

Well, hardly ever!

Seriously though, and without the Gillbert & Sullivan, this is a book that will repay your study.