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The goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclinedx$8.00
  (17 reviews)
Best Price: $8.00
What you don't know about goths could fill a book!
An artistic culture that revels in the Victorian romantic movement, The goth Bible brings to light the traditions and history of all that is goth. The goth culture has been one of the most controversial and maligned in media history. Presented as homicidal, suicidal and socio-pathic, in the national consciousness goths are coupled with everyone from Marilyn Mason to the murderers of Columbine. But this is not who the goths are. The goth Bible will help bridge the understanding between goths and non-goths.
From their historical origins as a Germanic tribe in the sixth century who fought along side the Romans against the Huns to their current incarnation as creatures of the night, The goth Bible presents the most complete and broad perspective of this society, culled from hundreds of interviews with bands, artist, designers, and goths from all walks of life.
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Customer Reviews
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Good if you don't know much about the 'scene'
By A2GM1VHH7OXT1B on 2005-08-03
This is basically a book of opinions on what goth is and what goth isn't. There are a lot of basic facts about different aspects of the subculture, but nothing really new that hasn't been done before by other authors.
I would like to state that the people calling others 'poseur' in this review section don't have a clue about the subculture. It was originally about being yourself, but according to them you have to be a sheep. Please don't think that all people into the subculture are immature morons.
A book which by a Goth FOR Goths but hoping to reach others!
By A26MFYAJUCLC7C on 2004-11-09
This is actually the very first charming Goth book. We have had a few Goth epics in recent years, from my Net-based tome, to Paul Hodkinson's academic study, Gavin Baddeley coming from a Metal perspective, and Dave Thompson rummaging through the eighties. What is unusual here is that Nancy Kilpatrick hasn't any ego-driven agenda, and has actively sought out Goth opinions to decorate each chapter with. 95 Goths answered 125 questions each to form an alternative spine to this work and it makes it a very different book to the rest. Nancy is best known as a Horror writer but she is a Goth, and clearly delighted to be writing the book, as she also wants this book to help others understand Goth.
You get serious contributions on sex/relationships/Fetish/marriage/Goth children/Corporate Goth/Goth homes, Art and Literature (Old and New), and it ends with a chapter on the Future, even if that felt a little skimpy.
Basically, she goes through things that effect Goth life, from clothes to accoutrements, to relationships, religion, cemeteries, architecture, music and all the expected areas, with quotes and photos from her Goths interviews draping pages like curtains, as their comments go down the outer columns to most spreads. Those interviewed within the chapter text tend to be business-related individuals pertinent to the topic in question. So, in the Fashion or Lifestyle sections you have many a Goth contribution, but also meet Morpheus of Siren, R. Hunter Gough of `Gother Than Thou', Fred H. Berger of Propaganda, Terri of Ipso Facto, Natasha of Meltdown, Steven Of Gothic Beauty, Trish & Snooky of Manic Panic, Sonia (Hair Police), AntiSally (Goth Rosary), the Alchemy boys, Batty (Azrael's Accomplice), Mirabai (Tenebrae) Doktor Joy (Pennangalan Dreams), piercer Pierre Black and those lovely X-tra-X people. You can find a proper analyses of Absinthe, then on a similar vein find the weird story of how Michael Marchet finally got Vampire wine onto the market. Out of one area another little bubble will pop, making it a very pleasant read with unexpected dalliances emerging.
The only disappointing part of me was a curious lack of musical coverage but Nancy has admitted the music side of thing isn't her strong point. She looked for willing musical contributors and some of what they say is unusual.
Oh Hell, you get Clubs, and zines, net.goth, net habits, comics, gardening, Goth sub-species, and so on. It's a big book, commendably detailed in its travels to the heart of Goth and it is, without doubt, the most naturally jubilant, Goth-friendly, book which has so far been printed.
Well Im reasonable...
By AXLSTEKP922A5 on 2005-07-26
I haven't read the book and no im not about to go and call all of you posers. The other reviewer that said if you shop at hottopic your a poser is wrong. Its just clothes. A poser is defined as some one who is pretending to be something their not...if you feel you are true to your self then you are and thats all that matters. Reading a book like this is informational and should not be the the guide to make your self Goth. If your goth then your goth...you shouldnt use a book to be goth...that WILL make you a poser. Its always fun to learn about new things and to see someone elses point of view on things so I say go read it.
Not great, not terrible. Just boring.
By A1Y2XI364FKFU4 on 2006-02-11
To put it simply, this book is just a collection of opinions formatted as though they were fact. The book's "facts," can easily be supported, or disputed. Whether or not the book is actually goth, well, that largely depends on what you think goth is. In the end, no matter what you think goth is, this book is boring. Like a textbook, boring. It's written flatly and boringly. It's neither entertaining nor enlightening. I've enjoyed many history books and books about subculture, but as I said, this book is neither fun to read nor informative. Bottom line: no matter what you think goth is, this book is a bore. If you must have it, you might like it. For a far superior book about the goth subculture, I'd highly suggest Voltaire's "What Is Goth?"
Pretty
By A2SAVDCAUP33MO on 2004-10-19
For the most part, the real important part of this book has got to be the first two chapters. I say this because it overly stresses the most mportant part of the culture. That is, that gothic is what is on the inside, and though it's always a good idea to express ones self on the outside, it is not necessary. The rest of the book just shows things that goths tend to do, and are interested in. Other helpfull things are the mention of gothic artists and writers.
One of the few problems, though, was the unmention of the first gothic novel, either it's there and i missed it or it isn't there, but the mention of Horace Walpole should have been there.
One other problem was that some of the things mentiond about goths made it sound that in order to feel gothic there were things you must buy. Sometimes i thought that, that was what it looked like, but wasn't actually what was said. I believe that some of the book was worded in a way that can cause confusion for those who don't normally know much about it.
One last thing, was that i wished there would have been a spot about those that are gothic and those who actively particapate in the scene. In other words those who aren't into clubs as oppossed
to those who are.
Don't get me wrong, it sounds like i'm complaining too much, but this is a great informational book that everyone should read.
- It's About Time...However...
By A1BRTFP3IOAHK4 on 2004-12-28
I Only wish that it was bigger. More More More. I enjoyed it, being a 30-something goth who has seen and done it all at some point. But still, it is nice to know that there are other people out there that have the same sense of goth humor and choose to live that beautiful and misunderstood lifestyle. Some of it is laughable, some is beautiful, nonetheless several times throughout the book I was reminded of how and why I "became goth" pardon the cliche'...and I reminisced about the wonderful music and people I knew during certain periods of my punk/goth/mod/new-wave/new romantic/artrockbeatnikpagan phases. I wish Nancy Kilpatrick, Voltaire (who wrote the "Oh My Goth" comics and has several cds) and Brandon Neil Ragan (who wrote the gothic cult classic "Grey Garden") would all get together and write the official "GOTH-UMENTARY". They seem like they could pull off the ultimate gothic coffee table book. Anyway, thanks for the cool book
- Amazing
By AP9PU72HEQ87J on 2005-06-01
When I read this book I was really amazed by how they talked about older goths. Now a days most of the people in this world are people trying to be goth by wearing black and makeup but this book showed what real gothic was about..It talked about the gothic bands that were made back in the day Play Dead, and Dead Can Dance, I was amazed if you think your gothic and follow manson think again...Read this book.
- Darkly Enchanting
By A39M90M5CLCVTL on 2004-12-09
As a goth who lives in a city with no other goth friends, I thankfully have my books, music and movies to keep me sane. This book is one of them.
I am glad for Ms. Kilpatrick in that she created a book in which goths and non-goths could appreciate it, especially in this day and age in which this country tolerates goth people but does not fully accept the lifestyle. In fact, I have noticed more and more books that have been published lately concerning the goth subculture, forcing people to look at us and realize that, although we do dress in black and may not follow the path of normal, we still are people who feel, think, love and hate and laugh sometimes.
The book was researched well and I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that some of the people she interviewed were over the age of 25, especially since I am 30 myself.
Overall, a very good book and a very good attempt at explaining our way of life.
- A Great Coffee Table Book
By AB3QPC5IKXXRG on 2005-09-01
this book is ok to skim thru and look up stuff........ i first sat down and read the whole thing....... then after that i kept looking up the web sites for certain things...... its more useful that way...... But if your into this sorta thing get it..... Im happy i did......
- Just to rest the whole case....
By AV93NKHDIR03H on 2005-10-14
...it's spelled "poseurs", not "posers".
Most likely, if you don't know how to spell it correctly, you very well may be one...
- Couldve been better
By A14YD28H614RE7 on 2004-10-29
Ok..I ran out out and bought this book as soon as I heard about it. I love Nancy's fiction books and thought this would be a great Gothic compdeum(sp) of the Gothic History and subculture has has gone on despite the norms stating its a fad.
Alas it was not to be. I wanted interviews from those in the scene..babygoths to eldergoths but what I got was a brief history and a lot of websites I couldve googled for.
I think Nancy had the right idea but I feel the book could have been fleshed out more.
- Great Book!!
By AB7PXWJN3NOTX on 2005-04-15
As a Goth myself, I expected to know most of the Gothic scene. But I didn't. This book is great, filled with valuable and interesting information, no Goth should be without.
- Ha.
By A2AGLSY0IOUMUL on 2005-05-27
Unfortunately, I haven't read the book, but this page seems to be a breeding ground for posers.
- ugh
By A2YSMAFLS47K55 on 2005-07-15
"Unfortunately, I haven't read the book, but this page seems to be a breeding ground for posers."-SO true.
if your a neo-goth poser that shops at hot topic then this is perfect for you.
- Excellent
By A1I33JXQHIS2BY on 2005-06-19
I borrowed this book from a friend's mother and had it finished in less than an hour. It was so interesting I couldn't put it down. The book didn't even have to leave their house. Such a great read. I only wish that those people who believe all goths are suicidal Satanists would read it. Even though I don't go for the whole labling people thing, I must say that this was enlightening and not at all what I thought it would be when it was insisted I read it.
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