The Illuminatus! Trilogy
by Robert Shea, Robert Anton Wilson · first published 1977
62% recommend37% neutral2% critical
Why HN recommends it
Dense, funny conspiracy-fiction romp packed with historical and literary references that reward rereading. Suits curious, countercultural readers who like Pynchon or Stephenson.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
see https://openlibrary.org/works/OL15331408W/The_Illuminatus!_Trilogy_The_Eye_in_the_Pyramid_The_Golden_Apple_Leviathan
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Those this way interested might also find rewarding the Illuminatus! trilogy by Shea and Wilson; it pretends no special mystical insight, has served as the foundational myth of approximately zero cults (fewer than Heinlein!), and includes at least one dolphin. Does Castaneda have…
on “The dark legacy of Carlos Castaneda (2007)” ↗The Illuminatus Trilogy by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson https://www.amazon.com/Illuminatus-Trilogy-Pyramid-Golden-Le...
on “Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?” ↗There's an author, Robert Anton Wilson, who started writing an influential novel called the Illuminatus trilogy which is a pretty fun read but basically if the whole point of his work was anything it would be that if you aren't doing something of your own kind of conspiracy and you're instead obsessing over real…
on “Psychological Benefits of Believing in Conspiracy Theories” ↗Cosmic Trigger was great, but I must say it's hard to speak of Robert Anton Wilson without mentioning his magnum opus, The Illuminatus Trilogy.
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade?” ↗…Stephenson, but with more of a literary flavor than a technogeek flavor. A nice way to balance out your reading if you find you are a bit too focused on modern technology. I finally read Robert Anton Wilson's Illuminatus! trilogy. Early Internet and web culture was so deeply infused with RAW's ideas that the trilogy felt like one long déjà vu session. Lots of fun. RAW + Eco are a great antidote to taking conspiracy theories seriously,…
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in 2012” ↗Illuminatus! Trilogy by Robert Anton Wilson. I've reread it at least five times now, and it's so dense with historical and literary references and parodies interweaved into its plot that I notice new things every time I reread…
on “Why reading a book 100 times is a great idea” ↗Robert Anton Wilson's "Illuminatus! Trilogy". I read it as an arrogantly close-minded teenager, and it shocked my brain open, planting seeds of heretical ideas and omni-directional agnosticism that blossomed over the course of years. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Illuminatus!_Trilogy
on “Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life?” ↗Books that have changed my life: Masters of Deception: The Gang That Ruled Cyberspace Illuminatus Trilogy Neuromancer
on “Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?” ↗…illuminating read with some unconventional ideas. I'd recommend it for any creative person. KLF are worth listening to also, even though I was already predisposed to liking them thanks to being a big fan of The Illuminatus! Trilogy books they were inspired by. KLF - 3AM Eternal: https://youtu.be/HDsCeC6f0zc Doctorin' The Tardis: https://youtu.be/DsAVx0u9Cw4
on “Ask HN: Do people not have hobbies anymore?” ↗…conventional tech, then there is a reason nothing can be found today. And then of course there was a global mage war, with all the psychic powers burned out of the minds of human. (I do recommend the Illuminatus! Trilogy from Wilson and Shea, for interesting alternative history fantasy and all kinds of crazy stuff)
on “Archaeologists discover world’s oldest wooden structure” ↗The Ego and its Own, by Max Stirner. The Open Society and its Enemies, by Karl Popper. The Illuminatus! trilogy. Robin Hobb books (with special mention of the farseer trilogy), Neal Stephenson, Alan Moore, Terry Pratchett.
on “Ask YC: favorite books” ↗Anyone that's ever read the most awesome Illuminatus! trilogy will know that Robert Anton Wilson is most definitely a fan of mind hacks. Fnord.
on “Quantum Psychology & The Word "Is": Better Living Through Improved Diction” ↗Robert Anton Wilson's "Illuminatus Trilogy", "Prometheus Rising". Aleister Crowley's "Book of lies"
on “Ask HN: Good books?” ↗…you are expressing a willingness to learn. To that end I recommend the following books: The Psychedelics Experience by Peter Stafford Pikhal by Alexander Shulgin Acid Dreams by Lee and Shlain The Illuminatus Trilogy by Shea and Wilson Plants of the Gods by Richard Evans Schultes The Archaic Revival by Terrence McKenna The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide by James Fadiman That should get you started. Good luck, and…
on “Research into hallucinogenic drugs begins to shake off decades of taboo” ↗…not patronizing, it's honest. Read the book, and you'll agree with me. (And it's hardly the only book that gets this credit - something like Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason", or Robert Anton Wilson's Illuminatus! trilogy, or any number of other books will fundamentally change how you think.)
on “Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid” ↗