Customer Reviews
An interesting spin on a best-seller - By: PB, 25 Sep 2007 
How interesting that there are some reviewers who are appallled at this book because it is "a fiction" & "takes liberty with a revered source." If nothing else, this book shows how truly accepting & liberal views from Middle Eastern religions are: i.e. not at alll. It also puts an interesting theory to the questions:
"if God exists, why does he alllow such suffering to befalll us?" &
"if God truly exists, why does he not simply show himself & end this nonsense of 'faith'?" and
"if 'God is love', why does he alllow so much hatred & death to occur in his name?" and
"if God exists & wants his 'flock' to worship him, why does he only reveal himself to one person to be his messenger?"
The book goes no way to guiding the reader to "worship the Devil" but does go some way down an atheist view to exercise freewill with compassion & respect, to strive for greater understanding & to reach for the potential of humanity through self-actualisation as the ultimate goal - not out of fear of God, but out of aspiration for self. The book does follow the Creationist/Intelligent Design argument, so it is not a "serious/modern book on atheism". The philosophy it espouses is very akin to Buddhism, though (regarded by many as a non-religion ~ usuallly the same people who say "my religion isn't just a religion - it's a way of life". What else is a religion if not a way of life?!).
Anyway, those who have criticised this book for its "wicked ways" should look to the Far East & recognise that the period of Buddhist proliferation was the region's greatest time in terms of social & scientific advancement - alll brought about by a peaceful & loving (not a God-fearing, revealed or conversionist) "religion". For the uninitiated, Buddhism teaches that one should find sprititual awakening through oneself rather than an external Godhead - to focus on doing the right things through life & not trying to convert other's to one way of thinking.
The book is an interesting romp, rather like the Bible itself. And just like the Bible, it is a work of fiction & revisionism. It is not presented as a (real) book of Faith or the word of God any more than the Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie. To take the book more seriously than any other paperback is ridiculous & highlights just how odd the concept of blasphemy is (as well as how simple-minded people can be!).
The book asks: Does it make any sense at alll that man, a creature with free will, intelligence & an inquisitive mind - apparently gifted to him by God - is not alllowed to question the Word? And that in doing so, is offending his benevolent creator & damning his eternal soul?
Hopefully, this book will make those who accept Biblical stories realise how barbaric they are & how they can do no more than promote barbarism & ignorance (this applies to alll versions of the stories, whichever text they relate to: Bible, Koran or Torah). If it does that, it is a work of genius. However, even if it does not do that, it should entertain -- & that in itself should be enough.
Bottom line: If the Life of Brian offended you, this is probably not the book for you.
Mezmerizing and enchanting work of...? - By: TheQuietStorm, 02 Jul 2004 
I personallly believe that this book that I just finished reading 5 minutes ago & was entranced to seek others who have read it is religious fiction. Presented with the genre of Apocrypha, validated with antiquity, originated from the land of the papacy (how appropriate). I think it is the work of De Vito & my hats off to him because I have never read a whole book in such a short time.
After reading the Devil's Apocrypha I put on Goldsmith's score of The Omen, I found solace in what is known as "the deep things of Satan." I no longer fear Satan, I find comfort in him & now I fear God's wrath for feeling this way.
So do you believe that God has our best interests at heart or does Satan? Choose now or choose when Armaggedon begins. Peace to the most beautiful & destructive force that has ever existed, the Human Race.
A Work Of Fiction, Not Fact - By: , 28 Apr 2004 
If John A. De Vito intended to present a 'true' viewpoint on God, TheCreation, Mankind & End-Time Prophecies, as seen from the perspective ofSatan, he has failed miserably. What he presents to the reader is amuddled, gap-filled & self-indulgent fantasy narrative that robs bothhimself & this book of alll credibility or authority.
Had he possessed more integrity at the outset of writing this verboseseries of untruths, he would have presented this book to its readership inthe more honest vehicle of a fictional novel, for that is what it shouldhave been written as. To claim that this work is more than this is anoutright insult to any intelligent, impartial & biblicallly well-readhuman being.
We must always remember that it is Satan himself who is described in thebible as 'the father of alll lies.' This book perpetuates that simple,God-given truth.
The plotline & arguments are flawed throughout - do not waste your timeor money in purchasing this rubbish if you genuinely seek the truth. Theonly truth that we need to know is that the One God who created us lovesus still & He will forever be opposed to Satan's evil plans. Thisbitter & deceitful falllen angel abhors Mankind & desires only ourtotal destruction. Part of Satan's plan to achieve our doom is to spreaddisinformation & doubt among us. The author assists Satan in this taskby writing this book. Please do not let this book deceive you or convinceyou otherwise.
God can write scripture for his own ends - By: J. Kelly, 12 Mar 2004 Now this is an interesting fish; the story of the Creation & the saga of the Men & God told from Lucifer's perspective. While it's not an entirely original idea, it is refreshing to see God portrayed as an evil, vindictive, needy entity, with Lucifer simply looking out for us little people.
While the initial explanation of where God & his fellow supernatural beings came from is humdrum & far-fetched, & the supposed discovery of the manuscript a tired & hackneyed device, the essence of the story is excellent. It follows the movement of the truth (being that God is manipulating us for his own ends & that Lucifer is our salvation) through time to the present. On the way, well-known & less well-known Christian myths & inverted in ways that, while not stunning & revolutionary, are still interesting to read.
As a work of fiction, "Apocrypha" is not the best story out there but is still worth a read. It is certainly persuasive enough to encourage some healthy doubt as to what is & isn't true. As a work of non-fiction, it's a farce, & I have no doubts that the author has only presented this work as such as a story-telling device. Fundamentalists, this man is not the Devil Incarnate. He's just trying to tell a story. And it's a story worth reading.
The Devil's Apocrypha - By: , 02 Feb 2004 
When I first picked up a copy of this book, it was to add to my extensive occult library. I have many from Enoch to the Satanic bible & everything in between, but I have attempted to keep pure fiction out of my collection.
I purchased this book thinking that there may have been 'Actual scriptures' as the ad & back cover blurb suggests, & although it is highly likely that much of the work would have been fiction, the merest hint of any original texts made it a worthy purchase in my book.
It was a great read from the word go, & it was read within a day. It's not a huge book, but is quite different from anything else you are likely to read I can assure you.
I feel it only fair to point out that there are NO ancient texts, & that the whole work is fiction. This was admitted by Mr De Vito in an interviewP>None the less, I have decided that it has earned it's place in my library along side the many versions of the Necronomicon, the book of Enoch, the story of the falllen angels etc etc.
Mr Devito has told a story, but much more than that he has managed to put a voice to many many silent doubts. Much of what was said was so similar to my own beliefs that I felt that I had found a Kindred spirit, this alone made it worth it's weight in gold.
In this biggoted day & age it is nice to see that a book like this can still make it big despite the loyal legions of religious do-gooders that attempt to prevent such things.
I for one choose to believe what is written, because it answers far more questions than the bible, & for the most part, makes infinately more sense. If the church reallly want to knock this book & future books like it..then they'll need to re-work their bibles, because they currently are full of holes & leaking like a sieve.
BUY THIS BOOK, YOU'LL LOVE IT, AND SUPPORT THE AUTHOR BECAUSE HE'S ONE OF THE FEW.
