Description: Hostage to the Devil:The Possession and Exorcism of Five Contemporary Americans America's Loch Ness Monsters By Phillip L. Rife By Malachi Martin Hardcover: 477 Pages — Publisher: Reader's Digest Press; Distributed by Crowell (January 1, 1976) From the DJ flaps: What happens when a human being becomes possessed by Satan? What are the horrors of being possessed? What type of man is an exorcist? Why would he offer himself as hostage to the devil so as to free the person possessed by evil? What are the physical tortures and mental anguish of the exorcist? Here for the first time, in a book of unforgettable power and compassion that is being praised as a milestone by churchmen of varied faiths, are documented case histories of possession and exorcism - the real life dramas of five Americans whose exorcisms were performed between 1965 and 1974. The stories of these men and women and of how they were possessed, and of the exorcists involved with each case, are recounted on the basis of extensive interviews with all the principals involved, with friends and relatives of both exorcee and exorcist in each case, and with witnesses to the exorcisms. The minute-by-minute details of each exorcism are reproduced from tape recordings made at the actual exorcism. Thus the eternal struggle of good versus evil comes alive as drama of terrifying force and of great beauty. The book begins with a dramatic account of a "failed" exorcism. There then follows a comprehensive guide to every facet of the Rite of Exorcism, from the time a case of possession is brought to the attention of Church authorities through the completion of a successful exorcism. Common "symptoms" of possession are explored, as well as the great care taken to verify cases of true possession. The constant dangers faced by all who participate in exorcism are explained, plus some of the qualities and attributes generally found in a successful exorcist, who willingly and at great peril offers himself as hostage to the devil to free the possessed for that one final moment of choice between evil and salvation. Each of the five cases in this book shows how personal and intelligent evil can weave itself through the everyday lives of men and women until possession takes place. In the first case, Zio's Friend and the Smiler, the possessed person is a young woman whose evil spirit hides behind her innocent, disarming grin. In Father Bones and Mister Natch, the reader learns that even a priest can become possessed. In The Virgin and the Girl Fixer, the evil spirit attacks the exorcist and horribly violates his body so that he must spend weeks in the hospital to heal his wounds. In Uncle Ponto and The Mushroom Supper, we are witness to the possession of a top-ranked radio announcer. The Rooster and the Tortoise is the incredible story of the possession of a leading university's parapsychologist whose exorcist was also gifted with psychic powers. The book concludes with a Manual of Possession, a brief but brilliant theological statement about the realities of good and evil in today's world. The modern English translations of the Roman Rite of Exorcism, which appears as Appendix I, and of some often used prayers, which appear as Appendix II, and the epigraphs, were prepared by the author. MALACHI MARTIN, a former Jesuit Professor at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, was trained in theology at Louvain, specializing in the Dead Sea Scrolls and intertestamentary studies. He received his doctorate in Semitic languages, Archeology, and Oriental History. Dr. Martin subsequently studied at Oxford and at the Hebrew University, concentrating in knowledge of Jesus as transmitted in Jewish and Islamic sources. Among the many exorcists of his personal acquaintance was the redoubtable Father Conor, who figures importantly in the first case in this book. Dr. Martin is the author of The New Castle, Jesus Now, Three Popes and the Cardinal, The Encounter, The Scribal Character of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and The Pilgrim, and many articles for magazines and newspapers, and is Religion Editor of The National Review.MORE BOOKS LIKE THIS IN MY EBAY STORE! YES! I WILL COMBINE SHIPPING! Please note: All books are shipped USPS Media Mail within the U.S.A. Other forms of postage are prohibitively expensive and will be used only at buyer's request. Shipment to countries outside the U.S.A. will be sent First Class International Mail unless the package weighs more than 4 lbs. which will require I higher cost form of shipment. Again, other forms of postage will only be used at the buyer's request because of high cost. Condition: VERY GOOD. Used - Very Good. No dust jacket. 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Price: 59.95 USD
Location: Sacramento, California
End Time: 2024-12-23T21:45:27.000Z
Shipping Cost: 5.99 USD
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Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Features: N/A
Format: Hardcover
Personalize: No
Subject: Paranormal & Metaphysical
Illustrator: N/A
Topic: Exorcism
Book Series: N/A
Vintage: No
Era: 1970s
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Ex Libris: No
Edition: N/A
Language: English
Publication Year: 1976
Book Title: Hostage to the Devil
Intended Audience: Adults
Author: Malachi Martin
Original Language: English
Signed By: N/A
Narrative Type: Nonfiction
Publisher: Reader's Digest Press/Crowell
Inscribed: No
Signed: No
Genre: Mind, Body & Spirit
Personalized: No
Type: Non-Fiction Book