‘The Lost Knowledge of the Imagination rejoins the parted Red Sea of modern intellect, demonstrating how rationalism and esotericism are not divided forces but necessary complements and parts of a whole in the human wish for understanding. Let’s be done, once and for all, with the shallow and misdirected notion that reason and mysticism are at odds. Lachman demonstrates their harmony.’ — Mitch Horowitz, PEN Award-winning author of Occult America and One Simple Idea: How Positive Thinking Reshaped Modern Life.

“One of the leading students of the western esoteric tradition, Lachman has published critical studies of Swedenborg, Madame Blavatsky, Aleister Crowley, Rudolf Steiner, P.D. Ouspensky and Jung — and he has done so without being raptly worshipful or casually dismissive. He has also brought out several general surveys of the occult, most recently “The Secret Teachers of the Western World.” This begins with magic in antiquity and goes on to consider Gnosticism, Jewish Kabbalah, Renaissance alchemy, the secrets of the Rosicrucians, 19th-century Theosophy, the strange practices of Russian guru George Gurdjieff and New Age speculations about Ley lines, Atlantis and cosmic consciousness.” Michael Dirda, Washington Post.

“I’m reading it now and it is very important” - Philip Pullman tweeting about Lost Knowledge of the Imagination.

“Lachman writes with authority and insight…Lost Knowledge of the Imagination is a compelling journey through the history of human thinking…a timely call to re-evaluate where we have come from and…to use our imagination to navigate our way towards a more wakeful future.” David Halpin New Dawn.

Here are some reviews:

David Moore at Ritual in the Dark

Nicholas Colloff at Golgonooza

Here’s a link to my Lost Knowledge talk at Watkins Books January 23 2018.