Blanche Barton

Blanche Barton is an American religious leader and author best known for her leadership role in the Church of Satan and her writings about Satanism and Anton LaVey. Born as Sharon Leigh in 1961, she holds the title of Magistra Templi Rex within the organization. In 1984, Barton began a relationship with Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey and later became involved in the organization's leadership. Following LaVey's death in 1997, she briefly served as co-High Priestess and subsequently became the sole administrator of the Church of Satan through a legal settlement. Barton has authored several significant works about Satanism and Anton LaVey, including "The Church of Satan: A History of the World's Most Notorious Religion" and "The Secret Life of a Satanist: The Authorized Biography of Anton LaVey." Her writings have contributed substantially to the documentation of modern Satanism and its founding figure. She continues to be active in the Church of Satan's administration and maintains her role as one of the organization's primary spokespersons and interpreters of LaVeyan Satanic philosophy. Barton is also known for her efforts to preserve and promote Anton LaVey's legacy through her written works and organizational leadership.

Readers view Barton's works primarily as source material for understanding LaVeyan Satanism and Anton LaVey's life. Most reader reviews focus on her two main books. Readers appreciated: - First-hand accounts and personal insights about LaVey - Clear explanations of Satanic philosophy and practices - Historical documentation of the Church of Satan - Photographs and primary source materials Common criticisms include: - Perceived bias due to her personal relationship with LaVey - Limited critical analysis - Writing style described as "too reverent" by some readers - Lack of objective perspective on controversial topics On Goodreads: "The Secret Life of a Satanist" - 3.9/5 from 614 ratings "The Church of Satan" - 3.8/5 from 243 ratings On Amazon: "The Secret Life of a Satanist" - 4.6/5 from 156 reviews "The Church of Satan" - 4.4/5 from 42 reviews Multiple reviewers note these books serve better as reference materials than engaging narratives.

The Church of Satan: A History of the World's Most Notorious Religion (1990) A historical account documenting the founding, development, and practices of the Church of Satan from its inception through the late 1980s.

The Secret Life of a Satanist: The Authorized Biography of Anton LaVey (1990) A biographical work detailing the life of Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey, including his personal history, philosophical development, and role in establishing modern Satanism.

Peter H. Gilmore He succeeded LaVey as High Priest of the Church of Satan and wrote "The Satanic Scriptures" which expands on LaVeyan philosophy. His writings focus on practical applications of Satanic thought and organizational history.

Michael Aquino He was a prominent figure in the Church of Satan before founding the Temple of Set and wrote "The Church of Satan" documenting his experiences. His academic approach to occult philosophy parallels Barton's historical documentation style.

Stephen Flowers He writes extensively about Left-Hand Path traditions and occult history under both his real name and the pen name Edred Thorsson. His work examines the historical and philosophical foundations of magical traditions similar to Barton's analytical approach to Satanism.

Gavin Baddeley He authored "Lucifer Rising" and documented the evolution of Satanism in modern culture through research and interviews. His journalistic style of investigating occult movements mirrors Barton's biographical approach to LaVey.

Joseph Laycock He wrote "Speak of the Devil" examining the Church of Satan's history and cultural impact through an academic lens. His research-based analysis of modern Satanism complements Barton's insider perspective on the movement.