All the King's Children: The Human Legacy of Alex Sanders
Author: Jimahl di Fiosa
Published 2010 by CreateSpace
ISBN-10: 1453616837
ISBN-13: 978-1453616833
Paperback, 204 pages
List $18.95
View this Book on Amazon Reviewer: Mike Gleason
Once again, I must start a review with a confession. This is a book about initiates of the Alexandrian Tradition of Wicca, written by an initiate of that tradition. I share an initiation into that tradition, so I was biased before I even opened the cover. Add to that the fact that, while we are not friends in a social sense, I have met Jimahl at a meet-and- greet, and we are on a couple of mailing lists together.
I would like to pretend that I was capable of being completely fair, but I went into this book with certain expectations, most of which were met (for good or bad). I was envious of those Alexandrians Jimahl selected to interview (while fully understanding the reasoning). I was grateful for the fact that individuals who are, for the most part, not well-known outside the Craft community, and who range from First Degree initiates through Third Degree High Priests and High Priestesses, from locales as far-flung as Wales, Poland, Canada, the United States, and Australia got a chance to show how their Alexandrian training has affected their lives.
Over the years, there have been numerous autobiographies and biographies devoted to the publicly known members of the Craft, but very few which have dealt with the people who make up the vast majority of any religious system – the rank and file who quietly live their life and do their best to fit in with society. This has been a glaring lack which has needed to be addressed for a long time. Jimahl has stepped in and started the process with this book. The community at large, and the Craft community in particular have a need for more knowledge of those who work behind the scenes with no fanfare so that they can aspire to become the best they can.
These individuals have come from a variety of backgrounds. Some had personal contact with Alex Sanders and some did not. Some have been involved for decades, some for a relatively short time. All have had experiences which they have been willing to share with the larger world, and for that we owe them (and Jimahl) a huge round of thanks.
The stories contained in this book are not about earth-shattering events, nor are they all the same. Each individual comes to the Craft, and grows in the Craft in a unique way. Everyone has a special contribution to make, which we are often the last to recognize due to lack of perspective.
The stories collected within these covers are inspiring because of their commonalities. The individuals, in many cases, reveal their own failings and misconceptions and reveal how they have grown beyond what they started with. They allow the reader to realize that the only limits they will face are self-imposed. And, by the same token, while others (including divinity) may offer help and support along the way, it is up to the individual to overcome those limits.
This is NOT a book about magick. It is a book of true stories by those who have experienced something which has altered their perceptions of religion. As such, it may speak to anyone, of any path and help to open their minds to other possibilities. In my opinion, it succeeds admirably in presenting a varied understanding of how initiates of the Alexandrian system see themselves, the Tradition, and its founder. No two of the are identical, yet they all contribute to a balanced view.