What do you think?
Rate this book
Angels All Around Us: A Sightseeing Guide to the Invisible World
In Angels All Around Us (previously titled The Invisible World in hardcover), the international bestselling author of A Travel Guide to Heaven and Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To explains the awesome and mysterious reality of the spiritual dimension that surrounds and permeates our very existence. All aspects of the spiritual realm are discussed, including the existence of angels and demons, the whereabouts of loved ones who have passed, the gift of grace, heaven, hell, and even the presence and activity of God in our lives.
Completely consistent with traditional Christian teaching, Angels All Around Us will help readers embrace a certitude that makes it easier to act according to their moral beliefs, give them a greater sense of the richness of life, and show them that no amount of suffering-physical, mental, or emotional-will ever be able to destroy the profound sense of inner peace that they can experience on a daily basis.
Completely consistent with traditional Christian teaching, Angels All Around Us will help readers embrace a certitude that makes it easier to act according to their moral beliefs, give them a greater sense of the richness of life, and show them that no amount of suffering-physical, mental, or emotional-will ever be able to destroy the profound sense of inner peace that they can experience on a daily basis.
224 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2011
8 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
About the author
Anthony DeStefano
24 books73 followersAnthony DeStefano is the bestselling author of 20 Christian books for children and adults, including: A Travel Guide to Heaven, Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To, Angels All Around Us, Little Star, and The Donkey that No One Could Ride. He has received many prestigious awards from religious organizations worldwide for his efforts to advance Christian beliefs in modern culture.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 24, 2022
‘Open your eyes. Not the ones in your head—but the ones in your soul. And just believe.’
This book was originally titled, The Invisible World and they should have stuck with that title because it suits the book much better than the current title. Yes, there is information in here about Angels, but it isn’t the primary focus of the book. The primary focus of the book is—the invisible world: God, Angels, demons, the soul, invisible warfare, grace, the impact of suffering, our ultimate destiny and how to improve on seeing the invisible.
My personal favorite chapters were the ones on the soul, grace and the final one which offered four tips on how we can improve our ability to ‘see’ the Invisible World. They are: 1) ask God to help you see better; 2) read about how God works in the lives of people in Sacred Scripture; 3) become involved in helping His people, especially His beloved poor; and 4) learn how to become ‘less’, smaller, more childlike.
Although no one likes suffering and for the most part this chapter was a reaffirmation of things I knew, but still need to read frequently as this is something I struggle with both for myself and those I love, there was one thing I read here which hit home for me. ‘Remember, Christ never said, “Blessed are those who understand.” He said, “Take up your cross, and follow me.” p151 For someone who has spent a good portion of her life chasing after understanding, this was an important puzzle piece.
Having read four other books by this excellent author I expected to enjoy this book and was not disappointed. Highly recommended, but be advised that the second half of the title is really what it is about.
This book was originally titled, The Invisible World and they should have stuck with that title because it suits the book much better than the current title. Yes, there is information in here about Angels, but it isn’t the primary focus of the book. The primary focus of the book is—the invisible world: God, Angels, demons, the soul, invisible warfare, grace, the impact of suffering, our ultimate destiny and how to improve on seeing the invisible.
My personal favorite chapters were the ones on the soul, grace and the final one which offered four tips on how we can improve our ability to ‘see’ the Invisible World. They are: 1) ask God to help you see better; 2) read about how God works in the lives of people in Sacred Scripture; 3) become involved in helping His people, especially His beloved poor; and 4) learn how to become ‘less’, smaller, more childlike.
Although no one likes suffering and for the most part this chapter was a reaffirmation of things I knew, but still need to read frequently as this is something I struggle with both for myself and those I love, there was one thing I read here which hit home for me. ‘Remember, Christ never said, “Blessed are those who understand.” He said, “Take up your cross, and follow me.” p151 For someone who has spent a good portion of her life chasing after understanding, this was an important puzzle piece.
Having read four other books by this excellent author I expected to enjoy this book and was not disappointed. Highly recommended, but be advised that the second half of the title is really what it is about.
May 6, 2011
The title of Anthony Destefano's new release, The Invisible World: Understanding Angels, Demons and the Spiritual Realities That Surround Us would seem to make a grandiose claim. Does this book deliver on its promise?
With an undeniably engaging style, the author gives his take on subjects like premonitions, angels, demons, spiritual warfare, grace, suffering, heaven and hell. While on the whole, this book may inform readers who need to be made aware of spiritual realities (and some points of apologetics were well-stated) it raised some concerns for me. First, let me state that my remarks should be taken with the understanding that I don't need convincing of the validity of the spiritual world or the viability of miracles. I agree with Mr. Destefano on these points.
I appreciate the author's intelligence, which is evident in the unique perspective he brings to his subjects. He'll make you think. However, examples are often given without documentation. In the opening chapter, for example, the author cites the case of a little girl who, while ready to undergo risky brain surgery, receives a visit from a pretty nurse who tells her she's all healed. And she is. An MRI shows no trace of the brain tumor the doctors plan to remove. No one knows who the mysterious nurse was. That's an impressive story but it would have been more powerful had the author included documentation.
The reader is asked to embrace some radical ideas. Here's a quote from the chapter entitled "Invisible Helpers." "Right now, as you're reading these words, there is an angel right next to you." The author goes on to state that "throughout sacred Scripture we find it implied that each of us has our own angel watching over us in a highly unique and personal manner." I won't argue for or against the existence of guardian angels here. Rather, I wonder why the author gave no Scriptures to back up his point. In fact, throughout most of the book the reader is asked to accept the author's remarks as fact with little to no substantiation. Am I the only one who finds this a potentially-dangerous practice?
I don't want to cast aspersions on Mr. Destefano's intentions or doctrine, although I don't always agree with what he says. I just wish he would have more clearly labeled his opinions as opinion. He does do this occasionally but not nearly enough. I like that he presented the gospel message in a unique and beautiful way.
If you are spiritually mature and able to measure what you read against Scripture, I think you can benefit from reading The Invisible World. The author's remarks on heaven are worth the purchase price of the book. However, a reader who is uncertain of Biblical truth would be better off to read the Bible itself.
©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books
My thanks to the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book given for purposes of review.
With an undeniably engaging style, the author gives his take on subjects like premonitions, angels, demons, spiritual warfare, grace, suffering, heaven and hell. While on the whole, this book may inform readers who need to be made aware of spiritual realities (and some points of apologetics were well-stated) it raised some concerns for me. First, let me state that my remarks should be taken with the understanding that I don't need convincing of the validity of the spiritual world or the viability of miracles. I agree with Mr. Destefano on these points.
I appreciate the author's intelligence, which is evident in the unique perspective he brings to his subjects. He'll make you think. However, examples are often given without documentation. In the opening chapter, for example, the author cites the case of a little girl who, while ready to undergo risky brain surgery, receives a visit from a pretty nurse who tells her she's all healed. And she is. An MRI shows no trace of the brain tumor the doctors plan to remove. No one knows who the mysterious nurse was. That's an impressive story but it would have been more powerful had the author included documentation.
The reader is asked to embrace some radical ideas. Here's a quote from the chapter entitled "Invisible Helpers." "Right now, as you're reading these words, there is an angel right next to you." The author goes on to state that "throughout sacred Scripture we find it implied that each of us has our own angel watching over us in a highly unique and personal manner." I won't argue for or against the existence of guardian angels here. Rather, I wonder why the author gave no Scriptures to back up his point. In fact, throughout most of the book the reader is asked to accept the author's remarks as fact with little to no substantiation. Am I the only one who finds this a potentially-dangerous practice?
I don't want to cast aspersions on Mr. Destefano's intentions or doctrine, although I don't always agree with what he says. I just wish he would have more clearly labeled his opinions as opinion. He does do this occasionally but not nearly enough. I like that he presented the gospel message in a unique and beautiful way.
If you are spiritually mature and able to measure what you read against Scripture, I think you can benefit from reading The Invisible World. The author's remarks on heaven are worth the purchase price of the book. However, a reader who is uncertain of Biblical truth would be better off to read the Bible itself.
©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books
My thanks to the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book given for purposes of review.
May 15, 2014
This was a book club choice, otherwise I don't think I would have picked this one up. (Which is why book clubs are a good idea for helping us to stretch beyond our usual repertoire.) I have mixed feelings about Angels All Around Us. Initially, I felt put off by some of the author's descriptions of things such as Heaven and what angels are like. Clearly his descriptions were opinion, yet he wrote them as fact. In many cases he didn't give specific citations, but there is a lengthy bibliography attached at the end of the book. One particular pet peeve of mine was his excessive (I thought, at least) use of exclamation points throughout the book. I was surprised his editor let him get away with that, and it often diluted the message for me. I'm guessing he was trying to get across his enthusiasm for the subject matter, but it did get on my nerves. (Okay, I'm a grouch.)
Yet, the more I got into this book, the more I began to appreciate it, especially the section on suffering. There are many interesting ideas in this book, and DeStefano emphasizes that we must walk by faith and not by sight, which I believe. I also like his idea of "haunt detectors," and have found myself wondering now, when I get those feelings about things, if it's one of my angels directing me toward or from something. (The chill down the spine, or hairs standing up on the back of the neck feelings may also be attributed to survival instincts passed down over the years. Basically, we need to listen to those inner voices, whether angelic or not, the ones trying to tell us that something is a bad idea.)
The author provides food for thought, and I will be probably go back to read certain sections from time to time.
Yet, the more I got into this book, the more I began to appreciate it, especially the section on suffering. There are many interesting ideas in this book, and DeStefano emphasizes that we must walk by faith and not by sight, which I believe. I also like his idea of "haunt detectors," and have found myself wondering now, when I get those feelings about things, if it's one of my angels directing me toward or from something. (The chill down the spine, or hairs standing up on the back of the neck feelings may also be attributed to survival instincts passed down over the years. Basically, we need to listen to those inner voices, whether angelic or not, the ones trying to tell us that something is a bad idea.)
The author provides food for thought, and I will be probably go back to read certain sections from time to time.
September 27, 2019
Another EXCELLENT book by this author! :)
December 11, 2012
From our own internal “haunt detectors”, to the innate feeling we sometimes have that there is more to the word than we see, it cannot be denied that a spiritual realm hovers just outside our own periphery. No matter how much we meditate upon His supremacy, our God seems undeniably otherworldly. Because of this, there is a certain sense of comfort in knowing that His supernatural “helpers” exist in our uncertain world.
Accepting the existence of good must allow for the existence of evil as well. The Bible tells us of the war in Heaven and the angels’ fall. What we choose to do with this information is entirely up to us. When the inexplicable urge to be angry or behave badly comes upon us, how do we view its roots? Can the spiritual truths contained in the Bible explain the criminal nature of this unseen demonic mob?
In the end it all comes down to the concept of a war on the spiritual level using psychological means. Our beliefs, our very souls, are dependent upon our ability to recognize the existence of this. Even when we do not fully understand it, we can take comfort in the knowledge that our Creator has given us grace, forgiveness, and a set of divine angels to battle for our souls.
Mr. DeStefano’s work is rooted in strong Christian doctrine with insightful thoughts about the spiritual realm. Readers will enjoy his thought-provoking foray into myths and legends that raise as many questions as they answer. Complete with applicable scripture, this book will change the way you view the everyday world. In today’s uncertain cultural climate, it is good to think that we have unseen forces on our side.
Kaitlin
Reviewer for Coffeetime Romance & More
Accepting the existence of good must allow for the existence of evil as well. The Bible tells us of the war in Heaven and the angels’ fall. What we choose to do with this information is entirely up to us. When the inexplicable urge to be angry or behave badly comes upon us, how do we view its roots? Can the spiritual truths contained in the Bible explain the criminal nature of this unseen demonic mob?
In the end it all comes down to the concept of a war on the spiritual level using psychological means. Our beliefs, our very souls, are dependent upon our ability to recognize the existence of this. Even when we do not fully understand it, we can take comfort in the knowledge that our Creator has given us grace, forgiveness, and a set of divine angels to battle for our souls.
Mr. DeStefano’s work is rooted in strong Christian doctrine with insightful thoughts about the spiritual realm. Readers will enjoy his thought-provoking foray into myths and legends that raise as many questions as they answer. Complete with applicable scripture, this book will change the way you view the everyday world. In today’s uncertain cultural climate, it is good to think that we have unseen forces on our side.
Kaitlin
Reviewer for Coffeetime Romance & More
January 7, 2013
I read Angels all Around Us by Anthony DeStefano last year and wasn't that impressed with it. However, the book is on my Facebook, so when I kept reading different things from it periodically I decided to try it again. I realize now that my heart must not have been in the right place, because I loved it!
This book doesn't just deal angels, but demon and the devil, the unseen world, and the war around us. I particularly liked the focus on what the devil wants to do in our world and to us. One of the ways is through atheism. I have a cousin who is an atheist. I began praying for him when I discovered this a few months ago. We are having a bit of a posting war on our face books...I post Christian messages and Bible quotes and he posts atheist quotes back. Ironically his focus on atheism didn't start on Facebook until after I started posting Bible verses after the Sandy Hook tragedy.
Anyway, back to the book! It's a great read. If you've felt the warfare between angels and demons or have questioned your own faith or what happens when you die, this is an excellent book!
This book doesn't just deal angels, but demon and the devil, the unseen world, and the war around us. I particularly liked the focus on what the devil wants to do in our world and to us. One of the ways is through atheism. I have a cousin who is an atheist. I began praying for him when I discovered this a few months ago. We are having a bit of a posting war on our face books...I post Christian messages and Bible quotes and he posts atheist quotes back. Ironically his focus on atheism didn't start on Facebook until after I started posting Bible verses after the Sandy Hook tragedy.
Anyway, back to the book! It's a great read. If you've felt the warfare between angels and demons or have questioned your own faith or what happens when you die, this is an excellent book!
August 11, 2016
DeStefano quotes Einstein, CS Lewis, and Thomas Aquintas; refers to scripture and strings together beautiful phrases and philosophical subject matter like, "superstition of materialism." But this guy is no Peter Kreeft. Looking for Christian conversion, you'll be ridiculed for being short of common sense. DeStefano takes one step toward a logical argument then two steps backward with a concluding line like, "Atheists are silly!" "Just believe."
He explains the basic theology of Christianity : Grace, Forgiveness, Evil, in a casual, conversational tone. And grazes over the subject of angels, which is what I assumed the book would divulge in. But instead he chats his way through 206 pages of tangents, rhetorical questions, and exclamation marks.
Extremely disappointed. With the title, "Angels All Around Us," I was enthusiastic to read of angels and demons: the invisible world. Only to be bored, annoyed and then horrified to tears at his last real-life example of evil (an unnecessary and disgusting story of infant abuse).
He explains the basic theology of Christianity : Grace, Forgiveness, Evil, in a casual, conversational tone. And grazes over the subject of angels, which is what I assumed the book would divulge in. But instead he chats his way through 206 pages of tangents, rhetorical questions, and exclamation marks.
Extremely disappointed. With the title, "Angels All Around Us," I was enthusiastic to read of angels and demons: the invisible world. Only to be bored, annoyed and then horrified to tears at his last real-life example of evil (an unnecessary and disgusting story of infant abuse).
October 9, 2012
This book should really have stuck with the original title of Invisible World because it is about much more than angels, although they constitute a decent amount of the content. I found this book very inspirational, to the point that I was jotting down a few things I needed to "fix" in my own spiritual life by the time I was done.
Proper review to come but in the meantime buy it for yourself
Proper review to come but in the meantime buy it for yourself
August 2, 2011
Much better than his A Travel Guide to Heaven. His theology seems to be a weird hybrid of Catholicism and Evangelical doctrines. His style is simple and easy to read, but it's also simplistic and not deep or challenging.
May 22, 2011
Not what I was expecting. The book was less about angels and demons and more about believing in a spiritual world. The book wasn't bad, but it was a case of preaching to the choir.
June 29, 2017
"If you are suffering in any way right now, one of the reasons God is permitting it is because he wants you to change." page 343
March 9, 2016
Audio. Fantastic! DeStefano did an awesome job.
Read
August 10, 2024Anthony DeStefano attempts to take the very real, very invisible world of “principalities and powers” that surround us daily and bring it into focus for us so that we can grasp it in a real way. One of the things that I loved about the book is that unlike many devotional type books his style of reading makes it easy to zoom right through the book. It’s lively and engaging and made me be able to read it all in the few days we were up camping-no need to set it down because it’s so dry! Though there were some of his points that I would have been more likely to attribute to the Holy Ghost than angels (of course that’s just my own personal opinion) I found his thoughts to be very insightful, thought provoking, and in line with what the Bible teaches. The only thing that I disliked about the book is that he cusses twice, once in using the other word for donkey, and once in quoting his former self (before he was a Christian) though these things are not necessarily a “big deal” I just feel that in any Christian book it’s just better to avoid it. All in all I found the book to be extremely interesting and good, and would definitely suggest reading it!
July 7, 2022
This was a truly amazing book! Full of beautiful truths, fascinating information, and a whole host of encouragement. If you have questions about angels, demons, the afterlife, heaven and hell, the invisible world, etc. and want answers from a Catholic perspective, then this is a great book to check out and I highly recommend it. DeStefano's writing still is clear and easy to follow, the book is full of both information and interesting stories and personal accounts, and lots of quotes and references from great theologians, biblical scholars, and Christian writers. It's one of the best books I've read so far this year!
Want to read
June 3, 2022A lovely and inspiring group of personal accounts of people's experience with angels
April 26, 2011
Angels, demons, the supernatural, and Heaven—whether perusing the YA section (or “the paranormal romance” section as I fondly call it) at a local bookstore, reading countless opinions on whether or not Rob Bell is a universalist who believes there is no hell, or watching Angel (“Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” spin-off starring “Bones’” David Boreanaz), everyone is searching for information on what else is “out there.” Author Anthony DeStefano attempts to put a Judeo-Christian spin on the supernatural world with his book, The Invisible World: Understanding Angels, Demons, and the Spiritual Realities That Surround Us. Unfortunately, DeStefano fails to back up many of his “biblical” assertions about angels and demons with actual Scripture and resorts to quoting sources like C.S. Lewis and even Shakespeare to make his points.
The Invisible World has a strong start with DeStefano convincing readers that there is truly “something more going on that meets the eyes.” He says that God is “totally other” and is therefore invisible to us because if He were visible, He would be forcing us to acknowledge Him. Therefore, God has created a world, a whole universe, which is pure matter, which screams of His existence. Crafting humankind in His image, people are spirit-matter (part spirit and part matter), while angels (and demons, which are fallen angels) are like God, pure spirit. (Though DeStefano does say that Jesus is God in human language, meaning He became spirit-matter.)
While some of DeStefano’s early assertions make sense, I kept wondering what evidence, aside from literary quotes, he actually had to defend his position. As I kept reading, it seemed clear that DeStefano may have adapted part of his “theology” on angels from watching too much “Touched by An Angel” on the Hallmark Channel, saying that we have personal guardian angels who whisper in our ears (he notes that this is “implied” in the Bible, but never offers an actual reference). Sadly,
DeStefano assigns angels roles that are more appropriately assigned to the much-ignored Holy Spirit.
As the book continues, DeStefano also tackles demons again choosing to seek theological discourse from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and G.K. Chesterton, instead of from the Bible. When DeStefano actually makes use of Scripture, in a seeming Gospel presentation towards the end of the book, he is right on. But this doesn’t make up for page of unsubstantiated claims about the spiritual world. Sadly, The Invisible World is a pretty disappointing read.
The Invisible World has a strong start with DeStefano convincing readers that there is truly “something more going on that meets the eyes.” He says that God is “totally other” and is therefore invisible to us because if He were visible, He would be forcing us to acknowledge Him. Therefore, God has created a world, a whole universe, which is pure matter, which screams of His existence. Crafting humankind in His image, people are spirit-matter (part spirit and part matter), while angels (and demons, which are fallen angels) are like God, pure spirit. (Though DeStefano does say that Jesus is God in human language, meaning He became spirit-matter.)
While some of DeStefano’s early assertions make sense, I kept wondering what evidence, aside from literary quotes, he actually had to defend his position. As I kept reading, it seemed clear that DeStefano may have adapted part of his “theology” on angels from watching too much “Touched by An Angel” on the Hallmark Channel, saying that we have personal guardian angels who whisper in our ears (he notes that this is “implied” in the Bible, but never offers an actual reference). Sadly,
DeStefano assigns angels roles that are more appropriately assigned to the much-ignored Holy Spirit.
As the book continues, DeStefano also tackles demons again choosing to seek theological discourse from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and G.K. Chesterton, instead of from the Bible. When DeStefano actually makes use of Scripture, in a seeming Gospel presentation towards the end of the book, he is right on. But this doesn’t make up for page of unsubstantiated claims about the spiritual world. Sadly, The Invisible World is a pretty disappointing read.
April 6, 2011
“The most important things in life can’t be seen with the eyes. Ideas can’t be seen. Love can’t be seen. Honor can’t be seen. This isn’t a new concept. Judaism and Christianity and Islam and Buddhism and Taoism have all taught for thousands of years that the highest forms of reality are invisible. God is invisible, and he created the universe. Our souls are invisible, and they give life to our bodies. Angels are invisible, and they’re the most powerful of God’s creatures.”
Just as angels are invisible, God is as well. It can be hard for us to fully even begin to comprehend God when we can’t see Him. “The fact that we can’t see God the way we see a book or a cell phone or the person standing in front of us isn’t because God wants to be hidden from us. It’s that it is his nature to be hidden from us. In other words, when God created the universe, he created something radically new and different from himself.” He created us and we’re not made to see the invisible. But just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. That’s the definition of faith: believing in the unseen. To see the invisible, we must look with our spiritual “eyes” instead of our physical ones. “…if you insist on seeing only with your physical eyes, if you make your five senses into five tyrannical little dictators, if you worship science as the be-all and end-all of everything – then you’re doomed to live only half a life. And the half you do live is sure to be devoid of any real, lasting meaning.”
Out of all DeStefano talks about in his book, the thing that stands out to me relates to the devil. Since he is unable to inflict any harm on God, he does the next best thing: hurting those who God created. We’re merely pawns to the devil, being used in an attempt to “get back” at God. I’ve never thought about that before but it makes sense. The devil cares nothing about us so it truly is “nothing personal” when we come against his attacks. He also talks about how we all have an angel with us, assigned to protect us. Though the idea of being watched constantly makes me a little uneasy, it also brings a certain amount of comfort as well. I like the last line of the book, which in a way sums it all up: “And just believe.”
Just as angels are invisible, God is as well. It can be hard for us to fully even begin to comprehend God when we can’t see Him. “The fact that we can’t see God the way we see a book or a cell phone or the person standing in front of us isn’t because God wants to be hidden from us. It’s that it is his nature to be hidden from us. In other words, when God created the universe, he created something radically new and different from himself.” He created us and we’re not made to see the invisible. But just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. That’s the definition of faith: believing in the unseen. To see the invisible, we must look with our spiritual “eyes” instead of our physical ones. “…if you insist on seeing only with your physical eyes, if you make your five senses into five tyrannical little dictators, if you worship science as the be-all and end-all of everything – then you’re doomed to live only half a life. And the half you do live is sure to be devoid of any real, lasting meaning.”
Out of all DeStefano talks about in his book, the thing that stands out to me relates to the devil. Since he is unable to inflict any harm on God, he does the next best thing: hurting those who God created. We’re merely pawns to the devil, being used in an attempt to “get back” at God. I’ve never thought about that before but it makes sense. The devil cares nothing about us so it truly is “nothing personal” when we come against his attacks. He also talks about how we all have an angel with us, assigned to protect us. Though the idea of being watched constantly makes me a little uneasy, it also brings a certain amount of comfort as well. I like the last line of the book, which in a way sums it all up: “And just believe.”
November 19, 2012
I received this book as part of the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. I was somewhat excited to receive this book, because of the title. I know that's a little shallow, but I think most Christians have a fascination with angels and the "Invisible World." In fact, the book was originally titled "The Invisible World," and in my opinion that's what the book should have remained titled, as there was only one chapter that dealt with angels.
The book starts off with a chapter called Haunt Detector, a phrase attributed to Fr. Frank Pavone. I'm not a big fan of referring to feelings of other worldly happenings as a haunt detector. It just seems to put a ghostly spin on angels, demon, and spiritual matters. So I was one chapter into this book, and already had a bad taste in my mouth.
The third chapter, aka the only chapter that really mentions angels, did a fair to good job, at best, of covering the subject of angels. If you know the slightest thing about angels, this chapter does nothing to add to your knowledge of angels. You receive a brief description of what angels are and their purpose, surrounded by several sweet stories of possible angel encounters people had. Check out my other reviews at stuartsstudy.blogspot.com
The book wasn't a total disappointment. It does a good job on other topics it discusses, such as spiritual warfare, grace, and suffering, but opinions are too often inserted when backed up facts would have been more appreciated. I just feel that the title was misleading and should have remained "The Invisible World." I am someone who when he picks up a book, he goes into it with a certain expectation, and if those expectations are not met or exceeded, I am usually disappointed. So part of my disappointment might stem from going against the adage of judging a book by its cover.
So for these complaints, I give the book 3 out of 5 stars. It was a good book, which I felt could have and should have been better. If you are looking for a book that truly deals more in-depth with angels, check out the book Lifted By Angels and my review of it.
The book starts off with a chapter called Haunt Detector, a phrase attributed to Fr. Frank Pavone. I'm not a big fan of referring to feelings of other worldly happenings as a haunt detector. It just seems to put a ghostly spin on angels, demon, and spiritual matters. So I was one chapter into this book, and already had a bad taste in my mouth.
The third chapter, aka the only chapter that really mentions angels, did a fair to good job, at best, of covering the subject of angels. If you know the slightest thing about angels, this chapter does nothing to add to your knowledge of angels. You receive a brief description of what angels are and their purpose, surrounded by several sweet stories of possible angel encounters people had. Check out my other reviews at stuartsstudy.blogspot.com
The book wasn't a total disappointment. It does a good job on other topics it discusses, such as spiritual warfare, grace, and suffering, but opinions are too often inserted when backed up facts would have been more appreciated. I just feel that the title was misleading and should have remained "The Invisible World." I am someone who when he picks up a book, he goes into it with a certain expectation, and if those expectations are not met or exceeded, I am usually disappointed. So part of my disappointment might stem from going against the adage of judging a book by its cover.
So for these complaints, I give the book 3 out of 5 stars. It was a good book, which I felt could have and should have been better. If you are looking for a book that truly deals more in-depth with angels, check out the book Lifted By Angels and my review of it.
September 7, 2012
I thought this (audio) book was outstanding. I've already listened to parts of it a second time, and will probably listen to it all straight through again (which is saying something for me). It seems that it is about to be re-released under the new title of "Angels All Around Us: A Sightseeing Guide to the Invisible World." Maybe to reposition it in the market as more of a follow up to his "Guide" to Heaven. (9/7: Oh wait, it's for the paperback release.) I don't know how much, if at all, it has been re-written for its re-release under that new title.
As for the other reviews, more than any other book's reviews I've seen, they say more (to me at least) about the reviewers themselves than about the book. Maybe that's because I agree totally with DeStefano's premises and underlying theology, and evidently, many of those reviewers do not. One way or another, they just strike me as refusing to "get" what is right in front of their eyes. Oh well. As Yogi Berra said, "If the fans don't want to come out to the ballpark, you can't stop 'em!" Whatever!
Having said I agree with him, I would also say that he does an EXCELLENT job in this book of simply stating some very complex issues. And implicit in what he says is even the explanation for why complexity is kind of the booby prize in religion, spirituality, and theology. It is, just as Jesus observed, the simple folks who understand God best, while we brainiacs get all hung up on the egotistical facets of how great our intellects are. I RECOGNIZE that my intellect can be, and has been, an obstacle to my understanding (possibly including even this very observation!). Many of the reviewers don't seem to realize that possibility about themselves.
I got very interested in angels (and correspondingly, their demonic counterparts) many years ago. Wish this book had been around then! It is exactly what I was looking for then, and it is a big help now!
As for the other reviews, more than any other book's reviews I've seen, they say more (to me at least) about the reviewers themselves than about the book. Maybe that's because I agree totally with DeStefano's premises and underlying theology, and evidently, many of those reviewers do not. One way or another, they just strike me as refusing to "get" what is right in front of their eyes. Oh well. As Yogi Berra said, "If the fans don't want to come out to the ballpark, you can't stop 'em!" Whatever!
Having said I agree with him, I would also say that he does an EXCELLENT job in this book of simply stating some very complex issues. And implicit in what he says is even the explanation for why complexity is kind of the booby prize in religion, spirituality, and theology. It is, just as Jesus observed, the simple folks who understand God best, while we brainiacs get all hung up on the egotistical facets of how great our intellects are. I RECOGNIZE that my intellect can be, and has been, an obstacle to my understanding (possibly including even this very observation!). Many of the reviewers don't seem to realize that possibility about themselves.
I got very interested in angels (and correspondingly, their demonic counterparts) many years ago. Wish this book had been around then! It is exactly what I was looking for then, and it is a big help now!
January 18, 2013
This is a wonderful well-written book by Anthony Destefano. He explains in all details the realm of the spiritual world, using a simple and direct language that even those who never have any contact with the supernatural will start thinking twice on his propositions on how things are organized and how they work. This is exactly my case. I have never heard nor seen spiritual entities of any kind, so for me their existence is just a matter of faith, and Mr. Destefano gave me a boost on my faith on their existence.
He divided his book in ten chapters, covering in progression the following topics: The Haunter Detector, The Invisible God, Invisible Helpers, Invisible Evil, Invisible Soul, Invisible Warfare, Invisible Grace, Invisible Power of Suffering, Invisible Destiny and Seeing the Invisible.
His explanation on why demons attack human souls for not been able to attack directly God convinced me that he is a serious writer and took an excellent care of covering every assumption with basis in the Word of the Scriptures.
I recommend this book for people of little or no faith or even for people of more faith, but skeptical or with scientific minds like myself, with difficulty on believing on the supernatural world.
This book was written by Mr. Anthony Destefano and published by Image in October 2012. The publishers were kind enough to provide me a copy for reviewing through their Blogging for Books Program. I was not requested to provide a positive review. Opinions expressed here are my own.
He divided his book in ten chapters, covering in progression the following topics: The Haunter Detector, The Invisible God, Invisible Helpers, Invisible Evil, Invisible Soul, Invisible Warfare, Invisible Grace, Invisible Power of Suffering, Invisible Destiny and Seeing the Invisible.
His explanation on why demons attack human souls for not been able to attack directly God convinced me that he is a serious writer and took an excellent care of covering every assumption with basis in the Word of the Scriptures.
I recommend this book for people of little or no faith or even for people of more faith, but skeptical or with scientific minds like myself, with difficulty on believing on the supernatural world.
This book was written by Mr. Anthony Destefano and published by Image in October 2012. The publishers were kind enough to provide me a copy for reviewing through their Blogging for Books Program. I was not requested to provide a positive review. Opinions expressed here are my own.
August 11, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Although the author is Catholic, he writes to a general Christian audience and tries to take into account all denominational differences. Here are the pros and cons:
PROS: DeStefano writes plainly so as to be understand by all readers, no matter where one is on his/her spiritual walk. A new Christian will find this book encouraging and challenging while an older Christian needs the reminders the author gives about the spiritual world. DeStefano challenges the reader to think about all worldly events from God's POV and he reminds us to change our sinful habits in order to become more like God.
CONS: Although DeStefano quotes some passages from Scripture and mentions the need to read Scripture, he rarely backs up his statements with passages from the Bible. He writes as if everything he says is truth without a Bible verse to back it up, which is very concerning. His chapter on angels, for example, was challenging for me to read because most of his statements about guardian angels and angels' intelligences cannot be found in the Bible. Obviously his Catholic tradition has shaped his beliefs in these matters, but how much of what he writes is actual truth??
Overall it is a good book to read if you want to read about the spiritual world, but, again, take everything he writes with a grain of salt because some of it cannot be found in Scripture. Pray about his words and ask God to direct you to the Truth found in his book, for there is definitely Truth in there!
PROS: DeStefano writes plainly so as to be understand by all readers, no matter where one is on his/her spiritual walk. A new Christian will find this book encouraging and challenging while an older Christian needs the reminders the author gives about the spiritual world. DeStefano challenges the reader to think about all worldly events from God's POV and he reminds us to change our sinful habits in order to become more like God.
CONS: Although DeStefano quotes some passages from Scripture and mentions the need to read Scripture, he rarely backs up his statements with passages from the Bible. He writes as if everything he says is truth without a Bible verse to back it up, which is very concerning. His chapter on angels, for example, was challenging for me to read because most of his statements about guardian angels and angels' intelligences cannot be found in the Bible. Obviously his Catholic tradition has shaped his beliefs in these matters, but how much of what he writes is actual truth??
Overall it is a good book to read if you want to read about the spiritual world, but, again, take everything he writes with a grain of salt because some of it cannot be found in Scripture. Pray about his words and ask God to direct you to the Truth found in his book, for there is definitely Truth in there!
July 29, 2011
I picked this book up because it looked interesting. Who doesn't like reading about the paranormal? I loved his first chapter, mentioning the haunt detector, how we subconsciously believe there is an invisible world; especially how we may say we believe in god but we are ultimately a secular society. I liked how DeStefano related his personal stories, but found the over all content of the book to be lacking.
Do read it if you are looking for modern perspectives in Christian theology. However, as a non-Christian I found some of his claims offensive and definitely lacking proof. His only evidence comes from thousands of years ago. It would have been nice if he had more contemporary incidences to prove the current existence of the invisible world. However, that might be my own dogma biasing me. I personally believe that the existence of demons and angels is perhaps a way to remove blame and consequence from yourself so as not to take responsibility or accountability for it; the power is in that accountability. But as I read further into the book, it seemed like accountability was DeStefano's point: Angels and Demons are behind everything you do, whether it be giving change to a homeless guy or getting addicted to drugs.
DeStefano seems like a nice guy from how he writes about his life experiences, but the book was ultimately boring and nothing new.
Do read it if you are looking for modern perspectives in Christian theology. However, as a non-Christian I found some of his claims offensive and definitely lacking proof. His only evidence comes from thousands of years ago. It would have been nice if he had more contemporary incidences to prove the current existence of the invisible world. However, that might be my own dogma biasing me. I personally believe that the existence of demons and angels is perhaps a way to remove blame and consequence from yourself so as not to take responsibility or accountability for it; the power is in that accountability. But as I read further into the book, it seemed like accountability was DeStefano's point: Angels and Demons are behind everything you do, whether it be giving change to a homeless guy or getting addicted to drugs.
DeStefano seems like a nice guy from how he writes about his life experiences, but the book was ultimately boring and nothing new.
Read
December 4, 2016I was given this book by a family member I respect enormously but who tends to see the world very differently than I do. I tried to read it as an ethnography and since it is clearly describing a culture different from my own I am not going to rate this book as I could only rate it from my point of view and not objectively. This book made some good points that speak to lonely people and those that need encouragement to think about the world outside themselves and use their lives for the good of others. However, most of it described some sort of mysticism that often contradicted itself. The author also claimed a lot of his beliefs were based in scripture but as someone who is well versed in Christian belief and even took steps towards entering seminary (began my discernment year), it was all new to me. I don't use the term blasphemy lightly but this man did speak for G-d without any scriptural basis. Make your own conclusions.
April 12, 2011
This was an excellent easy-to-read book about the world around us that contains the angels, why some of them are demons, and how we should interact with them. Although I did not agree with all of Mr. DeStefano's theology, I certainly learned some aspects that I either hadn't come across before or hadn't viewed in that way. I believe that anyone of any religious persuasion or non-beliefs would find the book interesting and challenging. It wasn't full of little anecdotal angel stories, nor was it an indepth treatise about the hierarchy of the angels, it was biblically based information proving that the invisible world of God exists put in a layman's language. Mr. DeStefano encouraged the readers to apply the information to their own life and learn to include God and his invisible force in their everyday existance.
October 15, 2012
I found this book extremely insightful. I really enjoyed the unique perspective the Author gave on the Spiritual world. Some may feel that the Author should have added more scripture, but I strongly disagree. This book is made to reach people of many different faiths and religions, and I feel it does a proper job of that. that being said, I do with that the Author would have added some footnotes on where some of his examples came from.
Over all, this is a book I would recommend to any person who needs or wants a better understanding of the "Invisible World".
Over all, this is a book I would recommend to any person who needs or wants a better understanding of the "Invisible World".
November 13, 2013
This book was very interesting. It made me think about angels and demons in ways I have never thought about before. This book really opened my eyes to the invisible spiritual world that exists all around us. Of course you can't take everything at face value since this isn't the Bible, but it does reference verses in the Bible frequently to make a strong case for what is being said throughout this book. Very thought provoking.
March 3, 2016
I would give this to someone who is just starting out in their faith or just getting back into it. It's a basic call-to-Christianity book. You can advertise it like, Hey, do you want to read about angels? and give them this book about Christian theology which is disguised as a book about angels.
This only touches briefly on the angel parts in the Bible, (because there aren't that many, as anyone who has read the Bible knows).
This only touches briefly on the angel parts in the Bible, (because there aren't that many, as anyone who has read the Bible knows).
October 29, 2012
I received this book from a First Reads Giveaway. I have my own faith, however I love learning about others perspectives and ideas. I thought this book would be uplifting and inspiring, but I often found myself insulted. There was too much preaching within this book and it was very hard for me to get through.
May 12, 2013
Whew! This is a prequel to the popular Threshold Series by Christa Kinde, Angels All Around is an illustrated short story set in a small town where not everyone is what they seem. The angels are invisible to normal humans as are the dark guys. The feeling of the book is one of being revved up, everything happens very quickly, don't and turn to the next page.
October 28, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up to help me with research for a book series that I am writing about angels and fallen angels. Not only did this book give me some wonderful ideas to use, but it also inspired me and gave me a better understanding of God.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews