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Who's Who in Hell: A Handbook and International Directory for Humanists, Freethinkers, Naturalist, Rationalists and Non-Theists
This listing of several thousand nonbelievers include ancients such as Euripides; French revolutionaries; and statements by or about countless individuals including Sir Arthur C.Clarke, Hugh Hefner, Jack Nicholson, Sally Jesse Raphael. This book makes a case not only for the respectabilty of nonbelievers but also for their positive outlooks and creativity.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
1237 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2000
About the author
Warren Allen Smith
10 books5 followersIn 1921, Warren Allen Smith was born in Minburn, Iowa. He graduated from Iowa State Teachers College with a B.A. in English in 1948, and received his M.A. in American Literature from Columbia University in 1949. During his time in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946, Smith was known as “the atheist in a foxhole,” according to his website. He worked as a high school English teacher from 1949 to 1986. In 1961, Smith co-founded the independent recording studio Variety Recording Studio.
Smith’s fame is mainly borne from his journalism, which often touches on humanist issues. He was book review editor for The Humanist from 1953 to 1958 and wrote the column “Humanist Potpourri” for Free Inquiry from 1997 to 1998, as well as writing columns for The Freethinker, The American Rationalist and Skeptical Inquirer. He wrote the books Who’s Who in Hell: A Handbook and International Directory for Freethinkers, Humanists, Naturalists, Rationalists, and Non-Theists (2000) and Celebrities in Hell (2002), which are extensive compilations of famous freethinkers. Smith’s other books include Gossip from Across the Pond (2005) and In the Heart of Showbiz (2011).
In college, Smith rejected his Methodist upbringing and became an outspoken humanist and freethinker. In an article for The New York Observer on August 14, 2000, Smith wrote: “If you’re the member of an organized church group, you really have to have a guilt complex. You have to feel guilty about not loving God enough or not contributing enough money or not contributing enough to society.” He describes himself as a “humanistic naturalist” in his book Who’s Who in Hell (2000). In 1948, he formed the first college humanist club in the United States. Smith’s other accomplishments include being vice president of The Bertrand Russell Society from 1977 to 1980, serving as treasurer of the Secular Humanist Society of New York from 1988 to 1993. He created Philosopedia (www.philosopedia.org), an online reference of philosophers and atheists.
Smith’s fame is mainly borne from his journalism, which often touches on humanist issues. He was book review editor for The Humanist from 1953 to 1958 and wrote the column “Humanist Potpourri” for Free Inquiry from 1997 to 1998, as well as writing columns for The Freethinker, The American Rationalist and Skeptical Inquirer. He wrote the books Who’s Who in Hell: A Handbook and International Directory for Freethinkers, Humanists, Naturalists, Rationalists, and Non-Theists (2000) and Celebrities in Hell (2002), which are extensive compilations of famous freethinkers. Smith’s other books include Gossip from Across the Pond (2005) and In the Heart of Showbiz (2011).
In college, Smith rejected his Methodist upbringing and became an outspoken humanist and freethinker. In an article for The New York Observer on August 14, 2000, Smith wrote: “If you’re the member of an organized church group, you really have to have a guilt complex. You have to feel guilty about not loving God enough or not contributing enough money or not contributing enough to society.” He describes himself as a “humanistic naturalist” in his book Who’s Who in Hell (2000). In 1948, he formed the first college humanist club in the United States. Smith’s other accomplishments include being vice president of The Bertrand Russell Society from 1977 to 1980, serving as treasurer of the Secular Humanist Society of New York from 1988 to 1993. He created Philosopedia (www.philosopedia.org), an online reference of philosophers and atheists.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 17, 2011
Mark Twain said it best, "Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company." This is a voluminous reference book of non-believers throughout history. Fascinating quick-session reading. I'm an atheist, but on the slim chance I'm wrong, it's nice to know that once I descend to the flaming depths, I'll have eternity to engage in stimulating conversations (in between torture sessions) with all the free-thinkers.
March 7, 2023
I don't think I could ever "finish" reading this book, certainly not in the short time I have it checked out from the library.
I am glad this book exists. This is a massive undertaking, and I admire it greatly. Skimming through the entries, one sees names that are familiar and names that are new. Reading some entries piqued my curiosity to learn more, others angered me at the injustices. One thing is for sure, here is evidence we are not alone. Humanists, Freethinkers, and Atheists abound and have existed everywhere throughout recorded history, it seems.
This book is heavy, and quite expensive. My inflammatory arthritis hurts just trying to lift it and hold it to read. Having been progressively more nearsighted since age eleven, the author's choice to use smaller and smaller fonts for items deemed of marginal interest means I'd need a magnifying glass to read what are actually some fascinating background entries. Ideally, this huge tome would have been a series of smaller books. As it is, many of the entries are barely adequate and would have to be researched more thoroughly elsewhere. I will not be purchasing it for my personal library. Still, very, very impressive.
I am glad this book exists. This is a massive undertaking, and I admire it greatly. Skimming through the entries, one sees names that are familiar and names that are new. Reading some entries piqued my curiosity to learn more, others angered me at the injustices. One thing is for sure, here is evidence we are not alone. Humanists, Freethinkers, and Atheists abound and have existed everywhere throughout recorded history, it seems.
This book is heavy, and quite expensive. My inflammatory arthritis hurts just trying to lift it and hold it to read. Having been progressively more nearsighted since age eleven, the author's choice to use smaller and smaller fonts for items deemed of marginal interest means I'd need a magnifying glass to read what are actually some fascinating background entries. Ideally, this huge tome would have been a series of smaller books. As it is, many of the entries are barely adequate and would have to be researched more thoroughly elsewhere. I will not be purchasing it for my personal library. Still, very, very impressive.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews