Angels : An Endangered Species

by Malcolm Godwin

A comprehensive and extensively illustrated celebration of angels throughout history explores the wealth of visual imagery and literary references devoted to these "winged messengers of the miraculous"

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Angels, Reference, Spirituality, Mythology, Christian

256 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 1990

Reviews

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does not have an index, which is frustrating for reference purposes. The author has put together a great deal of information, but seems to lack insight into anything other than the mainstream strains of religion. For instance, his understanding of Gnosticism is very poor indeed. The Gnostics cannot be said to have beliefs that can be put into neat little boxes, as the author has attempted to do. Rather, they were very diverse groups whose range in ideas were quite often at odds with each other, and were by no means a religious group. There were many different groups that can be called Gnostic, and some we include in the category of gnosticism, but would not have put themselves in that category. It is not possible to call out Gnosticism as a blanket statement.

While some Gnostics saw all of material creation as evil, and to be abhorred as the creation of the Demiurge, others did not share this view. Godwin's book lumps them all into the camp wherein materiality is despised. But groups such as the Valentinians and others had no such view, and indeed had love and respect for creation, all the while knowing that to be enlightened and liberated one must rise above it.

Godwin also states that Gnostics saw Yahweh as the devil or Satan. This is rarely true in Gnosticism. Yahweh, as the demiurge, was the unwitting tool of the true God in some instances, and a direct and conscious agent of God in others. In any of the number of Gnostic writings that I have at hand, I have never found a statement that the demiurge is the devil. The devil is an entirely different being altogether, and is considered of the enemy of both the demiurge and the true God.

How many other instances are there in this book of poor research? As I've read it I have marked areas to dispute, the above being the most obvious. The main Gnostic myth of Sophia happens to be the one given the least regard by Godwin, which makes me wonder what his agenda is.

Given the age of this book, I am made to wonder how many people have and will take at face value what is written in it. As I know that most people will not question anything put before them, they are likely to take this book as authoritative. Its a nice book, and I have enjoyed reading it, but there is clear bias as to the information in many places, and a poor understanding of some of it in others. I'm not sorry that I bought it, but I don't take anything at face value. Research, research, research.

[Romeo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a detailed book on the nature of angels in their role they play in nature of mankind and the cosmos. I've been looking for a book like this for a long time.

[Tiggy Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

At times l wanted to put this book down. It took me ages to read it. I somehow found the language monotone, factual and for a book about angels, boring.
But then, it is a very educational book in a way. It stands it ground. If you could take GCSE Angel studies then this book would get you there!

It is a great read and very educational. Which to my mind was the aim of the author. Well worth getting a copy of.
From The English Choir:The Magnificent Seven to UFO's, Theosophy and Hells Angels it's definitely a book l would recommend!

[Evee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do wish I could rate this higher. Godwin tackles a monumental task of summarizing and connecting centuries of religious doctrine on angels and the contrasting opinions of various canon. However in this task he becomes entangled and confused as to what or whom he is referring to, asking and leaving glaring questions unanswered.

I cannot ignore that this book desperately needs and is lacking an index! It also features dozens of glorious illustrations and depictions of various angels and deities, some of which go completely un-cited, and lacks all citations for the information found.

The passion is there, the premise is excellent, but the presentation is sub-par.

[Ronan Noane K · Rating 2 out of 5]

pseudo historisch
pseudo wetenschappelijk
echte hocus pocus

wel interessant als je iets het fenomeen 'engelen' wilt te weten komen.

[Bill reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the chaplets in the Pieta Prayer book is dedicated to the nine choirs of angels; Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels, and Choir of Angels. The first section of this book gives the historical context of these figures. All three of the major religions; Judaism, Christianity and Islam, share a worship of these angels. Archangel Gabriel is the only female archangel. She announced to Mary of her role in the birth of Jesus. The Hebrew term “Rapha” means Healer, and thus, Rapha-el is known as the angel of healing. Uri-el, or, “fire of God,” presides over Hell. Like a winged Santa Claus, he knows if you've been naughty or nice. He will hang those above an eternal fire by their tongues for blasphemy. His statue is next to my mother's ashes; along with Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the other three Guardian Angels. Sounding like a DC Comics superhero, Archangel Metatron, stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son Isaac. The Talmud gives a person 11,000 Guardian Angels at birth. Christians only get two; one at the right hand to inspire good and one at the left hand who encourages evil. Lust plays a major role in the falling of angels. As many of the males gave into temptation from human females. One Angel, Lilith, produced a daughter, Lilim, who managed to get it on with celibate monks while they slept. A very naughty angel who did not believe in the proscribed “missionary position.” Satan-el,” or, “Lucifer,” was God's favorite angel until he sat on God's throne and angered the Almighty. From the devil we get the Seven Deadly Sins; pride, greed, anger, lust, gluttony, envy and sloth. There are devils for everything and one of the most amusing is Melchi Dael, the Prince of Pimps, who will provide a man of any woman of his choice; the price being ones' soul. Lust(see Pharzuph) seems to be the most popular of man's sins. The concept of the Seven Heavens is shared by both Hebrew and Christian theology and was practiced earlier by the ancient Sumerians. Christians and Jews also have their own versions of Hell. The Hebrew one is temporary, whereas the Christian one promises eternal damnation. Godwin makes a connection between Ezekiel's description of “flaming wheels” with those of modern day UFO's. Atlantis and other legends are also analyzed. It ends with St. Francis of Assisi and his experience of the stigmata. How ironic it is that as I write this, on January 8 2021, the Speaker of the House recently pointed out that the city of San Francisco was named for the great saint and she paraphrased the prayer to him. God help America and may the angels of God(if they exist) save of us from ourselves.

[Mitch Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angels: An Endangered Species (1990) by Malcolm Godwin is a wonderful read.

There is lots of information in this book about angels. It is definitely a very informative book. I don’t believe in angels but I found it very interesting and there is lots of amazing illustrations in it. I think it is very jam-packed and there is lots for someone who believes in angels to enjoy and become engrossed in here. Some of it went a little over my head so I don’t think it is the most accessible book in the world if you don’t know a lot about angels prior to reading. It is definitely more for someone who has a good knowledge of the topic. In saying that I did learn a lot from the book. There is a lot packed in here as I said and it was very interesting. There is a lot about devils in the book as well so it is a book about angels but there is a lot of information about devils too.

It is a really good reference book. It probably needed some more citations about where information was found as that wasn’t always clear. It definitely came across as a work the author was passionate about which is always good to see. A lot of history here too which was really interesting. A really good book for anyone interested in a lot of areas like angels, devils, religion, mythology, history and art. I really loved the illustrations. They were really gorgeous and added to the text very well.

A great coffee table book and a great reference book.

[Cecil · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is as fascinating as it is deeply frustrating, primarily due to the complete lack of citation. Even quotes are not sourced and whilst the tone of the writing makes for an enjoyable and entertaining read, it is undermined by the reader's inability to actually assess the validity of the author's sweeping statements. Another symptom of the author not stating his sources is that it becomes incredibly muddied as to what faith, text and time he's actually referring to in any given moment. Some of the paintings are cited (presumably by the editor, given the note at the end), but not all. There's one page containing the drawing of Baphomet by Eliphas Levi front and centre that has no relation to the Baphomet, never names it and the author appears to be using it to illustrate a tangentially related concept with no recognition of the material being used. I assume some of the other material included is misleading as well, as other reviewers have pointed out. I want to love this book - an immense amount of research appears to have gone into it, which is why it's so disappointing that the author didn't go to the lengths of doing the basic groundwork that would validate his efforts.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of Angels throughout history as well as some ideas of what they have morphed into today.

Many of the angels are described by name. Many Christian, Jewish, and Muslim stories included. Canonical, heretical, and pop culture are all covered.

Engaging for its textbook structure with plenty of pictures and an almost snarky tone in some places. I laughed out loud several times.

[The Angry Lawn Gnome · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it rather difficult to get my arms around this book. Unfortunately, every positive thing I can say about this book -- and there were quite a few things to say in that sense -- must be qualified, and there were also several out and out negatives that left me rather wincing. Though in all candor I am simply going to limit this review to two or three things that struck me the most. Apologies at the brevity.

First, this volume works quite well as a "coffee table" type book. The artwork chosen was superb, the layout of the pictures was quite well done and a great deal of care seemed to have been taken with the layout. Unfortunately, the citations of the images was often quite confusing. As in three or four pages after the actual picture appeared, with the citations sometimes preceding the images, and sometimes following. And for no reason I could figure. And there were also several places where there was no citation of any kind, at least that I could see. (See the M.C. Escher images pp. 16-17).

Second, the scholarship. At best it could be classed as "mixed." I thought Part I was fairly well done, until I noticed this review here (citation needed) that took issue with the presentation of Gnosticism in Chapter 4. I recommend reading that review, since the author is -- too put it mildly -- far more informed than I on that particular topic. And even with the first three chapters, I'm afraid a fair amount of it simply seemed a rehash of A Dictionary of Angels: Including the Fallen Angels, though presented in a far more readable fashion. As in, a narrative rather than a dictionary format. And as for Part II? Sigh. Things start off loopy and proceeded only to fall further and further down the rabbit hole. Angels (and devils) as extraterrestrials, bizarre religious cults as legitimate interpreters of religious experience and so forth. It seemed to me, at any rate, that the author had determined to shut off his critical faculty, and to take issue with anyone who decided to exercise theirs. Very odd.

Finally, some crazy loose ends. Though I'm afraid I didn't note all the ones I stumbled across, I do remember one in the "Acknowledgments," on p. 255. Mr. Godwin thanks a particular editor for all the "extensive footnotes" in the first draft. Which is certainly interesting, since NONE of these footnotes made it into the published volume, either as footnotes, endnotes, or even as the most general sort of citation. I'm uncertain what to make of that.

[April · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love the artwork in this book but am totally put off by the facts listed within. It doesn't list one reference for any of the facts. While I am gnostic and I love and agree with some of them, I have to be able to research them and read the original authors. At least give me an idea where your quotes come from. This book doesn't do that and for that reason I had to give it one star. The artwork is fantastic though.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exquisitely illustrated guide to angels that I obsessed over as a child. It's a strange mix of scholarly & New Age, and as an adult, I see it with a more critical eye (the part on aliens is weird). But I learned a lot from it (about St. Teresa of Avila, for example, and the difference between seraphim, cherubim, & thrones). Recommended for those interested in angels & Judeo-Christian art.

[Cleolinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An encyclopedic--but whimsical--look at angels and their classifications. The final chapter asks the intriguing question: what we call UFOs now, did they call angels then?

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charts the evolution of the angel in full color, from the kerrubim of Mesopotamia through to the Chariots of the Gods. Truly beautiful art, well-researched. A good time was had by all

[Amy Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference book about angels and the mythology surrounding them.

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed historical accounts of angels throughout the centuries along with the hierarchy. An interesting read to add to anyone's collection

[Anne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for an inspirational, uplifting, spiritual book about angels, this book is not for you. As some of the reviews have said, this book is for research and for one who is interested in medieval and prehistoric thinking of angels and demons. As one who is interested in angels, I made the most of it and focused on parts that were not only interesting, but also not difficult to understand. Some interesting tidbits and questions after reading:
The Chronicles of Enoch are constantly being referred to. Being a Christian, I am unfamiliar with Enoch, and some parts were bizarre.
I learned more about the different kinds of angels, like the Archangels, and what they did in the past.
There are supposedly, in a hypothesis, seven heavens and seven earths. None of these places described anything magnificent, only one of the heavens, which had the abode of God. One of the earths, for example, had the descendents of Adam and were afflicted with melancholia. I wondered out of all these places, none mention where our deceased loved ones may reside.
Kind of eye opening reading about the similarities between Angels and UFO's.
Interesting theory about who came before Adam and Eve. Were they created from angels?
There are many images of flying machines in ancient times.
There is evidence of electric light in ancient times.
How could people have figured out all this knowledge in the beginning of time? Did other beings come down to help them? (Angels? Extra terrestrials?)
Wrapping it up, I feel this sums it up: Angels remain an inseparable part of each one of us.