Angels A to Z

by James R. Lewis, Evelyn Dorothy Oliver, Andy Lakey (Foreword)

Explores how angels have been portrayed in the mythology, literature, art, religion, folklore, and architecture of ancient, contemporary and pop cultures

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

485 pages, Hardcover

First published August 31, 1995

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Leonardo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Angels have long-been a subject of spirituality and art and this book covers everything from celestial hierarchies to the infernal legions, as well as "contemporary" (90s) artists and practitioners of angel-focused spirituality. Although it's mostly focused on Western source (Judaism, Christianity, Teosophy, and New Age), the authors also made a reasonably well-researched attempt to include other religious traditions (from Zoroastrism, to Hinduism and Budddishm). The authors even made the honest move of pointing out contradictory views about the same angelic or demonic beings, the celestial hierarchies, or even the nature of fallen angels. Having said that... the choice of entries sometimes feel random and repetitive, and some entries seem too light (even for a book aimed at a general audience). The inclusion of some of the contemporary personalities and artists is a little suspicious or too hopeful, as a cursory Google search will show that their popularity or importance faded after the 1990s. Consequently, for a book that deals with an eternal/spiritual subject, Angels: A to Z feels a bit dated, but that "flaw" also opens a window to a particular point in the Western/American spiritual quest. Although the "angel fever" has waxed and waned since the mid-90s, this book remains a good introduction to a particular vein of spirituality and Christianity and can point anyone interested in a deeper study of the subject to several interesting sources.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thorough reference book on angels from the familiar Biblical angels Gabriel and Michael, to the lovable Clarence from "It's A Wonderful Life." Organized alphabetically, it has a good index and list of other angel resources for those wanting to pursue the subject further. It covers art featuring angels, like William Blake's illustrations of the book of Job, angels on TV like Roma Downey's Monica, fallen angels, guardian angels, obscure angels, literature and music about angels, even quotations about angels. As Zora Neale Hurston said in "Their Eyes Were Watching God"--"It must be recess in heaven if St. Peter is letting his angels out."

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise! A book about angels that is not an offensive, propagandist new age piece of fluff --which is what I expect when I pick up any book about angels. This book was informative, engaging, helpful, and enlightening about many topics related to angels including specific angels named in various texts, angels in different cultures and religions, and sources for angel-related material. I actually felt I was "coming home" when I read this (and I haven't finished it yet) because of the connections to the Archive for Research in Archetypal Symbols. While this writing style is not academic, it is real and well done.

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another reference book that I enjoy browsing on occasion. The authors are a bit credulous in my opinion but many of the entries make for interesting reading, and their definition of "angel" is broad enough to encompass not only Christianity but also Judaism, Islam and Eastern faiths like Hinduism and Buddhism.

[Paola Villarreal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitivamente es un libro que me tomó un mes terminar ya que maneja conceptos de diferentes religiones que desconozco.

La existencia de Los Angeles la toma cada uno a sus experiencias y en lo que cree. Este libro es un diccionario de todo lo referente a Los Angeles. Sus historias en: el cristianismo, el judaísmo, el Zoroastrismo, el movimiento new age, y muchas otras corrientes y religiones.

Habla acerca de Los Angeles en la literatura, la música, el arte, las esculturas.

Cuenta historias de evangelistas que siempre pensaron en la existencia de Los Angeles y de como todas las religiones hablan de ellos de diferente manera.

Para las personas que creemos en la existencia de algo más allá, de que hay ángeles guardianes, de que existen y que están ahí o quizás aquí con nosotros, es maravilloso. Cuenta también historias de los elementales y de cómo Los Angeles han estado siempre en la tierra y son seres más superiores que nosotros.

Lo recomiendo si tienes una mente abierta. Si no es así, ni lo lean.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a decent enough general reference for angels, demons, and the religions / mythologies within which they appear. It focuses a bit overmuch on New Age thinking and theories, frequently harping on the same topics repeatedly (faeries, the Findhorn community, New Age visual artists and authors) and could stand a bit of editing to maybe cut down the number of times the same quotes or passages are cited (referencing the Nephilim in particular seems to show up every dozen pages). There's more missing than there is present, but as a basic primer and reference book for quick look-ups such as angelic hierarchy, angels of the days / months / Zodiac / et cetera, or what a particular angel's name means in Hebrew, it's perfectly adequate.

[amomentsilence · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read through a good majority of this book, mostly using it as reference one of the novels I'm writing. I'll probably end up picking up this volume to have in my collection for the next time I need a complete reference of different angels, principalities, dignitaries, and the like.

[Comicfairy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book, vastly informative. Also recommended is "A Dictionary of Angels" by Gustav Davidson, which includes many fallen angels and an intense bibliography as well.

[Jangel · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyed.

[Kimberly Swor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reference book.

[Jovy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Credible information resource or reference about angels throughout the history. From the biblical to fictional angels...angels in painting to angels in tv shows or movies!