Encyclopedia of Hell

Rating:
Summary: Cum Grano Salis
Review: By a writer who really knows how to write readable, interesting, flowing material! From its first entry---"Abbadon" (Hebrew for "destruction")---to its last---Zoroastrainism" ("a faith that predates both Christianity and Islam")---this book is exactly what it claims to be: "a comprehensive survey of the underworld." One problem with it: hard to read it through, in sequence---entries are so fascinating, I kept jumping from topic to topic. But that's ok---it is not narrative, but fun-to-read entries about . . . oh, the hell with it---go find out for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: the entries are highly entertaining
Review: Encyclopedia of Hell by Miriam Van Scott (Author) is another collection in dictionary style format (much like the book of angels, demons, and fairies reviewed earlier on the site here) which presents a very thorough overview of everything devilish from ancient cultures to modern day advertising. A very engrossing and interesting read, although its layout seems very academic, the entries are highly entertaining and make up for the academic approach this book provides. From Abadadon to Zoraster, this book covers it all, a great reference for those looking to spice up their library and get a better overview of how pervasive the influence of hell is in modern day society.

Rating:
Summary: Good, But Not Definative
Review: Miriam Van Scott's Encyclopedia of Hell is chock full of interesting definitions, descriptions, and anecdotes concerning many different aspects of devils, demons, occultists, and various underworld myths from across a wide range of religions and cultures. It contains brief descriptions of many lesser-known or obscure demonic and diabloic charaters and often long entries for other rather well-known people and places. Overall, this book is quite interesting and serves as a good quick reference guide. However, any encyclopedia of Hell is going to be a major affair that would seriously require seveal volumes. There has yet to be a truly all-inclusive effort to describe the myths and legends of the Underworld and everything related to the afterlife and the damnation of the soul. This books does its best to cover everything but falls short of being the last word on Hell.

Rating:
Summary: Cum Grano Salis
Review: Over all, this is a decent book. However, be aware that there are some inaccuracies, possibly based on the author's personal biases. For example, Olodumare is not an underworld deity in the Yoruba pantheon, and neither is Obatala an underworld judge. Also, Wotan (Germanic) and Erlik (Siberian) are not deities who fell "out of grace" with a higher ('good') divinity. There are many more such examples. Either the author has deliberately skewed the information, or her sources are inaccurate. If you are buying this book in order to do serious research, be prepared to cross reference with other sources--preferably the originals.