Rating: 
Summary: Indispensable Reference
Review: This is an enormously important reference work for anyone who would like to check if a historical or contemporary figure was or is a religious believer. Most standard encyclopedias will provide whole biographies of important persons, but obscure the fact they had grave doubts about God. Many of the fathers of the American Revolution were not Christians, but deists who accepted only the existence of a prime mover not Jesus. This does not prevent foolish, uninformed believers from claiming this country was founded as a "Christian" nation.Smith will be criticized for many of his difficult choices and assertions. The book distinguishes between major entries, real unbelievers; minor entries of persons who only wrote something related to unbelief, and peripheral entries. To assess a person's belief is always difficult. Our concepts of religion and faith are arbitrary. Different convictions may be expressed in various writings, and belief may change over time. In addition, many persons had reason to obscure their doubts or pretend to a faith they did not share. For this reason, very few modern American politicians will be found in Hell. Readers will find some good humor, many Nobel laureates in science, literature, and peace, as well as most important philosophers and a few statesmen in Hell. Mark Twain had it truly right when he suggested we go to "Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company." No religious or secular library should be without this book.
Rating:
Summary: Required reading for atheists, freethinkers and skeptics!
Review: Warren Allen Smith's "Who's Who in Hell" is an incredible work that is sure to please the most jaded agnostic or "get God off the currency" atheist. An astonishing compendium of many years of research and personal experience, Smith has produced a classic that should be placed in every reference section of every library. You can't help but be fascinated by the exhaustive list of entries and the poignant writing style. Many priests, pastors, ministers, shaman and popes will be hiding in the closet with this book.
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