Items related to The Devil: A New Biography
It is often said that the devil has all the best tunes. He also has as many names as he has guises. Lucifer, Mephistopheles, Beelzebub (in Christian thought), Ha-Satan or the Adversary (in Jewish scripture) and Iblis or Shaitan (in Islamic tradition) has throughout the ages and across civilizations been a compelling and charismatic presence. For two thousand years the supposed reign of God has been challenged by the fiery malice of his opponent, as contending forces of good and evil have between them weighed human souls in the balance. In this rich and multi-textured biography, Philip C Almond explores the figure of the devil from the first centuries of the Christian era through the rise of classical demonology and witchcraft persecutions to the modern post-Enlightenment 'decline' of Hell. The author shows that the Prince of Darkness, in all his incarnations, remains an irresistible subject in history, religion, art, literature and culture.
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Review:
'Lucid... coolly analytical... As Almond points out, in popular culture the Devil still repeatedly rides out.'
Lucy Hughes-Hallett, The Times
'Almond tells this complicated story succinctly and clearly, taking us through all the twists and turns with an unwavering eye.'
Peter Stanford, The Tablet
'Philip Almond charts Satan's 'life' from slightly confusing origins in the Bible to full-blown maturity as the cloven-footed devil of the Middle Ages. Almond sheds new light on the prince of darkness.'
Marcus Tanner, Independent
'The Devil has had a number of biographies over the years... any future ones will have to be measured against this latest excellent work...scholarly and readable, both a sound theological study and a fascinating examination of the role of the Devil through human history.' --
The Catholic Herald
'Philip Almond's new book is a triumph of the simple exposition of complex concepts. With humour and charm, it proceeds accessibly from the earliest Jewish writings on demons to eighteenth-century attempts to challenge the belief that Satan was active in human affairs. Angels, giants, demoniacs, witches and divines fill its pages, and the breadth of research informing the book is impressively broad. Yet the text is informal and readable. Almond has made theology and demonology approachable and his account rips along. Readers will find a wealth of great stories recounted here. The book also provokes serious thought about the process of demonising groupings belonging to despised sects or social groups, and the terrible consequences of regarding other people as agents of the devil. This is an entertaining and informative read.' --
Marion Gibson, Associate Professor of Renaissance and Magical Literatures, University of Exeter
"Philip Almond's new book is a triumph of the simple exposition of complex concepts. With humour and charm, it proceeds accessibly from the earliest Jewish writings on demons to eighteenth-century attempts to challenge the belief that Satan was active in human affairs. Angels, giants, demoniacs, witches and divines fill its pages, and the breadth of research informing the book is impressively broad. Yet the text is informal and readable. Almond has made theology and demonology approachable and his account rips along. Readers will find a wealth of great stories recounted here. The book also provokes serious thought about the process of demonising groupings belonging to despised sects or social groups, and the terrible consequences of regarding other people as agents of the devil. This is an entertaining and informative read." ---[Marion Gibson, Associate Professor of Renaissance and Magical Literatures, University of Exeter]
About the Author:
Lucy Hughes-Hallett, The Times
'Almond tells this complicated story succinctly and clearly, taking us through all the twists and turns with an unwavering eye.'
Peter Stanford, The Tablet
'Philip Almond charts Satan's 'life' from slightly confusing origins in the Bible to full-blown maturity as the cloven-footed devil of the Middle Ages. Almond sheds new light on the prince of darkness.'
Marcus Tanner, Independent
'The Devil has had a number of biographies over the years... any future ones will have to be measured against this latest excellent work...scholarly and readable, both a sound theological study and a fascinating examination of the role of the Devil through human history.' --
The Catholic Herald
'Philip Almond's new book is a triumph of the simple exposition of complex concepts. With humour and charm, it proceeds accessibly from the earliest Jewish writings on demons to eighteenth-century attempts to challenge the belief that Satan was active in human affairs. Angels, giants, demoniacs, witches and divines fill its pages, and the breadth of research informing the book is impressively broad. Yet the text is informal and readable. Almond has made theology and demonology approachable and his account rips along. Readers will find a wealth of great stories recounted here. The book also provokes serious thought about the process of demonising groupings belonging to despised sects or social groups, and the terrible consequences of regarding other people as agents of the devil. This is an entertaining and informative read.' --
Marion Gibson, Associate Professor of Renaissance and Magical Literatures, University of Exeter
"Philip Almond's new book is a triumph of the simple exposition of complex concepts. With humour and charm, it proceeds accessibly from the earliest Jewish writings on demons to eighteenth-century attempts to challenge the belief that Satan was active in human affairs. Angels, giants, demoniacs, witches and divines fill its pages, and the breadth of research informing the book is impressively broad. Yet the text is informal and readable. Almond has made theology and demonology approachable and his account rips along. Readers will find a wealth of great stories recounted here. The book also provokes serious thought about the process of demonising groupings belonging to despised sects or social groups, and the terrible consequences of regarding other people as agents of the devil. This is an entertaining and informative read." ---[Marion Gibson, Associate Professor of Renaissance and Magical Literatures, University of Exeter]
Philip C Almond is Emeritus Professor of Religion in the University of Queensland. His previous books include The Witches of Warboys: An Extraordinary Story of Sorcery, Sadism and Satanic Possession (2008), England's First Demonologist: Reginald Scot and 'The Discoverie of Witchcraft' (2011) and The Lancashire Witches: A Chronicle of Sorcery and Death on Pendle Hill (2012), all published by I.B.Tauris.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherI.B.Tauris
- Publication date2014
- ISBN 10 1780764030
- ISBN 13 9781780764030
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages288
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