Book

The Encyclopedia of Angels

📖 Overview

The Encyclopedia of Angels serves as a comprehensive reference guide to angelic beings across religions, cultures, and historical periods. This alphabetically organized resource covers angels from Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and other faiths, providing origins, roles, and significance of each entity. The book includes entries on archangels, guardian angels, fallen angels, and angel hierarchies, along with accounts of angel encounters throughout history. Each entry contains citations from religious texts, folklore, and historical documents to support the information presented. The encyclopedia examines the relationship between angels and humans, exploring their roles as messengers, protectors, and divine intermediaries. The text incorporates art history, mythology, and cultural perspectives to create context for angelic representations across civilizations. This reference work reveals the enduring human fascination with celestial beings and their influence on spiritual beliefs and practices. The collected information demonstrates how angel lore has shaped religious thought and continues to resonate in contemporary spirituality.

👀 Reviews

Readers describe this encyclopedia as a straightforward reference guide with entries on angels from multiple religions, cultures, and belief systems. Many note its value as a research tool and starting point for learning about angelic lore. Likes: - Clear organization and alphabetical format - Inclusion of lesser-known angels and entities - Cross-references between related entries - Historical context and source citations - Coverage of angels across different faiths Dislikes: - Some entries lack depth - Limited illustrations - Focus on Western/Abrahamic angels - Some readers wanted more practical/magical applications - Occasional editing errors Ratings: Goodreads: 4.05/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (85 ratings) One reader noted: "Good basic reference but doesn't go deep enough into non-Christian angels." Another stated: "Perfect for quick lookups but not comprehensive enough for serious research." The book receives consistent praise for accessibility while more academic readers sometimes find it too basic for advanced study.

📚 Similar books

Dictionary of Angels by Gustav Davidson A comprehensive reference guide cataloging angels across religious texts, apocryphal writings, and magical grimoires with origins, hierarchies, and functions.

Angels A to Z by James R. Lewis and Evelyn Dorothy Oliver An alphabetical compilation of angel entries drawing from Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and other traditions with historical context and cultural significance.

The Angel Bible by Hazel Raven A sourcebook of angelic beings from world traditions that includes their names, attributes, correspondences, and roles in spiritual practice.

Angels: The Complete Mythology of Angels and Their Everyday Presence by Charlotte Montague A historical examination of angel mythology through art, literature, and religious texts from ancient civilizations to modern interpretations.

A Dictionary of Angels: Including the Fallen Angels by Bernard J. Bamberger A scholarly reference work that traces angel lore through Hebrew, Christian, and Islamic sources with detailed entries on named angels.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔮 Author Rosemary Ellen Guiley wrote over 65 books on paranormal, spiritual, and mystical topics before her passing in 2019. ⚡ The Encyclopedia of Angels covers more than 2,000 years of angel lore across multiple religions and traditions. 👼 The book includes entries on both benevolent angels and fallen angels, featuring detailed descriptions of their roles, appearances, and historical significance. 📚 First published in 1996, the book has become a trusted reference source for researchers, writers, and practitioners of angel-focused spirituality. 🌟 Many of the angel descriptions in the book draw from ancient texts like the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Bible's Book of Enoch, and medieval grimoires.