The Encyclopedia of Hell: A Comprehensive Survey of the Underworld

by Miriam Van Scott

Overview

The Encyclopedia of Hell is a comprehensive survey of the underworld, drawing information from cultures around the globe and eras throughout history. Organized in a simple-to-use alphabetic format, entries cover representations of the dark realm of the dead in mythology, religion, works of art, opera, literature, theater, music, film, and television. Sources include African legends, Native American stories, Asian folktales, and other more obscure references, in addition to familiar infernal chronicles from Western lore. The result is a catalog of underworld data, with entries running the gamut from descriptions of grisly pits of torture to humorous cartoons lampooning the everlasting abyss. Its extensive cross-referencing also supplies links between various concepts and characters from the netherworld and provides further information on particular theories.

Peruse these pages and find out for yourself what history's greatest imaginations have envisioned awaiting the wicked on the other side of the grave.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312244422
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	11/30/1999
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.72(d)

About the Author

Miriam Van Scott lives with her family in Manassas, Virginia. She is the author of Encyclopedia of Heaven (St. Martin's Press, 1999).

Editorial Reviews

Miriam Van Scott outpaces Dante...a Thomas Guide to the Dark Side.” —Detour magazine

“With entries ranging from Dante's Inferno to the 1994 noir film Dark Angel: The Ascent, Van Scot's hellacious handbook entertains as it guides readers through a cultural history of Hell.” —Publishers Weekly

“Fascinating reading...Van Scott's fine research and treatment of the material enables the reader to grasp specific points with great depth. All libraries will do well to add such a contemporary title.” —Library Journal

From the Publisher