What are angels? Where were they first encountered? Can we distinguish angels from gods, faeries, ghosts, and aliens? And why do they remain so popular? In this introduction to the history of angels, David Albert Jones outlines some of the more prominent stories and speculations about angels in Judaism, Islam, Christianity and post-Christian spiritualities. He reflects on the way angels are portrayed in art, whether as young men in the Hebrew Scriptures, androgynous winged creatures of the pre-Raphaelites, or the masculine statue of the Angel of the North. He also considers angels in films such as Wim Wenders' Wings of Desire, and Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, as well as angels in literature. From the idea of the angel as a messenger, through to the image of angels sent to protect and help those in need, this is an examination of the implications of angels. It asks why people find the idea of them so attractive, helpful or consoling, and why they remain so powerful in modern culture. In this thought-provoking introduction, Jones considers the view that reflecting on angels can teach us something about human existence. Whether or not we believe that they exist in their own right, angels can still illuminate our thoughts.
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Those interested in angels and seeking an informative and readable introduction will find this book quite valuable. (Expository Times )
This is an interesting little book. (Expository Times )
Small but perfectly formed volume...everyone should have this book. (Peter Brookesmith, Fortean Times )
If anybody should know about angels, it's this guy... a very intelligent but very accessibly history. (Kate Saunders, BBC Radio 2 )
A colourful and comprehensive overview of our fascination with angels. (Peter Stamford, The Independent )
As a guide to the celestial realms, I would put my faith in him any day. (Peter Stamford, The Independent )
This is a good book. (Stephen Cave, Financial Times )
The first stop for anyone seriously interested in angels. (Christopher Howse, The Telegraph )
This is an interesting little book. (Expository Times )
Small but perfectly formed volume...everyone should have this book. (Peter Brookesmith, Fortean Times )
If anybody should know about angels, it's this guy... a very intelligent but very accessibly history. (Kate Saunders, BBC Radio 2 )
A colourful and comprehensive overview of our fascination with angels. (Peter Stamford, The Independent )
As a guide to the celestial realms, I would put my faith in him any day. (Peter Stamford, The Independent )
This is a good book. (Stephen Cave, Financial Times )
The first stop for anyone seriously interested in angels. (Christopher Howse, The Telegraph )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Pillowtail
Format:Hardcover
Let's face it, we know very little about angels and much of what passes for angelology is built on speculation based on speculation founded on speculation and grounded in speculation. What little we do know is covered in this book and you should forget any other book on the subject if you want a general historical overview on the subject. Although written by a Christian the contents cover the monotheistic faiths and the role of angel-like beings in other faiths as well, and that was all very useful for me as to how to order, place and catalogue the various beings. In fact you will learn that each angel is its own species. Cheap and cheerful, concise and yet it covers the subject like a perfectly well fitting glove.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Erin B
Format:Hardcover
I really enjoyed this book. It is small but has quite a lot of information in it. It is not sentimental, just factual. The references to angels abound in all sorts of places. It answers questions like: When did halos first get portrayed with angels?, When did angels stop being just male?, What are the implications of this?, What do the cherubim and seraphim look like?. It has been a pleasure to read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Eileen Furze
Format:Hardcover
`Angels: A History' is an excellent, if rather brief, introduction to the subject of these celestial beings and their origins in Jewish, Christian and Islamic scripture. Although the text is quite dry at times and can read like an edited essay, it manages to cover a lot of ground in a very simple, factual way which meant that I learned quite a lot from a relatively short book. This book would not be out of place in the excellent Oxford `Short Introductions to...' range, which, if you are familiar with this series, gives an indication of its style.
My only criticism of this book is that its title is a bit of a misnomer. It is not really a history of the angels, more a summary of the original sources on the subject and what they tell us about these beings. In a way, it feels like the first few chapters of a longer book. Although more modern representations of angels, including on film and in art, are mentioned, it is always to support a point made rather than as part of a linear, chronological narrative.
Even so, this is still a fascinating insight into where our modern idea of angels came from and gives some indication as to why they have remained such an emotive concept within modern cultures. Recommended for those curious about the subject but who do not know where to start.
My only criticism of this book is that its title is a bit of a misnomer. It is not really a history of the angels, more a summary of the original sources on the subject and what they tell us about these beings. In a way, it feels like the first few chapters of a longer book. Although more modern representations of angels, including on film and in art, are mentioned, it is always to support a point made rather than as part of a linear, chronological narrative.
Even so, this is still a fascinating insight into where our modern idea of angels came from and gives some indication as to why they have remained such an emotive concept within modern cultures. Recommended for those curious about the subject but who do not know where to start.
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