Celebrities in Hell [Paperback]

Warren Allen Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 2002

Provides short biographical sketches of prominent people who have belief systems that dare to be different .

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

B‚la Bartok and Sally Jessy Raphael are among the damned in Warren Allen Smith's Celebrities in Hell, the follow-up to his Who's Who in Hell. Like the earlier volume, this book catalogues and celebrates atheists, humanists and other kinds of heretics, this time focusing on an idiosyncratic group from the last two centuries, from Douglas Adams, Richard Avedon and Debbie Harry to Mira Sorvino, Sir P.G. Wodehouse and Frank Zappa. In brief encyclopedia-style entries, Smith describes the worldview of each unbelieving artist or writer or showbiz type, and provides a thumbnail bio.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Drawn from the author's Who's Who in Hell, this edition focuses on celebrities artists, musicians, authors, actors, and those in the entertainment world whose beliefs are a bit out of the mainstream, embracing atheism, humanism, and skepticism of all sorts with a unifying antireligion theme. Each entry describes both the individual and what he or she has written or produced that could most aptly be categorized as freethinking. Though some entries are quite detailed, others are brief and seem a bit questionable. For example, there is a slight entry on Bo Derek, whose only claim to being a freethinker is that she once told Larry King that she is not in the least spiritual. She may in fact be due a spot here, but the entry isn't convincing. All the same, this is a fascinating reference work for a few reasons. First, it provides an intriguing compendium of people who might never be linked otherwise. Second, it provides a basis for comparison and a touchstone for skeptics everywhere who now have proof that they are not alone. An excellent starting point for research into any of the individuals included, this is recommended for large public and academic libraries. Manya Chylinski, Ctr. for Business Knowledge, Ernst & Young, Boston
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Barricade Books (April 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569802149
• ISBN-13: 978-1569802144
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,994,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From a different perspective..., January 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Celebrities in Hell (Paperback)

I found this book to be interesting even though I disagree with every worldview expressed in the book. I checked it out because I was curious to see more about how some famous celebrities see themselves, their purpose, and their place in this world. Its very reflective of our post-modernist culture, and the quotes from the book are a very diverse cross-section of atheistic, humanistic, and universalist views.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amusing Reading-- Worth a Look, November 25, 2005

By 

Chris Ward (Costa Rica) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celebrities in Hell (Paperback)

Allen has done a great job of seeking out quotes from celebrities showing their alignment with rationalism, and it's a refreshing visit with people we may not have thought of as free-thinkers. If you are a religious abstainer, you'll be encouraged by the number of others who share your views. And if you're a fundamentalist, you'll be pleased to identify a group you know will, for all eternity, be cast into a lake of fire for their base apostasy, heresy, blashemy, and infidelity.

A satisfying read either way.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating reference book, June 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Celebrities in Hell (Paperback)

Culled from Warren Smith's huge 'Who's Who In Hell', this focuses on celebrities and others in show business and in the arts who are non-believers, Freethinkers, Humanists, etc.
A fascinating and entertaining reference work, full of interesting facts and details.