A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angels and Other Subversive Spirits [Paperback]

Carol K. Mack (Author), Dinah Mack (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1999

Watch your back! . . . How to spot and identify demons and other subversive spirits . . . And what to do next.

Demons, fairies, and fallen angels are everywhere. They lurk at crossroads, crouch behind doors, hide in trees, slip into beds, wait in caves, hover at weddings and childbirths, disguise themselves as friends, relatives-even disguise themselves as you. They are powerful; they are protean; they are enchanting. And, to the uninformed, they are often invisible. This illustrated guide-the first of its kind-reveals the remarkable permutations of the demon and fairy species worldwide. Packed with lore about each demon, detailing its origins, the culture surrounding it, and its reputed antics and exploits, A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angels, and Other Subversive Spirits is a fascinating exploration of global mythologies. Perfect for the armchair traveler and the intrepid, seasoned demon-spotter alike, this complete guide to subversive spirits offers a behind-the-scenes look at the devilish mishaps, impish irritations, and demonic devastations that punctuate our lives.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Macks divert our gaze from our contemporary red-faced, cloven-hoofed misrepresentation of demons to remind us of the ancient roles demons were originally assigned to play. From the Tommyknockers of North American mountain mines to the South African Mbulu that waits in the river for lone travelers, A Field Guide to Demons classifies these creatures by their domains--water, mountain, forest--rather than in alphabetical or cultural order, dishing out antique and contemporary lore on these most misunderstood of spirits. A Field Guide to Demons melds folklore and mythology; maintains a surprisingly evenhanded view of demons; and reveals their role as the necessary challenger to established order, the antagonist--without which there could be no hero--and the darkness through which goodness shines brightest. --Brian Patterson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A round of applause for this demonic cast of characters . . . They let us glimpse other people's demons, and many of our very own." --Anna Deavere Smith, author of Fires in the Mirror

"An array of the most dreaded demons mythology has to offer." --Robert L. Carniero, Curator of South American Ethnology, American Museum of Natural History

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks; Owl Books ed edition (October 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080506270X
• ISBN-13: 978-0805062700
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,945 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

102 of 110 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Forewarned is Forearmed, July 20, 2002

By 

"badric" - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angels and Other Subversive Spirits (Paperback)

This is a great reference work: useful, accessible and well organised. The demons, fairies and other mythical beings featured in this book were taken from the legends and folklore of several cultures and they are grouped according to their place of residence: water, mountain, forest, desert, domicile and psyche. Each chapter includes a short description of the creature's appearance, habits and preferences; one of two stories of encounters with it; and a section on disarming and dispelling techniques.

This guide includes some fascinating creatures, such as the Japanese Kappa and its surprising eating habits, the helpful and friendly Norwegian Nisse, the extremely fragile Australian Mimi, and the Chinese Madame White, who gives a whole new meaning to the expression femme fatale. Some better known beings like mermaids and werewolves are also featured. The Macks' writing style is clear and engaging, sometimes tongue-in-cheek but never disrespectful to other cultures. The detailed information on how to deal with these creatures is particularly useful; if you ever encounter any of them you'll know what to do to be able to tell the tale.

59 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Casual entertainment, October 8, 2004

By 

Megan Knouff (Cincinnati, US) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angels and Other Subversive Spirits (Paperback)

Though the serious researcher or folklorist won't find much new content here, it's a fun and easy read with a unique format and a wide variety of entries. Most of the entries have associated stories, and some wonderfully unexpected things turn up (yes, Jung's Shadow is identified herein). And for that serious researcher? The bibliography is priceless, and I will probably go bankrupt amassing it. Do not, however, confuse this with an occult volume. This is simply legend and folklore.

31 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference Book, November 29, 2004

By 

Ursula K. Raphael "AstraDaemon, The Zombiephiles" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angels and Other Subversive Spirits (Paperback)

You could spend lots of money on all kinds of folklore & mythology books, and still not have as much information on the "darker entities" as this book.

Each entry is very detailed with description, habitations, sightings, etc.

I think this book would make a great gift for anyone interested in the supernatural, or even RPG GM's looking for new ways to torture their players... ;)