A Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses, Devils and Demons [Paperback]

Manfred Lurker (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415039444 | ISBN-13: 978-0415039444 | Publication Date: July 21, 1987 | Edition: New edition

Containing around 1,800 entries this Dictionary covers, in one volume, all the important deities and demons from around the world. The gods of ancient mythology appear alongside the gods of contemporary religion, and `lesser' mythologies and religions are also fully covered. The author provides an extensive network of cross-references, allowing the reader to draw cross-cultural comparisons. The Dictionary will be an invaluable source of information for anyone interested in comparative religion or the diversity of religious views throughout the world.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; New edition edition (July 21, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415039444
• ISBN-13: 978-0415039444
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,019,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Thick but Shallow, October 23, 2000

By 

Joel M Sax - See all my reviews

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This review is from: A Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses, Devils and Demons (Paperback)

The number of entries is impressive. The articles themselves are often too short and do little to convey the richness of the literary heritage these figures represent or their place in their original cultures. The appendix in the back of the book, linking the different gods to their functions is helpful, but sometimes there are bothersome errors, like Lurker's insistance that Apollo is a death god. The translator did not take the time to research standard English spellings for some of the gods and goddesses, which can make it hard to find an entry. It should not be one's sole source for mythological reference.

2.0 out of 5 stars To bunched up, February 11, 2010

By 

Joan G. Zakrzewski "Joan G. Zakrzewski" (New Hartford, CT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses, Devils and Demons (Paperback)

This is not a very clear book. The author just throws everything ever written about a God or Goddess without it making any sense. There are better books out there, but this is not one of them. When you look up a Goddess, it should say what she was noted for and any dark side she has. The author throws word after word without any explanation. An example: Odin was best known as a God that gave us the Runes and searched for knowledge. The author calls him a God of the underworld. Really? Odin is not known in any book I ever read as any underworld God. If you buy this book you are going to be very confused about what these Gods and Goddesses did or stood for. It is just to thrown together.

3 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great factual info, May 21, 2000

By 

eric avinger - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses, Devils and Demons (Paperback)

this book helped me pass a class in english history! well put together