|
|
|
|
Angels
A History
David Albert Jones
176 pages
|
17 black and white illustrations
|
120x170mm
978-0-19-958295-2
|
Hardback
|
25 March 2010
|
|
|
|
|
- Examines prominent stories and speculations about angels in several different religions, including Judaism, Islam, and Christianity
- Looks at how angels have been portrayed in art, literature, and cinema
- Considers the implications of angels and why people find the idea of angels attractive, helpful, or consoling
- Explores why angels remain so powerful in modern culture
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.Readership: General readers interested in angels and their cultural history and theology, as well
as students and academics in several disciplines including theology, philosophy, art history, history, literature, and film studies.
|
|
|
David Albert Jones, Professor in the School of Theology, Philosophy, and History at St Mary's University College, Twickenham
|
|
|
"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
|
|
|
1: Preface
2: A brief history of angels
3: Picturing angels
4: What is an angel?
5: Divine messangers
6: Ministering spirits
7: Heavenly hosts
8: Fallen angels
9: Wrestling with angels
Further reading
|
|
|
|
The specification in this catalogue, including without limitation price, format, extent, number of illustrations, and month of publication, was as accurate as possible at the time the catalogue was compiled. Occasionally, due to the nature of some contractual restrictions, we are unable to ship a specific product to a particular territory. Jacket images are provisional and liable to change before publication.
|
|
