The Encyclopedia of Hell A Comprehensive Survey of the Underworld [Paperback]

The Encyclopedia of Hellis a comprehensive survey of the underworld, drawing information from cultures around the globe and eras throughout history. Organized in a simple-to-use alphabetic format, entries cover representations of the dark realm of the dead in mythology, religion, works of art, opera, literature, theater, music, film, and television. Sources include African legends, Native American stories, Asian folktales, and other more obscure references, in addition to familiar infernal chronicles from Western lore. The result is a catalog of underworld data, with entries running the gamut from descriptions of grisly pits of torture to humorous cartoons lampooning the everlasting abyss. Its extensive cross-referencing also supplies links between various concepts and characters from the netherworld and provides further information on particular theories.

Peruse these pages and find out for yourself what history's greatest imaginations have envisioned awaiting the wicked on the other side of the grave.

Miriam Van Scottlives with her family in Manassas, Virginia. She is the author ofEncyclopedia of Heaven(St. Martin's Press, 1999).

Miriam Van Scott outpaces Dante...aThomas Guideto the Dark Side. Detour magazine

With entries ranging from Dante'sInfernoto the 1994 noir filmDark Angel: The Ascent,Van Scot's hellacious handbook entertains as it guides readers through a cultural history of Hell. Publishers Weekly

Fascinating reading...Van Scott's fine research and treatment of the material enables the reader to grasp specific points with great depth. All libraries will do well to add such a contemporary title. Library Journal