The Encyclopedia of Hell

by Miriam Van Scott

The Encyclopedia of Hell is 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.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Religion, Mythology

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Miriam Van Scott is the author of the Encyclopedia of Hell and Encyclopedia of Heaven (Macmillan) as well the children's book Boomer's Criss-Cross Christmas, a look at holiday customs from around the world, and Song of Old: An Advent Calendar for the Spirit.
Her first novel, Bandun Gate, February 2022 from darkstroke books, is a fact-inspired horror story of battling ghosts and demons along the haunted shores of Charleston, South Carolina.
She also pens the series Shakespeare Goes Pop! - which re-imagines famous movie, television, sports, newsmakers and other quotes in Elizabethan style. The first volume, Hollywood Edition, also offers "Who Said It Better?" match ups pitting quips from the Bard against Kanye West, David Spade, Jerry Seinfeld and other celebrities on various themes. Volume 2, Sports Edition also available on Amazon.

Van Scott is an eleven time contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul series and has contributed to magazines, news sources and media including projects for Good Housekeeping, The History Channel, ABC's 20/20 Sci-Fi, The Learning Channel, Paramount Entertainment Group and Gannett.

Reviews

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title sums this up pretty well; short entries on various infernal subjects, arranged alphabetically. Theological concepts, mythological characters and stories, art, poetry, film, theater, opera and just about everything else having to do with the down side of the after life gets covered within, although the attention Van Scott decides to give each subject is sometimes curious. For example, about two pages are spent summarizing the plot of the popular film Beetlejuice, while the native Hawaiian god of the underworld only gets a sentence or two—certainly most readers could find info on the former by themselves a lot easier than the could find out more about the latter.

[Ilana Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good inspiration for your darker works (if you're a writer) or your darker moods (if you're a reader). You know what struck me most? How everyone���s version of hell is different.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to have more information on what you read in your horror novels or look for inspiration on what horror to focus next this huge book definitely gives you the proper ideas. Great illustrations, all major catchwords from A-Z, demons, authors, movies, music (e.g. Bat out of Hell or Hotel California), Faust legend... for every fan of horror (and I guess you are one) this is the ultimate source. The author fulfills her promise and comes up with everything I ever heard of. Highly recommended!

[TimetoFangirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a super interesting dive into various underworld-related myths, folktales, and pop culture from around the world.

I would've liked it a bit more if the author cited her sources in the text a bit more often so that I could research further.

[Syhalla Ampula · Rating 3 out of 5]

A to Z of the underworld. What more can you ask for? (Didn't ever finish it though. Good for reference, not so great for an afternoon read.)

[Matt Marro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sort of a silly book; purchased more for shock/kitsch value than anything else. Useful if you need to know anything about hell; includes an entry on heavy metal music.

[Mahmood Sherwani · Rating 5 out of 5]

i luv satanic..and hellish stench...