A Guide to the Gods

by Richard Carlyon

Thoroughly cross-referenced and arranged alphabetically and geographically, more than one thousand entries describe the gods and goddesses of America, Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and the island cultures of Oceania

Genres: Mythology

401 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Amanda Ure · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly comprehensive and fascinating read, although written by a Christian, this book is remarkably balanced and fair, although he does tend to wax rather lyrical on Christ and Allah. It covers a lot of less well-known mythologies, such as the rather amusingly Eeyore-like Araucanian religion which has to be read to be believed, Slavs, central Africas, Australia and Voodoo.

A topical note which will date this review terribly: If you happen to be reading or watching Neil Gaiman's fantastic 'American Gods', keep this by your elbow because it will really help you follow it.

[Dr. Carl Ludwig Dorsch · Rating 1 out of 5]

A sorry confusion.

Random entry: Erh-Lang

"Guardian god who chased away evil spirits.

Called 'Second Lord', Erh-Lang was the nephew of the Jade Emperor (Yu-Huang-Shang-Ti). He was a shape-shifter and had up to seventy-two different bodily forms. He was once swallowed by the Transcendent Pig whom he slew for his foolhardiness. Erh-Lang was a popular god in China and was widely worshipped."

What more could you want to know?

[Kelly Searsmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entries give not only a basic description of gods, but place them within the stories of the originating mythologies. Writing style is readable; entries sometimes include humor and commentary. A light but educational read. Second time I've read this, after many years absence, and the book holds up.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, quick reference to have on hand. Useful for the grandchildren.