Who in Hell...: A Guide to the Whole Damned Bunch

by Sean Kelly, Rosemary Rogers

What do Warren G. Harding, Attila the Hun, and Louis B. Mayer have in common? These days, they're residing in that hip, hot neighborhood called Hell. Yes, according to the authors, these luminaries and millions (maybe trillions?) more have left our Earthly paradise with a one-ticket to the land of infernal flames. Irreverent, authoritative, accurate, and funny as . . . well, you know what, Who In Hell explains the sins of Hades' inhabitants and its not-so-civil servants. Illustrations.

Genres: History, Religion, Humor, Reference, Mythology, Nonfiction

258 pages, Paperback

First published January 30, 1996

About the author

Kelly previously wrote From The Faculty Lounge - the story of London Central High School, the Department of Defense Dependents School which closed in 2007 (and also avaiable through Bayberry Books). The school had been located on the bases at Bushy Park, Bushey Hall and Daws Hill, High Wycombe.

Reviews

[Redsteve]

This is a generally humorous list and brief descriptions of the occupants of Hell - both demons/devils and deceased humans suffering eternal damnation. The demons and devils are based on the bible, apocrypha, records of exorcisms and witchcraft trials, as well as books, poems, and plays. The authors also end up casting a fairly wide net to include supernatural beings that punish the wicked in the afterlife from not just Christian dogma, but also other religions and mythologies. The damned souls listed here are based on the authority of 'reliable eyewitnesses' (Dante being one of the most prolific) and "a miscellany of ancient and modern sinners who have seemed to have died unrepentant". FYI, most of these 'reliable witnesses' are in literature and poetry. The definition of 'sinner' is generally (but not exclusively) from a Catholic point of view (although there is no shortage of dead popes herein. Be warned that when it comes to biographical details, the authors were more than willing to sacrifice accuracy in the interest of humor and/or brevity. 3 stars.

[Kevin Woron]

A great “bathroom reader” although dated (Michael Eisner is no longer CEO at Disney). I am on my third copy of this truly funny list as people have borrowed it and never returned. I used one of the demons listed on my radio show for a segment on Saturday nights.

[Dan]

Helpful bios of real people currently roasting on spits in the underworld, and even more helpful bios of fictional ones (like fallen angels). Turns out you wouldn't prefer hell for the company after all.

[Ambre Cardinaud]

Witty and well researched however I wish there was more famous people and less demons and people who died 2000 years ago

[David]

I loved this, who is in hell and why. Some interesting surprises

[Victoria Blacke]

This is what I call a great "cocktail party" book. If you need some fun conversation starters flip thru this book. It is full of funny stories, crazy historical facts and downright nasty, brutish deeds! I think my favorite part is how they put Joan Crawford in Hell and the photo that accompanies the post is a signed one...to the authors!

[Precious]

Oh, this was Funny. I've read it at least ten times. My copy is all worn out now - I need to find another before it goes out of print.

[Mark Dickson]

I LOVE humorous biographical dictionaries like this. Quirky and thought provoking.