Three new titles examining the shadowy creatures that lurk in the worlds of 'vision and belief'
. Descriptions taken from publishers' websites.
Theresa Bane. Encyclopedia of Demons in World Religions and Cultures. McFarland & Co Inc. (January 15, 2012.
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This exhaustive volume catalogues nearly three thousand demons in the mythologies and lore of virtually every ancient society and most religions. From Aamon, the demon of life and reproduction with the head of a serpent and the body of a wolf in Christian demonology, to Zu, the half-man, half-bird personification of the southern wind and thunder clouds in Sumero-Akkadian mythology, entries offer descriptions of each demon’s origins, appearance and cultural significance. Also included are descriptions of the demonic and diabolical members making up the hierarchy of Hell and the numerous species of demons that, according to various folklores, mythologies, and religions, populate the earth and plague mankind. Very thoroughly indexed.
Asa Simon Mittman, Peter Dendl. The Ashgate Research Companion to Monsters and the Monstrous. Ashgate Publishing Group
A comprehensive guide to the study of monsters and the monstrous from historical, regional and thematic perspectives. It reflects the multi-disciplinary nature of monster studies, bringing in scholars from literature, art history, religious studies, history, classics, and cultural and media studies.
The field of monster studies has grown significantly over the past few years and this companion provides a comprehensive guide to the study of monsters and the monstrous from historical, regional and thematic perspectives.
The collection reflects the truly multi-disciplinary nature of monster studies, bringing in scholars from literature, art history, religious studies, history, classics, and cultural and media studies. The companion will offer scholars and graduate students the first comprehensive and authoritative review of this emergent field.
Leo Ruickbie. A Brief Guide to the Supernatural: Ghosts, Vampires and the Paranormal. Robinson. (February 16, 2012.)
From Most Haunted to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, from Underworld to Twilight, from Doom to Resident Evil, The Brief Guide to the Supernatural goes in search of the unearthly with unexpected results; combining history, science, psychology and myth he explores the allure of the paranormal - why so many people still believe in ghosts and angels - as well as the many ways people have tried to contact and record the impossible.
