Alice K. Turner (1939–2015)

"I read Playboy for the articles" is as tired as a joke can get, but don't be lulled by the cliche. Playboy published some pretty serious science-fiction, by grandmasters like Bradbury, Le Guin, Vonnegutt, Niven, Ballard, and Philip K. Dick. This is as serious as a 20th century scifi anthology gets, with strong stories from classic authors. The themes are bent towards the New Wave, psychological science fiction about minds and bodies and alienation, and yes, just a little sex, but not an show more overwhelming amount. I'd say my favorite of the collection was "Gianni" by Robert Silverberg, about a classical composer brought forward into the 21st century, but it's not an easy choice. show less

It's interesting. I was actually a little surprised at how engrossing this book was. I loved the way the author traced Hell from the polytheistic influence on the Christian perception, through the various theological and political influences until we arrived at our most modern interpretation. I particularly enjoyed some of the religious theories she cited and how they altered theology in various ways. Some of the facts she included were a fascinating surprise -- the book as a whole was just show more a delightful journey of discovery.

I have to admit, I also liked it because I could never pin the author's theological beliefs down. There were points when I thought she was Catholic, other times when I'd decided she must be atheist, and once or twice when I was convinced she was some fringe religion like Mormonism. I really appreciated this ambiguity, because it never felt as though she was coming at the topic from a biased direction. show less

This is not a new book; I dug it from my shelves just to write this review. It's not a scholarly-looking book; the oversize cover, glossy pages, and color pictures on every other page make it look more like a children's book than a theological treatise. It's not the work of a notable scholar; Ms. Turner is better known for her fiction and as an editor for Playboy. So what is this review doing on my blog today?

Against all odds, this is an important book about an important topic. Is it Alice's show more fault that she manages to turn it into a fun read as well?

The History of Hell begins at the beginning, with the earliest religious beliefs of an underworld. You'll explore the Egyptian Book of the Dead and Zoroastrianism. You'll move forward in time to the Greek understanding of Hades, the Platonic description of Hell, and the Hebrew teachings of Sheol. As these ideas merge into one, you begin to see glimpses of today's Christian version of Hell emerging.

In time, Purgatory arrives. Christian ideas continue to evolve through the centuries, giving birth to artwork and stories like Dante's Inferno, as imaginations let loose. Satan, once destined to chains in a dark netherworld transforms before your eyes into an evil taskmaster. Now, trident in hand, he gleefully tortures lost souls in a lake of fire forever and ever, amen.

You continue to travel through the Middle Ages, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, through the 19th century, and on into today's time, as Hell continues to evolve. Why is this journey important? Why put yourself through Hell? Because, as Christians, it's vitally important to our spiritual well-being to understand that we have made our own version of Hell. Ideas have evolved from the beginning of religion, and understanding this, knowing the "history of Hell," can set you free from the undertow of today's spiritually-damaging teachings.

And if you're going to take this frightful journey, you may as well make it an entertaining one. Pick up Alice's book. show less

I was disappointed but that is entirely my own fault - this is only an overview of how Hell picked up all its characteristics, since the Bible has surprisingly little to say about it. Much of what we think of as biblical is a weird mishmash of ancient religions, folk tales and literature - . It was certainly interesting but nothing was developed very much, so I intend to treat the book as a jumping off point for further research into the areas that interest me - less Swedenborg and more show more Zoroastrianism and medievalism. The prose is readable, the tone jaunty without being inappropriate and for the mildly interested, a great book. If you are interested in how Hell gained such a grasp on the Western imagination and, especially, some forms of American evangelicalism,then perhaps not. show less