Angels: A Very Short Introduction

This is a very nice survey of the available material on angels. The manner of exposition is historical/empirical. The author begins at the beginning with Abraham's entertaining individuals who turn out to be angels. He then discusses in detail the manner in which angels are important figures in Christianity, Judaism and Islam. He provides chapters and verses for his accounts so that his work can be checked. He also includes brief but appropriately-detailed bibliographies covering each of the book's 8 chapters and a subsidiary bibliography for "Further Reading."This is a superb introduction to a subject that nearly all consider interesting and that many consider important. In addition to examining sacred texts, commentaries, philosophic explorations, literature and art, he looks at popular culture. A few examples: the lovely film, WINGS OF DESIRE, the classic holiday film, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE and even such 'popular' items as Abba's song, "I Believe in Angels."He does not attempt to explore the actual existence of angels at great length and he does not attempt to persuade or dissuade believers, agnostics or atheists concerning their pre-existing views.He explores such 'curious' issues as the actual number of angels, their association with both birth and death, their guardianship of humans, their capability of dancing on the heads of pins, the ability of fallen angels to effect demonic possession, their origin and form (and hence, their need for food or their capacity for sexual activity). Milton, of course, looks at such questions in PARADISE LOST and these passages are among the most interesting and charming passages in his epic poem.This is a book written for all: historians of religion, thought, art, theology, philosophy and popular culture.I love this very useful series and highly recommend this particular volume.

I got this book when I was on a Very Short Introduction buying binge. It is the very last book that I've read so far because I thought the topic sounded a bit corny. When I think of angels, I think of weird dolls or christmas ornaments, not scholarly material. The author keeps it interesting from the get go. He also provides ample citations of scripture, a major plus given the small size of this book.Within the spectrum of Very Short Introductions, I'd give this book perhaps an A- simply because the bar set by my favorites is so high. I feel like the reading level can be a bit simple a times (something like high school vs college complexity), but the upshot of this is a very approachable tone to the book and a lively pace.Also, the book assumes basic knowledge of Christian/Jewish scripture, so reading the Old/New Testament VSI's is advisable.I'm only about halfway through so far, but look forward to completing it.

I've studied a bit of theology but I never felt like I understood Angels very well. After reading this Short Introduction I have a much better sense of what Angels are and a much better appreciation for what they are as well.The book has more erudite information than one would expect from a book of its size (123 pages of text) and it's also an especially well grounded book. David Albert Jones continues to hark back to our fundamental conception of what Angels are as he covers all sorts of aspects of Angels such as their pictorial history and their role as divine messengers."Angels" has an extremely attractive cover which is a very fine thing for those of us who like to have some style to go along with substance.

I found the book to be engaging with its light tone, well written in that it was clear and well organized, and it was an informative and fun read.

This book has a lot of well researched and interesting information in it. I'm enjoying it so far and like the details. I would highly recommend this book.

Interesting and great addition to research library.

One Opinion that can not be factually proven. Faith based answer to unexplained phenomenon.

A little too "holy" if you know what I mean.

While there is much interesting information in this book, I was sorry that it only covered Christianity, Judaism and Islam. I had hoped it would cover a bit more of the ancient world. I also found that, unlike most of the other books in this excellent series from OUP, it was frequently digressive and explored only the author’s line of explanation. Interesting and well written, but not quite what I had hoped for

This is a very good introduction to the history of angels as they are viewed in the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths. A good place to start for anyone interested in angelology.

Usual 'very short introductions quality. I learned a lot about what proved to be a very interesting and facinating subect.

i love it

As a lay-preacher and life-long Bible reader I had some knowledge about the Biblical stories involving angels, but I wanted to gain a wider perspective. Angels are recorded in many faiths and cultures as well as in a more Catholic Christian tradition than my own. I wanted a summary of the subject that wasn't biased to one doctrinal view, and one that would span the centuries; a book that would that would be neither defensive of nor aggressive towards the subject.I was not disappointed. David Jones starts with a historical survey that precedes Christianity and even Judaism. He deals very fairly with Jewish, Islamic and Christian belief and record. (Again I was interested to learn more about the Islamic teaching on angels.) He also covers more recent centuries and their shifts in belief. There is reference to New Age imagery and to the sometimes emotional and highly partisan views of our own time.For the small amount the book costs (I bought the Kindle edition) this really is an exceptionally good 'Short Introduction'. I recommended it to a friend who also had an interest. She downloaded it and praised it too.If you want a brief, unbiased, knowledgeable book about angels I cannot believe you would do better than this, at any price.