Product Description

Based on Smith's 1264 page reference book, Who's Who In Hell, this trade paperback edition provides short biographical sketches of entertainers who each have a belief system that runs against the grain.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #564954 in Books
• Published on: 2002-04-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

From Publishers Weekly
B‚la Bartok and Sally Jessy Raphael are among the damned in Warren Allen Smith's Celebrities in Hell, the follow-up to his Who's Who in Hell. Like the earlier volume, this book catalogues and celebrates atheists, humanists and other kinds of heretics, this time focusing on an idiosyncratic group from the last two centuries, from Douglas Adams, Richard Avedon and Debbie Harry to Mira Sorvino, Sir P.G. Wodehouse and Frank Zappa. In brief encyclopedia-style entries, Smith describes the worldview of each unbelieving artist or writer or showbiz type, and provides a thumbnail bio.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Drawn from the author's Who's Who in Hell, this edition focuses on celebrities artists, musicians, authors, actors, and those in the entertainment world whose beliefs are a bit out of the mainstream, embracing atheism, humanism, and skepticism of all sorts with a unifying antireligion theme. Each entry describes both the individual and what he or she has written or produced that could most aptly be categorized as freethinking. Though some entries are quite detailed, others are brief and seem a bit questionable. For example, there is a slight entry on Bo Derek, whose only claim to being a freethinker is that she once told Larry King that she is not in the least spiritual. She may in fact be due a spot here, but the entry isn't convincing. All the same, this is a fascinating reference work for a few reasons. First, it provides an intriguing compendium of people who might never be linked otherwise. Second, it provides a basis for comparison and a touchstone for skeptics everywhere who now have proof that they are not alone. An excellent starting point for research into any of the individuals included, this is recommended for large public and academic libraries. Manya Chylinski, Ctr. for Business Knowledge, Ernst & Young, Boston
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

From a different perspective...
I found this book to be interesting even though I disagree with every worldview expressed in the book. I checked it out because I was curious to see more about how some famous celebrities see themselves, their purpose, and their place in this world. Its very reflective of our post-modernist culture, and the quotes from the book are a very diverse cross-section of atheistic, humanistic, and universalist views.

Amusing Reading-- Worth a Look
Allen has done a great job of seeking out quotes from celebrities showing their alignment with rationalism, and it's a refreshing visit with people we may not have thought of as free-thinkers. If you are a religious abstainer, you'll be encouraged by the number of others who share your views. And if you're a fundamentalist, you'll be pleased to identify a group you know will, for all eternity, be cast into a lake of fire for their base apostasy, heresy, blashemy, and infidelity.

A satisfying read either way.

A WORTHY EDITION TO ANY FREETHOUGHT LIBRARY
This paperback book is sort of a condensed version of Warren Smith's huge tome, Who's Who in Hell. with a focus on celebrities such as Woody Allen, Katherine Hepburn, Andy Rooney, George Clooney and many, many others. The style is quite witty and there is lots of dish on the "damned" famous people. You can open to any page and have a good time, especially if you are a freethinker! Religious fundamentalists will probably want to avoid this book, unless they want to learn about famous people who they believe are destined for the infernal regions.

Like they say, heaven for the climate, hell for the company!