# Suggest books regarding the battle for heaven and hell **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 14, 2004, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655 "2004-11-14T03:21:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Osip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4491bb/32.png) [@Osip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Osip)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/1 "2004-11-14T03:21:45Z")
I am looking for books that deal particularly with Satan and his minions cast out of heaven. I of course, know of references in the bible and Paradise lost is a given as well. Any other book suggestions I should look into? thank you in advance, Osip ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/2 "2004-11-14T03:30:11Z")
I have NOT read it, but have heard from people whom I respect, that Elaine Pagels’ [The Origin of Satan](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0679731180/qid=1100403437/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/102-6198406-8707368?v=glance&s=books) is a super book on the subject. Of course, YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/3 "2004-11-14T03:38:37Z")
_To Reign in Hell_ by **Steven Brust** is a fantastic take on the battle for Heaven. It’s easily my favorite of the genre ---
**Author:** ![Malodorous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47774/32.png) [@Malodorous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malodorous)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/4 "2004-11-14T03:45:23Z")
Are you looking for stuff describes religious cannon on the subject, or just interesting takes on the story. If the latter, the young adult series _His Dark Material’s_ is a pretty original take on the battle between God and Fallen Angels. Gods a tyrant, and a group of humans and other mortal creatures join with the fallen to try and oust him. Its pretty edgy for a series thats supposedly written for children. ---
**Author:** ![pasunejen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@pasunejen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pasunejen)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/5 "2004-11-14T03:51:22Z")
Well, if on the off chance you’re looking for a bit of comedy… I’ve always enjoyed _Good Omens_, by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. One of the main characters is a quite entertaining minion of Satan’s. But it seems you may be looking for something more serious. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/6 "2004-11-14T04:03:29Z")
**Humans** by Donald Westlake is funny, and the tables are turned. God is ready to give up on humanity kablooey, but Satan wants Him to stay in the game. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/7 "2004-11-14T05:18:41Z")
> [@Osip](#): > > I am looking for books that deal particularly with Satan and his minions cast out of heaven. > > I of course, know of references in the bible and Paradise lost is a given as well. > Any other book suggestions I should look into? > > thank you in advance, > > Osip What’s rather wierd is that I’ve been looking for somewhat the same thing for the past few weeks. Thanks for posting this. ---
**Author:** ![ReadMore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ccd318/32.png) [@ReadMore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReadMore)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/8 "2004-11-14T06:50:29Z")
On a kinda-related note, I liked E.E.Y. Hales’ **Chariot of Fire** , wherein Antony and Cleopatra, among others, plot to take over all rings of hell… ---
**Author:** ![Harmonix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/9 "2004-11-14T08:13:24Z")
well, maybe not your typical story of the devil book, but… Memnoch the devil by Anne Rice. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/10 "2004-11-14T09:51:35Z")
Definitely His Dark Materials: deliberately invokes Milton {this is War In Heaven, Round Two}, with quite a bit of William Blake thrown into the mix. Don’t be put off by the idea that the trilogy are “kids” books: even the most erudite of teenagers would be hard put to keep up, and you really do need to be an adult to keep up with all the references - Pullman doesn’t pull any punches, and by God he can write. Harry Potter it ain’t. ---
**Author:** ![Aagramn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Aagramn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aagramn)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/11 "2004-11-14T13:03:30Z")
Another recommendation for _His Dark Materials_ here. Be warned though, Pullman really rips into the church, if you find that offensive you aren’t going to enjoy them. ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/12 "2004-11-14T13:11:56Z")
“For Love of Evil” is one of Piers Anthony’s best books. For whatever that’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![Osip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4491bb/32.png) [@Osip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Osip)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/13 "2004-11-14T15:49:24Z")
> [@Malodorous](#): > > Are you looking for stuff describes religious cannon on the subject, or just interesting takes on the story. A bit of both actually, I originally ran across this curiosity reading of all things “the Club Dumas” by Arturo Perez Reverte. Much of this book does not deal with the devil or the war between heaven and hell. Thru out this book There is a character that makes brief mention (from a devils point of view) and as much of his storyline and characters conversation can be referanced back to earlier books (such as" Le Diable Amoureux" by Jacques Cazotte) A quote Paraphrased are “I fought with an angle for 100 days and 100 nights, I lost, but I did learn a few tricks from that encounter.” So, having an idea whee to look forward to religious cannon on the subject is I feel a good place to start, finding more modern takes also help understand views and ideas of others diluted from the church cannon. So, to make this short… Yes, I am interested in both. thanks to everyone so far for contributing. Osip ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/14 "2004-11-14T17:27:33Z")
Tangentially related: [Waiting for the Galactic Bus](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385246358/qid=1100453258/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/103-1691029-6410236?v=glance&s=books) and [The Snake Oil Wars](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385247729/qid=1100453222/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-1691029-6410236?v=glance&s=books) by Parke Godwin. Aliens set up heaven and hell on earth in a savage satire on religion. [Prophets for the End of Time](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0671577751/qid=1100453381/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/103-1691029-6410236?v=glance&s=books) by Marcos Donnelly. “The Heavenly Hosts, having decided the time has come for the Apocalypse, name two unlikely humans who will enable the fulfillment of ancient prophecies.” Equally satiric and well-written. ---
**Author:** ![Grimpen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/82dd89/32.png) [@Grimpen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grimpen)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2004, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/15 "2004-11-14T20:17:29Z")
> [@Malodorous](#): > > … the young adult series _His Dark Material’s_ is a pretty original take on the battle between God and Fallen Angels. Not that original, actually. Much of Pullman’s plot in book 3 is cribbed from 3rd-5th century gnostic and Marcionite fantasies. (Disclosure: I liked the first book very much, and found it quite imaginative. The second was okay. The third seemed terribly derivative, and shallow. Obviously other people’s mileage varies.) ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/16 "2004-11-15T01:50:43Z")
Slight hijack: I hated (make that hated hated hated) Pullman’s pretentious “Dark Materials” books. There, I’ve said it. And I still consider myself an intelligent, well-read person. On the topic at hand, don’t think I have anything to recommend, though Mark Twain and C.S. Lewis (his Screwtape stuff) both wrote in interesting ways about the devil. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/17 "2004-11-15T02:44:21Z")
The absolute best work in this genre is not a novel, but Ray Russell’s short short story, “I am Returning.” It explains heaven & hell, and all human accomplishment in a mere 1500 words. I continue to be astonished by its brilliance every time I reread it. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/18 "2004-11-15T02:50:02Z")
Heinlein’s _Job_ has Satan as a major character. He seems like a pretty nice guy… ---
**Author:** ![Cerri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@Cerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerri)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/19 "2004-11-15T06:42:42Z")
> [@pasunejen](#): > > Well, if on the off chance you’re looking for a bit of comedy… > > I’ve always enjoyed _Good Omens_, by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. > > One of the main characters is a quite entertaining minion of Satan’s. > > But it seems you may be looking for something more serious. Hehe, I came into this thread specifically to mention that one. 😉 > [@Exapno Mapcase](#): > > Tangentially related: > > Waiting for the Galactic Bus and The Snake Oil Wars by Parke Godwin. Aliens set up heaven and hell on earth in a savage satire on religion. Likewise, most excellent satires about our humble beginnings and the eternal struggle between good and evil of religion. Such as it were. I have both these books, and I re-read em all the time. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655/20 "2004-11-15T08:50:55Z")
Not strictly about the battle for heaven and hell, but The Master And Margarita, by Mikhail Bulgakov, gives a very interesting take on Satan: it also inspired Sympathy For The Devil, by the Rolling Stones. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-books-regarding-the-battle-for-heaven-and-hell/274655.md?page=2)