Accidental Gods

Name: Accidental Gods
Brand: Allen & Unwin
SKU: 9781783785025
Price: 27.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

On Race, Empire and Men Unwittingly Turned Divine

By Anna Della Subin

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3.56

( 274 ratings, 59 reviews)

Summary

Accidental Gods by Anna Della Subin explores how ordinary individuals are sometimes revered as deities, tracing examples from ancient to modern times. The book delves into the dynamics of power, cultural influence, and historical significance behind these curious incidents, offering a blend of cultural analysis and historical narrative. It sheds light on the reasons why societies might deify humans, revealing the complexities of belief systems and authority.
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Format: Paperback / softback

$27⁹⁹

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Accidental Gods

$27⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by how historical figures have been transformed into deities and worshipped as gods across different cultures. It offers a compelling exploration of the intersection between history and myth, revealing the surprising ways in which mortals become divine. If you're fascinated by tales of human figures elevating to divine status and have an interest in history's curious tales, this book may captivate your imagination.

Accidental Gods

A provocative history of race, empire and myth, told through the stories of men who have been worshipped as gods - from Columbus to Prince Philip.

A provocative history of race, empire and myth, told through the stories of men who have been worshipped as gods - from Columbus to Prince Philip

Description

Spanning the globe and five centuries, Accidental Gods introduces us to a new pantheon: of man-gods, deified politicians and imperialists, militants, mystics, and explorers. From the conquistadors setting foot in the New World to Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, elevated by a National Geographic article from emperor to messiah for the Rastafari faith, to the unlikely officers hailed as gods during the British Raj, this endlessly curious and revelatory account chronicles an impulse towards deification that persists even in a secular age, as a show of defiance or assertion of power.

In her bravura final part, Subin traces the colonial desire for divinity through to the creation of 'race' and the white power movement today, and argues that it is time we rid ourselves of the white gods among us.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Anna Della Subin’s Accidental Gods is praised for its vibrant and astonishing exploration of how divinity and terror intertwine across historical and modern contexts. The book is noted for its rich, witty, and thought-provoking narrative, offering fresh insights into the blurred lines between human and divine, colonialism and nationalism. Subin’s analysis is lauded for its originality and engaging style, providing both an entertaining and sobering read on the topics of power, imperialism, and mythopolitics.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781783785025

Publisher: Granta Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 January 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Granta Books

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 333g

Pages: 488

Collections

Anna Della Subin History & Military Non-Fiction Religion & Spirituality

About the Author

Anna Della Subin is a writer, critic and independent scholar born in New York and now living in Dublin. Her essays have appeared in Harper's, the LRB, New York Times and New Yorker. A senior editor at Bidoun, she studied the history of religion at Harvard Divinity School. Accidental Gods is her first book.