THE DEVIL

As if in answer to Jack Miles's superb, Pulitzer-winning God: A Biography comes this fascinating volume. Whereas Miles examined God as portrayed in the Hebrew Bible, Stanford traces the development of the Father of Lies through pagan and canonical sources. Howard gives an intelligent, rhythmic, slightly effete rendering, which emphasizes the author's eloquence, as well as his judgment and erudition. One suspects that a lighter touch and a soupçon of humor would have yielded a closer match to the author's intent; even so, this is a stimulating text lucidly read. Y.R. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: MAR/APR 98]