Myroslaw Tataryn
"Bulgakov masterfully intertwines the multistranded Christian tradition into not simply a tract on angels but, more importantly, a profound and beautiful rhapsody on divine love as manifested in both the angelic and the human realm. This is not a simple book about angels but, rather, a radiant and hope-filled symphony beginning with words of love — 'God-Love created human beings for love' — and culminating in joy: 'How great is the joy bestowed on humankind knowing this!' No small recognition is owed Thomas Allan Smith for working a difficult Russian text into a flowing and enjoyably readable English translation."
Boris Jakim
"Written by Bulgakov after a near-death encounter with an angelic being who led him back to life, Jacob's Ladder possesses a mystical intensity almost beyond words. Using doctrinal, scriptural, liturgical, iconographic, and personal experiential data, Bulgakov provides a theological interpretation of the doctrine of angels. Its lyrical beauty and its profound speculative reflections make this book very difficult to translate, but Thomas Allan Smith has more than met the challenge, offering English-speaking readers what is undoubtedly the greatest work of angelology in the modern Orthodox literature."
Reviews in Religion and Theology
"A fascinating, often compelling, and deeply important contribution to an area of overwhelming theological neglect."
Anglican Theological Review
"Written in a warm, spiritual tone. . . . Will be a solid point of reference for those interested in Orthodox studies and for readers in search of an imaginative approach to angelology."
Theology
"An extraordinary combination of personal, pastoral concern, particularly in his discussion of the role and purpose of guardian angels, a profound liturgical sense, and highly developed philosophical analysis. . . . Immensely engaging."