Religious Freedom in the World: A Global Report on Freedom and Persecution

Rating:
Summary: Very incomplete book
Review: I do not rate this book highly because it is incomplete and lacking in objectivity. For example, it does not have any information on the status of religious freedom in such countries as Canada and Australia. When discussing freedom in the USA, the author does not mention major ocurrances of religious hatred and discrimination such as the suppression of Native American spirituality, mob murder of Mormons in the early years of the LDS church, anti-Catholic riots of the 19th century, and present-day lynching, firebombing and threats which victimize Wiccans and other Neopagans.

I would suggest a rewrite that would include more countries, and would treat all countries with greater objectivity.

Rating:
Summary: Best handy reference on global religious persecution
Review: Though this book covers only roughly 80 countries and 90% of the world's population, it is an excellent reference guide for understanding religious persecution for everyone from beginners to academics. The ranking system is critical in being able to compare drastically different countries in respect to their attitudes toward religious freedom. I hope the second edition includes more countries and more essays as those included are very insightful and many of the points raised have become reality in the recent year.