Eerdmans' Handbook to the World's Religions

Rating:
Summary: SUPERB SURVEY AND INVALUABLE REFERENCE BOOK
Review: I am enrolled in a masters program where this is an assigned text for an elective. After having been force-fed literally hundreds of readings from hundreds of books - this book stood out as the only text that I purchased. It is a fantastic, impartial, overview which includes great illustrations and charts. It is equally rewarding to read straight through, only the parts that interest you or as a handy reference.

Rating:
Summary: informative, but highly opinionated
Review: this book gives a basic overview of the worlds religions, but i found it a bit frustrating to read. in my opinion, anyone wishing to read the basic facts of each religion out of curiousity alone, will find that certian excerpts are highly opinionated. the section on buddhism, one part of it is titled, "the appeal of buddhism in the west", this is not problem, but do we need support why "people can live good lives only when given new life by jesus christ, otherwise they are powerless... and ...unable to escape the cycle of sin and death...." one other example is in response to a zen buddihist excerpt which the authors says, "this thinking is pushed to the absurd, it is useless to seek rational answers to them, the tension they produce must be borne to the utmost...." there are many other statments like these peppered throughout this book. on the other hand it does have some good information making it a useful introduction to the many religions. maybe the best thing would be a more appropiate title for the book, so that people who would like a nuetral yet informative approach will be better informed.

Rating:
Summary: A good textbook and/or information source.
Review: This is a very informative, "chunky" book. Excellent pictures and charts! A book worth having!