Biographical Dictionary of American Cult and Sect Leaders (Garland Reference Library of Social Science, Vol. 212) [Hardcover]

J. Gordon Melton (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Melton provides sketches of 297 individuals, mainly from the 19th and 20th centuries, who held leadership roles in non-mainstream religious movements in the United States. All subjects are deceased: one will find Jim Jones, but not Sun Myung Moon or the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Typical entries are about one-and-a-half pages long; cover the subjects' careers, spiritual beliefs, and lasting influences nonjudgementally; and include bibliographies. Melton, director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion, has documented such religious movements throughout his career. A useful compilation of hard-to-find information. Richard S. Watts, San Bernardino Cty. Lib., Calif.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 366 pages
• Publisher: Garland Publishing; 1 edition (March 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824090373
• ISBN-13: 978-0824090371
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,420,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

J. Gordon Melton is the Distinguished Professor of American Religious History at the Institute for Studies of Religion, Baylor University, and the Director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion also based in Waco, Texas.

He is the author of more than 35 books, the great majority reference works or scholarly texts in American religious history, including the "Encyclopedia of American Religions" (eighth edition, 2009), and most recently "Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances and Spiritual Commemorations" (2011). He has also written several reference books in Dracula and vampire studies including the award winning "The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead" (third edition 2010).