Encyclopedia of American Religions (6th ed) [Hardcover]

J. Gordon Melton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0810384175 | ISBN-13: 978-0810384170 | Publication Date: November 1998 | Edition: 6th

Representing many years of research, this impressive three-volume reference series explores the broad sweep of North American religions--19 families encompassing some 1,500 different religious bodies. Each volume features in-depth essays on the historical development of specific religions, descriptions of each group's membership, cross-references and other important data.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1243 pages
• Publisher: Gale Group; 6th edition (November 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810384175
• ISBN-13: 978-0810384170
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #969,086 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).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential reference for scholars of religion, December 15, 2000

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia of American Religions (6th ed) (Hardcover)

J. Gordon Melton's "Encyclopedia of American Religions" is a reference work to which I turn, year after year, in my work as both a scholar and journalist. And I eagerly look forward to each new edition (I viewed the 6th edition as I prepared this review).

This mammoth work contains both a series of essays on major religious traditions and a series of profiles of individual denominations, fellowships, and missions. The profiles on individual religious bodies number well over 2,300 in the 6th edition. Mailing addresses and bibliographic references (when available) for each individual body further add to the book's usefulness.

Melton covers everything from the largest mainstream denominations to the smallest and most esoteric bodies. His broad editorial vision takes in nearly every conceivable religious tradition: Christianity in all its permutations (Anglican, Lutheran, Pentecostal, etc.), Judaism, Hinduism and other Eastern traditions, Neo-Pagan groups, "flying saucer"-related fellowships, Atheist and Humanist associations, and more. Each entry is written in an objective manner.

The latest edition of this book should be in every library in Canada and the United States. Furthermore, serious journalists and scholars of religion will find this to be a useful and fascinating edition to their own private libraries.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must for any library -, September 7, 2000

By 

Holy Olio "holy_olio" (Grand Rapids, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encyclopedia of American Religions (6th ed) (Hardcover)

While I don't own it (yet) I've been impressed with it since first learning of it. While this is not a work on which most households would spend hundreds of dollars, there really is no substitute for Melton's masterpiece. Even defunct and/or oddball sects are included, such as Kennedy worshippers, the House of David, and schismatic versions of many faiths. The organization of this work is by theological classification (Holiness movement or Black Muslim for two examples), but the index is comprehensive.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye Opening, May 15, 2000

By 

Jim Kerr (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia of American Religions (6th ed) (Hardcover)

I found this to be eye opening. I have had a hard time finding a book that could teach me about the different religions/denominations. This one was very comprehensive. I highly recommend it.