Glassé’s Concise Encyclopedia of Islam (Harper and Row) was first published in 1989, followed by a revised edition entitled the New Encyclopedia of Islam (AltaMira) that appeared in 2001. This third edition consists of more than 1,400 entries, including new entries of contemporary interest for Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (a paramilitary organization in Pakistan) and the Taliban. Both a scholar of Islam and a practicing Muslim, Glassé provides an accessible and sympathetic introduction for the general reader to aspects of religious belief, practice, and prayer in Islam; biographical information on theologians and political leaders; and much more. Entries are extensively cross-referenced, and the work concludes with a concise bibliography. Also included are color plates as well as maps of the Islamic world, a schematic representation of branches within Islam, and some genealogical tables. A chronology of important events in the history of Islam has been updated through 2007. Unfortunately, there is still no index. That an individual scholar produced a single-volume reference work of this scope and historical depth is impressive. A scholarly review of the first edition, however, not only praised it as an accessible introduction but also raised concerns about the accuracy and tendentious nature of many entries, especially those concerned with the Shi’a tradition within Islam and complex intellectual traditions such as Islamic philosophy and theology. Another single-volume introduction to Islam, written by a team of scholars and subjected to broader peer review, is the Oxford Dictionary of Islam (2003). Libraries with extensive collections on Islam may want to acquire this new edition. Libraries looking for basic information on Islam should add this new edition only with the understanding that in the case of some entries, the scholarly jury is still out. --Christopher McConnell
Review
Praise for previous editions: This grand, beautifully illustrated book is a feast of fact and insight about this ancient religion of 800 million believers. An enormous amount of information is contained here, all of it fascinating..... (
Washington Post )
Cyril Glassé has achieved a miracle, 1200 readable entries. He deals with Islam not merely as a religion but also as a culture. (
The Economist )
One can wonder whether in all the human sciences there is greater need for a reference work than for this one....It is more than just a new reference work on Islam that is up-to-date and has been kept within manageable compass; in the long run it can help its users to see the phenomenon of Islam in a new light. (Huston Smith )
A faithful guide: Islam unveiled. This invaluable
Encyclopedia of Islam....serves as an indispensible guide. (
Sunday Times )
Glasse provides an accessible and sympathetic introduction for the general reader....Entries are extensively cross-referenced....That an individual scholar produced a single-volume reference work of this scope and historical depth is impressive. (
Booklist )
Praise for previous editions: This grand, beautifully illustrated book is a feast of fact and insight about this ancient religion of 800 million believers. An enormous amount of information is contained here, all of it fascinating. (
Washington Post )
Glasse has extensively revised the 2001 edition of this valuable tool for the study of Islam....This work excels as one of the premier reference sources on Islam, with thorough, unbiased analysis....The extensive updates from the previous edition make this volume a worthwhile purchase for academic libraries' reference collection. Highly recommended. (
Choice )
Visually appealing and easy to consult.... Simple, clearly written, and accessible to readers with no prior knowledge of Islam. (Muhammed Hassanali
American Reference Books Annual Online )
