From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up?This superb overview of 10 major faiths is divided into three sections: the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), the Vedic faiths (Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism), and the other major traditions (Shinto, Taoism, Sikhism, and Baha'i). The history, development, ways of worship, and celebrations are given for each. The material is particularly well arranged in a large, handsome format and lavishly illustrated with useful, full-color photographs, maps, charts, calendars, and drawings, all of which break up the text into readable blocks. Additional information is set apart in colored boxes to catch the eye and vary the presentation of the material. An excellent introduction, a foreword, and an afterword deal with a brief history of religion in general and comment on its probable future. The introduction also includes an outstanding chart that describes the traditions, holy places, and Scriptures of each major faith, all presented side by side for quick comparison. The writing is scholarly, lucid, and nonpartisan. There are a number of good books, many of which discuss a greater number of faiths, in this area, including Anita Ganeri's Religions Explained (Holt, 1997), Myrtle Langley's Religion (Knopf, 1996), Betsy Maestro's The Story of Religion (Clarion, 1996), William McElrath's Ways We Worship (Barron's, 1997), Lisa Sita's Worlds of Belief (Blackbirch, 1995), and Lynn Underwood's Religions of the World (Gareth Stevens, 1992; o.p.). However, none surpass Breuilly's work in thoroughness and clarity.?Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
