Religions of the World - Shinto(Religions of the World) [Hardcover]

Stuart A. Kallen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 14, 2001 | Age Level: 10 and up

Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan and one of the oldest spiritual practices in the world. Shinto explores the beliefs, customs, and historical roots of the religion in order to provide an overview of the faith as it is practiced today. (20020801)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-On the plus side, these books are informative and well organized. The writing is clear and the "Works Consulted" lists include a healthy helping of Web sites. Shinto offers information on the roots of the religion, its beliefs, ceremonies, and its role in the modern world. Confucianism considers the life and work of Confucius and devotes several chapters to the history of the religion; other chapters examine its role in 20th-century China and its relevance today. The books, while generously illustrated, contain a number of photos and reproductions that are either faded, dark, or do not offer enough contrast. The "World Religions" series (Facts On File) is more engaging with better layouts and higher print quality. However, both Shinto and Confucianism are accessible and can be used to supplement other resources such as Mircea Eliade's Encyclopedia of Religion (Macmillan, 1993) and The Encyclopedic Dictionary of Religion (Corpus, 1979; o.p.).
Herman Sutter, Saint Agnes Academy, Houston, TX
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Interest in world religions has been heightened in light of recent tragic events. Each volume covers the origins of the faith, the teachings of its major prophet, the development of that religion in its home country, its spread, and today's practice of that faith. Forms of worship, holy places, sacred texts, the relationship of art and religion, and common themes among religions are some of the topics in these up-to-date texts. The volume on Islam discusses events of September 11, how Islam and terrorism became synonymous on that date and how that association may be clarified. The series gives a history of each religion and the way that religion shaped the culture from which it came...These are excellent sources for social studies and history classes that compare culture and religion. Recommended."
-- Book Report (September 2002) (Book Report 20020701)

"Students wanting to know more about Islam, the religion so much in the news, will find a solid introduction in this entry in the Religions of the World series. Notes, a glossary, a further reading list, and bibliography are appended."
-- Booklist (August 2002) (Booklist 20020701)

"Notable is the fluid working into the main text of numerous quotations...The notes, index, and list for further reading are extensive, and the black-and-white photographs complement the text."
-- School Library Journal (July 2002) (School Library Journal 20020901)

"(It) has more narrative and explication, giving it more heft and greater informational value. (The) book is much more complete and thoughtful than many of the comparable titles currently available to students."
-- School Library Journal (July 2002) (School Library Journal 20020601)

"Interest in world religions has been heightened in light of recent tragic events. Each volume covers the origins of the faith, the teachings of its major prophet, the development of that religion in its home country, its spread, and today's practice of that faith."
-- Book Report (September 2002) (Book Report )

"On the plus side, these books are informative and well organized. The writing is clear and the Works Consulted lists include a healthy helping of Web sites...The books, while generously illustrated, contain a number of photos and reproductions that are either faded, dark, or do not offer enough contrast. The World Religions series (Facts On File) is more engaging with better layouts and higher print quality. However, both Shinto and Confucianism are accessible and can be used to supplement other resources..."
--School Library Journal (June 2002) (School Library Journal )

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Lucent Books; 1 edition (December 14, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560069880
• ISBN-13: 978-1560069881
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,982,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Compressive Introduction, April 12, 2004

By 

Caro Kronlachner (Toronto, Canada.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Religions of the World - Shinto(Religions of the World) (Hardcover)

Clear, well organized and an easy read, this book is an excellent introduction to Japan's native religion. Sections are a well organized range starting form the history of Shinto, to its mythological roots, and its rituals to its place in the last century. Despite this berth of subject matter the book occasionally feels as if the author is hiding behind his works cited rather than forming original conclusions. Though disappointing at first this is understandable if we read the author's short biography on the final pages. Kallen having written more than 150 works for young readers is obviously an expert in writing youth oriented non-fiction, NOT an expert in Shinto. This fact worried me slightly, because one does not known how far to trust the particulars of the work. However for projects and quick and concise reference, particularly for a basic grounding in the concepts of Shinto it is an excellent reference. This book has no pretensions of being academia's bench mark reference for Shinto, but it is an excellent start for those of us who don't have a degree in East Asian Studies. A must have for any school library.