Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) [Paperback]

Eleanor Nesbitt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 8, 2005 | Series: Very Short Introductions

The Sikh religion has a following of over 20 million people worldwide and is ranked as the world's fifth largest religion. However, events such as the verbal and physical attacks on Sikhs just after September 11 indicated that they were being mistaken for Muslims, and suggests that the raising of sufficient and appropriate awareness about Sikhism still needs to be addressed. This book is one of the first to introduce newcomers to Sikhism's meanings, beliefs, practices, rituals, and festivals. Eleanor Nesbitt highlights the key threads in the fascinating history, from the Gurus and the development of the Sikh appearance, to martyrdom and militarization in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the diaspora. She also examines the recent proliferation of Sikh lifestyles in today's news and entertainment media. This book is an essential guide to increasing understanding of the Sikh religion and culture.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`"This book on Sikhism is a little gem. Nesbitt writes beautifully and succinctly... There will be no excuse for not knowing something about Sikhism in the future."' Carrie Mercer, Shap World Religions in Education

About the Author

Eleanor Nesbitt is a specialist in ethnographic investigation of religio-cultural continuity and change in UK Hindu, Sikh, and ethnically diverse Christian communities. She lectures on Sikhism and is the author of 7 books, including: Interfaith Pilgrims (Quaker Books, London); The Religious Lives of Sikh Children: A Coventry Based Study (University of Leeds); (with Gopinder Kaur) Guru Nanak (Religious and Moral Education Press, Norwich); (with Robert Jackson) Hindu Children in Britain (Trentham, Stoke on Trent).

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (December 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192806017
• ISBN-13: 978-0192806017
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #752,744 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions > Sikhism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I had expected, May 3, 2007

By 

Dr. Bojan Tunguz (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) (Paperback)

My interest in Religion stems primarily from the desire to learn about faith and beliefs, and their metaphysical underpinnings. So when I pick up a book in order to learn about a religion that is different from my own, I have an expectation that the major part of that book will deal with the subject matter of those beliefs. Regrettably, that is not the case with this very short introduction. The Sikh beliefs are dealt with briefly and in a very superficial way. Most of the book deals with Sikhism as a social and ethnic category. Of course, those considerations should not be neglected either, but this was not why I decided to pick up and read this book. If, on the other hand, you are interested in those "demographic" aspects of Sikhism, this very short introduction will provide you with plenty of information. This, however, makes for a very boring read.