World Religions Reference Library Cumulative Index

Library Journal

This set on world religions is composed of five volumes: a two-volume almanac, a two-volume biographical encyclopedia, a volume of primary sources, and a separately published cumulative index. There are a generous number of black-and-white photos, informational sidebars, bibliographies, a glossary, and a time line. The almanac's 18 chapters are devoted to major religions of the past and present but also include an introductory "What Is Religion?" chapter as well as a chapter on atheism and agnosticism. Indigenous religions of the world are treated together in one chapter. The almanac entries average 25 pages in length and cover history, practices, and worldviews. The biographical volumes contain 50 entries on world religious figures, from ancient to contemporary. The Primary Sourcesvolume, which provides excerpts from speeches, writings, and sacred texts, is divided into three sections: "Creation Stories and Foundation Myths," "Characteristics of the Divine," and "Religion as a Guide to Living." Historical and philosophical context is provided for each entry, as are discussion points, a glossary, and a bibliography.
—Nadine Cohen-Baker