Review by Booklist Review
Gordon begins with an eight-page introduction to more than a millennium of Islamic history, starting with the prophet Muhammad and his basic teachings. The volume covers the beliefs, practices, important historical figures, and basic theologies of Sunni, Shi'a, and Sufi Muslims. Although the book's emphasis is on the past, a brief chapter on recent Islamic history glimpses at the modern Muslim world. Gordon emphasizes the diversity of Islam, but in a book so short, it simply isn't possible to examine any Islamic sect in any detail. Littleton delves into Japanese prehistory, seeking to isolate the roots of Shinto, which has long lived peacefully beside Buddhism in Japan. Buddhism and Shinto share sacred places and sacred persons in Japan, but whereas Buddhism emphasizes the nonworldly, Shinto, as Littleton portrays it, is a religion of the world. Lacking a clear vision of the afterlife, Shinto makes veneration of the innumerable kami, or deities, the center of the faith. Littleton glosses over sacred texts, ethics, festivals, and rituals as well. Although these slim, handsome titles are brief, boilerplate overviews, their attractive illustrations and solid introductory information make them worth considering for collections lacking introductions to these subjects. --John Green
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This is an outstanding introduction to the Japanese religion Shinto ("spirit way"), exploring its syncretistic affinities with Buddhism, its modern status as the state religion and its emphasis on harmony with nature. Littleton first offers a quick but comprehensive history of Shinto over the past 2,000 years, stressing its evolution into an imperial cult in the late 19th century. Short chapters follow on kami (deities), sacred texts and persons, ethical principles, concepts of the afterlife and other topics. Throughout, full-color photographs of shrines, rituals, talismans and artwork complement the text, which is replete with interesting facts (e.g., that sumo wrestling derives from an ancient Shinto ritual). Readers will come away with a deeper appreciation of both Shinto and of Japanese culture. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
These two introductory texts are similar both in format they are short, visually appealing, and have a small trim size and in arrangement, with chapters including "Origins and Historical Development," "Sacred Persons," "Ethical Principles," "Sacred Time," "Death and After Life," and "Society and Religion." Chapters conclude with a one-page excerpt and commentary from a sacred or historical book. Littleton (Eastern Wisdom) and Gordon (The Breaking of a Thousand Swords) provide clear and informative explanations about Shinto and Islam, respectively, as they develop and balance themes of religion, history, society, and modernity within their discussions. In discussing Shinto, a significant religion in Japan, Littleton focuses on deities and spirits, shrines, and the ways Buddhism and Christianity have influenced Shintoism. He frequently cites Ryusaku Tsunoda's Sources of Japanese Traditions (1958), along with more recent sources. The several themes Gordon develops in his introduction to Islam include Hadith, or stories regarding the life, teachings, and actions of Muhammad; and Sharia, or ways divine will is portrayed in Islamic sacred law, Hadith, and the Quran. Libraries may already be well stocked with introductions to Islam by such authors as Karen Armstrong and John Esposito, but these useful works are unique in providing an introduction to their respective religions without trying to explain too much. These books can either stand alone or supplement a larger collection. Appropriate for academic and public libraries, especially where there is interest and existing religion collections. Naomi Hafter, Baltimore (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
