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Review
"This book is instantly accessible in its approach without being in any way condescending or an oversimplification. Each of the chapters tackles a crucial issue or web of interconnected issues, none of them straightforward and yet all conveyed with an elegance of simplicity that belies their inherent complexity."--Julia Leslie, School of Oriental and African Studies, London
"Strongly recommended both for its exemplification of the finest contemporary thinking in this area and its attention to central matters and issues."--Peter Doble, Theological Book Review
"A very accessible overview. The rich diversity within Hinduism is celebrated and the difficult questions are not avoided."--Inter-Faith Issues
"Accessible and enjoyable."--Arti Kacchia, ISKON Communications Journal
"Very readable and certainly the most helpful, with a new and original perspective conveyed in a succinct introductory style."--Ursula King, University of Bristol
"My students thoroughl
Product Description
Hinduism is practised by eighty per cent of India's population, and by thirty million people outside India. In this Very Short Introduction, Kim Knott combines a succinct and authoritative overview of a major religion with an analysis of the challenges facing it in the twentieth century. She discusses key preoccupations of Hinduism such as the centrality of the Veda as religious texts, the role of brahmins, gurus, and storytellers in the transmission of divine truths, and the importance of epics such as the Ramayana. Issues such as the place of women and dalits (untouchables) in contemporary society are also addressed, making this book stimulating reading for Hindus and non-Hindus alike.
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First Sentence
If you go into a library or bookshop with the intention of finding out about Hinduism, to which section do you go? Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
If you go into a library or bookshop with the intention of finding out about Hinduism, to which section do you go? Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've picked this book up and put it down so many times. It takes ages to get going and once it does get going it gives you no idea about the hierarchy of ideas in terms of importance, and it doesn't spell out what the main ideas are simply enough. It goes right for the small detail without painting the bigger picture, so you can't see how it all fits together. Reading this guide is like being lost in a maze - without a guide. I'm looking for another introduction to the subject.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is by far the weakest book in the series on religions they produce, (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Koran, Bible, Buddhism and Sikhism). It is complicated and a lot of it is irrelevant.
The book offers a lot of knowledge on the spread of Hinduism and events that took place during the Modern and Post-Modern period e.g. colonialism, modernity and Hinduism outside India. There is very little on the theological and philosophical writings on the faith. I am comparing this to the other books I have read, as mentioned above.
Poor, overall.
The book offers a lot of knowledge on the spread of Hinduism and events that took place during the Modern and Post-Modern period e.g. colonialism, modernity and Hinduism outside India. There is very little on the theological and philosophical writings on the faith. I am comparing this to the other books I have read, as mentioned above.
Poor, overall.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This little book provides the reader with both background and indepth information on the vast group of practices and beliefs tied together under the banner of Hinduism. Written for those with no prior knowledge but also offering analysis in some detail on topics such as the position of women and Dalits or 'untouchables', and the Hindu religion in the diaspora, it should be entertaining and informative for a wide variety of people.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A good book on a difficult subject
Firstly, before buying books on Hinduism you must consider the depth of the subject. This is a religion with so many gods, it's impossible to memorise them. Read more
Published 13 months ago by PunjabiPrincess
Hinduism
A good useful book but in tiny type font and that is the worst part of it. Keeping a book small can be a good idea but keeping the older readers in mind can be another brilliant... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Raza Ali
A Fair introduction
If like me you are looking for a high level introduction to Hinduism then this is fair - but only just that. Read more
Published on 1 Jan 2010 by Notoneforme
Useful
I give thanks for the day someone thought up the idea for this wonderful series of books. In beginning to study or understand a subject it is often hard to know where to start and... Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2007 by Mrs. K. A. Wheatley
A perfect introduction to Hinduism
Hinduism has a special place among the world's major religions, being of great antiquity and being, until recent times, an ethnic or racial religion, like Judaism, Sikhism or... Read more
Published on 11 Nov 2005 by Peter Reeve
Pretty disappointing
I bought this book to learn about Hinduism, the religion itself is covered quite well but as, for example, special holidays, particular God,Goddesses worshipped were not talked... Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2005
Fairly good introduction, with a slight bias
The book gives a fairly good introduction to religious and social aspects of Hinduism. However, there are two points worth noting:
- The order of discourse seems unnecessarily... Read more
Published on 8 Dec 2004 by Martin
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