John R. Hinnells is Professor of Comparative Religion at London University and head of the Department for the Study of Religions at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

"This is a major expansion of the Penguin Dictionary of Religions, first published in 1984. Some 1400 articles offer cogent definitions often augmented by clear doctrinal or historical discussions. Two particularly useful features are the many cross references and the excellent bibliography, categorized by subject area, which runs to nearly 100 pages ......Recommended for both public and academic libraries." James F. DeRoche, Library Journal "The strength of the present work is its citation system, which leads readers to the precise topic they seek, even to page or chapter numbers. Recommended for general readers and for undergraduate and graduate students." Choice

• Introduction. Acknowledgements.The Dictionary A-Z.Maps.Bibliography.Synoptic Index.