A to Z Guide Series – serie

With a history spanning more than two and a half millennia and over 300 million adherents worldwide, Buddhism is one of humankind's most interesting and populous religions. This book provides a comprehensive framework for understanding Buddhism as a historically compelling religion. Because the study of Buddhism is a difficult task, including so many varied cultures, this volume seeks to assist the reader by providing a carefully designed pronunciation guide to Buddhist canonical languages, an overview of the Buddhist scriptures preserved in Pali, Chinese, and Tibetan, a chronology of Buddhist history, a map of the Buddhist world, and an extensive introduction to the history, doctrine, and community life of the religion.

With a history of over three and a half millennia, and over 800 million adherents, Hinduism is one of the world's largest and most diverse religious traditions. This book presents the Hindu religious tradition's major events, individuals, texts, sects, and concepts in the context of its historical development through various periods. In addition, sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites, the rituals performed as religious practices, the manifestations of Hindu religious sensibilities in biography, art, the caste system of social organization, mythology, and the theories of salvation developed through the history of Hinduism are also presented. A pronunciation guide to Sanskrit and Tamil, and a chronology of the history of Hinduism are included.

With more than a billion faithful, Catholicism is the world's premier religion. It is yet more significant as its impact reaches around the world. However, like most religions, it is not always easy to fathom, not even for initiates.This book is a fine summary of the beliefs, rites, events, movements, memorable popes, saints, and other key persons in Catholic history. A lively introduction summarizes Church history from the time of Christ, through the various schismatic movements, to present- day Catholicism in the U.S. The A to Z entries also focus on theology and doctrine, providing balanced coverage of controversies. An excellent student resource, user-friendly, and the ideal starting place for research assignments.

This abridged paperpack version of The Historical Dictionary of Islam includes short biographies of theologians, philosophers, founders of Sunni and Shi'ite schools of jurisprudence, and individuals who influenced the interpretation of Islamic dogma, politics, and culture from early days to the present. The reader will find entries on major sects, philosophical trends, and the responses by Islamic movements to issues of 21st century politics, such as the inroads of Westernization in the Islamic world.A chronology lists important dates from the sixth to the end of the 20th century and an introductory chapter outlines the history of Islam and religion to modern days. A comprehensive bibliography will guide the serious student for further research.

Slavery's origins lie far back in the mists of prehistoric times and have spanned the globe-two facts that most history texts fail to address. The crucial moment of transition in the evolution of slavery was the point at which the successful warriors decided that they could exploit the labor of their prisoners, forcing them into a degraded underclass.This handy paperback version of the Historical Dictionary of Slavery and Abolition provides a historical overview of slavery though the ages, from prehistoric times to the modern day. It details slavery's different forms and the circumstances existing in numerous countries and regions. A complete treatment of this cruel institution, including a discussion of the causes and cures, as well as the plight of those who fought against it.

This newly revised and updated, paperback version of the Historical Dictionary of Terrorism contains a wealth of information regarding major terrorists groups, significant terrorist events and the weapons behind the terror. The authors provide a foundation for the understanding of what terrorism is, who practices it, and who is victimized by terrorist missions. It has been significantly abridged to suit a younger audience and provides numerous Internet sites for furthering research. Entries are more concise and easy to read and the bibliography has been streamlined to include easily accessible resources.New entries are devoted to:o Major terrorist groups,o Significant terrorist eventso Different forms of terrorismo Statutes, treaties and strategieso New weapons of mass destructiono Cyber-terrorism

The Korean War is often regarded as the "forgotten war," however, considering its historical significance it should be anything but. It was the first pitched battle between the communist forces and a coalition of the United Nations. While it was not the last such war in Asia, it did stem the tide in East Asia and permitted South Korea to prosper while North Korea decayed. This guide is prepared with the student and interested lay reader in mind. Its purpose is to provide an overview of the Korean War through:· a timeline of events· an introduction that explains the place, its history, and the phases, costs, and consequences of the war· dictionary entries that summarize the significance of the persons, places, organizations, military operations, battles, weaponry, and other elements of the war· a bibliography of accessible resources for further research

The Vietnam War is anything but a forgotten war. Even today, the strategies that led to an unexpected American defeat are hotly debated, and much remains controversial and unclear, which is not surprising given the nature of the combat in which the Vietnamese guerrilla warfare eventually won out over high-tech weaponry.The task of clarifying the issues without oversimplifying this complex war that impacted the world is undertaken by The A to Z of the Vietnam War: first in its chronology, then in its introduction, but mainly in a substantial dictionary section including hundreds of entries on significant persons (military and political), places, events, armed units, battles and lesser engagements, and weapons. And for those seeking further information, an extensive bibliography is included.

This highly praised book captures the essence and the madness of the "balance of terror" that was the Cold War. Describing an extensive period and much of the globe, The A to Z of the Cold War presents a year-by-year chronology, an introductory essay, and hundreds of entries on civilian and military leaders, central issues and peripheral conflicts, crucial countries and their allies or foes, the contending alliances and the non-aligned, deterrence and détente, the increasingly lethal weapons systems, and the various political and military strategies. While both authors are specialists in American foreign policy and diplomacy, Smith has a particular interest in United States relations with Latin America and Davis in Anglo-American relations. This broader focus is helpful, because it enables the authors to have a broader view of the Cold War, and having studied and lived in Great Britain, they view events from a more neutral perspective. This, and a conscious effort to maintain a scholarly balance, enhances the objectivity of this volume. Smith and Davis have produced an easy-to-use reference tool for both the history scholar and student.

Few periods have given civilization such a strong impulse as the Renaissance, which started in Italy and then spread to the rest of Europe. During its brief epoch, most vigorously from the fourteen to the sixteenth centuries, Europe reached back to Ancient Greece and Rome, and pushed ahead in numerous fields: art, architecture, literature, philosophy, banking, commerce, religion, politics, and warfare. This era is inundated with famous names (Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Petrarch, Machiavelli, Cervantes, and Shakespeare), and the heritage it left can hardly be overestimated.The A to Z of the Renaissance provides information on these fields through its chronology, which traces events from 1250 to 1648, and its introduction delineating the underlying features of the period. However, it is the dictionary section, with hundreds of cross-referenced entries on famous persons (from Adrian to Zwingli), key locations, supporting political and social institutions, wars, religious reformations, achievements, and failures, which is the heart of this book. Further research is facilitated by the bibliography.

Science Fiction literature, also known as sci fi and sf, is one of the more recent genres, and also one of the more popular. It only truly emerged during the 20th century, and has not stopped growing in terms of authors, titles and readers. It has also evolved into a variety of subgenres, ranging from hard sf to soft sf, from Utopias to dystopias, with more than a smattering of horror, detective, war and feminist titles.Stableford covers all these aspects and more, taking a close look at what has become a booming industry, with its specialized writers, publishers, and fan magazines. The compendium includes not only sf from the United States and United Kingdom, but also France, Russia, and many others. While the chronology charts the genre's dazzling growth, and the dictionary section looks at writers, books, themes, and other specifics, the introduction provides exceptional insight into what Science Fiction Literature is all about.

Contrary to many assessments that immediately followed the end of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, that war was neither short nor decisive. The 1991 conflict was the dramatic manifestation of long-standing antagonisms among the principal participants, and its results continue to have a profound effect on the region, a fact that can be seen most clearly in the current U.S.-occupation of Iraq. It is therefore important to determine, on the diplomatic side, just how the war got started, how it was fought, and whether the dramatic ground campaign should have exceeded the mere hundred hours it lasted in order to bring about a more decisive conclusion.With the seemingly endless follow-up to the war continuing, The A to Z of the Persian Gulf War 1990-1991 draws together the results of assessments of the war by a multitude of commentators. This is accomplished through an introduction, a chronology, a list of acronyms and abbreviations, a bibliography, appendixes, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on many of the significant civilian and military persons, crucial diplomatic and political actions, as well as the essential military aspects, including the strategy and tactics, the encounters and battles, and the forces and weapons deployed by both sides. As the situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate, this reference provides an important historical perspective on an increasingly critical issue.

Taoism, the set of philosophical teachings and religious practices rooted in the understanding of the Chinese character Tao, or "The Way," was founded by the Chinese philosopher Laozi in the 6th Century BCE, whose work, the Tao Te Ching (The Book of the Way and its Virtue) laid the philosophical foundation for the religion's beliefs. This volume starts, as it should, with a detailed chronology of Taoism and its relationship both to China and other teachings. The introduction inserts it further in this basic context. Then the dictionary section, consisting of several hundred cross-referenced entries, provides a more detailed treatment of significant persons, nonpersons (gods and demons), concepts, practices, rituals, scriptures, and schools. The bibliography suggests further reading.

Consisting of 192 Member States, the United Nations was founded in 1945 to maintain international peace and security; to develop friendly relations among nations based on the respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples; to achieve international cooperation in solving problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character; and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.Just how successful the UN has been in maintaining these goals is covered in The A to Z of the United Nations. Author Jacques Fomerand provides a comprehensive dictionary of nearly 900 cross-referenced entries on the UN's various committees and organizations, its leaders, terms, policies, and major events in which the UN took part. Supplementing the dictionary entries are a chronology, an introduction, a bibliography, and appendixes, which include a reproduction of the UN's Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as a list of the Member States and when they joined.

Judaism, the religion of the Jewish people, is one of the first recorded monotheistic religions, and as such is one of the oldest religious traditions still practiced today. While its influences can be seen in the religions of both Christianity and Islam, many of its beliefs, traditions, and practices are unknown. The second edition of The A to Z of Judaism doesn't just present "religious" beliefs in a traditional sense but investigates the complex intermingling of religion, devotion, lifestyle, and culture as it is found in diverse Jewish populations around the world and as it has evolved over the course of recent human history. Judaism, like many other cultural institutions, has rarely remained static—instead, continually investigating and questioning itself, metamorphosing in relation to the world.By means of a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and numerous cross-referenced dictionary entries on important persons, writings, institutions, concepts, Hebrew words, philosophy, theology, and religious law, author Norman Solomon provides an important reference source for the study of Judaism.

Alongside the older and more established religions, there are hundreds, indeed, thousands more, which have recently emerged. These "new religious movements" or NRMs—for lack of a better name—are not only numerous, they are also extremely varied and stem from a wide array of sources. They run the gamut from small to large, and all possess a tendency to constantly expand. And while their potential for good is considerable, more often than not it is their abuses that are noticed. Still, writing them off as "sects" is too easy, especially when they are as poorly understood as they often are.The A to Z of New Religious Movements is a major contribution to understanding these new and formative religions. While leaving any evaluation to the reader, it offers brief descriptions of well over a hundred NRMs in the dictionary section, along with information on the founders and leaders, and also their roots in Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and other more traditional religions. The impact of modern philosophy and science are also weighed. Since their roots often lay further back, the chronology starts in the 18th century and continues to the present, and the introduction attempts the arduous task of defining and categorizing the NRMs. The extensive bibliography provides further reading.

For over a century, the conflict between the Arabs and Jews has remained the most intractable problem confronting the world. Hardly a day passes that the Arab-Israeli Conflict is not headlined in the media. It has turned the Arabs and Israelis against one another and embittered relations within the two communities, while drawing the rest of the world into the circle of disruption. The A to Z of the Arab-Israeli Conflict provides factual background through an introductory essay, a chronology, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on the more significant persons, places and events, including the various wars and negotiations. The history, religion, culture, and archeology that this rivalry has sparked between the Arabs and Israelis over the same piece of territory is traced in this book, which offers the essential details using neutral terms and thereby allowing readers to draw conclusions for themselves.

Byzantium was one of the greatest empires that ever existed. It reigned over extensive regions around the Mediterranean and in Eastern Europe from its founding by Constantine in 324 to the fall of Constantinople in 1453. During this period, its emperors had not only secular powers but also religious, dominating the Orthodox church that spread into Slavic lands. However, internal divisions, rivalry with the West, and the relentless battle against invaders, including the Ottomans, would eventually weaken the Byzantine Empire, and although it disappeared half a millennia ago, its influences can still be seen today in Eastern Orthodoxy and Byzantine art and archaeology.The A to Z of Byzantium covers an impressively long period of over a thousand years, balancing the high points as it expanded and flourished and the low points when it was pushed back. The major events are first marked in the chronology and then expanded upon in the introduction. What actually transpired can then be seen in greater detail through several hundred cross-referenced dictionary entries describing important persons, institutions, events, and significant aspects of the economy, society, culture, religion, and warfare. A bibliography of supplementary material concludes the book.

The French Revolution remains the most examined event and period in world history. Most historians would argue that it was the first "modern" revolution, an event so momentous that it changed the very meaning of the word revolution to its current connotation of a political and/or social upheaval that marks a decisive break with the past, moving the society in a forward or progressive direction. No revolution has occurred since 1789 without making reference to this first revolution, and most have been measured against it. When revolution shook the foundations of the Old Regime in France, shock waves reverberated throughout the western world.The A to Z of the French Revolution examines the causes and origins; the roles of significant persons; crucial events and turning points; important institutions and organizations; and the economic, social, and intellectual factors involved in the event that gave birth to the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, the introduction of universal manhood suffrage, and the Napoleonic Empire. An introductory essay, chronology, and comprehensive bibliography complement the more than 400 cross-referenced dictionary entries, making this a great resource for students and history enthusiasts alike.

On October 31, 1517, the German Priest Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses challenging the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church on the door of the church in Wittenberg. It is widely held that this act triggered the large exodus from the Catholic Church, which became known as the Protestant Reformation. Lutheranism, one of the many Protestant movements that were spawned as a result of this revolution, is largely founded on the teachings and writings of Martin Luther.The A to Z of Lutheranism sheds light on the many and varied concerns of the church, from its earliest manifestations in the 16th century to recent decisions at the turn of the 20th century. This is accomplished through a chronology, an introduction, a bibliography, an appendix, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on important persons, major events and institutions, the theology and ethics, significant concepts, and the broader social, cultural, and economic impact of Lutheranism and its worldwide expansion.

Although relatively few in number-there are only a few hundred thousand members worldwide-the Religious Society of Friends has had an unusually strong impact. Originating in Great Britain in the 17th century, the denomination has since expanded to many other parts of the world while its spiritual influence has reached even further. Concepts such as the "inward light" and "friendly persuasion" are familiar well beyond their own circles and others have often heeded the Quakers' call for cooperation and peaceful resolution of problems as the wisest counsel.Yet, while widely known and admired, they are too often known only superficially. The A to Z Guide of the Friends (Quakers) clears up these superficialities by digging much deeper into the Society's past as well as present. In the guide's dictionary section, numerous cross-referenced entries describe the origins and history, the situation in many different countries, the basic concepts and practices, and the views on important contemporary issues. Others present the leading figures, from the founders, such as George Fox and Francis Howgill, on. The chronology shows the progression over time while the bibliography points the way to further reading. The book's four editors were aided by an Advisory Committee, while the contributions stem from over a hundred authors.

This engaging reference examines the history of, the search for, and the discovery of Australia, taking full account of the evidence for and the speculation surrounding possible earlier contacts by the Ancient Egyptians, Arabs, and Chinese seamen. Day brings the expeditions to life, expressing the desires that drove great sea captains deeper into turbulent waters searching for caches of spice, silks, and precious metals.Covers a wide variety of topics, including• Seamen from eight nations• The recovery of storm wrecked ships• Diplomatic treaties• Priority of discovery disputes• Military and civil explorers and surveyors• Topographical features• Geographical terms and places• Rivers and river system

The Lesbian Liberation Movement is both a movement that encompasses liberating a sexual practice from stigmatization and a political movement challenging the dual oppression of women by the patriarchy's assumption of male supremacy and heterosexuality. Over the years, much has been written on homosexuality and the Gay Liberation Movement, yet much of the focus has been on male homosexuals, especially male homosexual activity and the politics that activity raises.The A to Z of the Lesbian Liberation Movement: Still the Rage is a comprehensive overview and resource guide for one of the most invisible social political movements: the Lesbian Liberation Movement. This book helps to make the still-active movement visible—the history, successes, setbacks, controversies, and issues. This book is a good resource for those studying this social political movement, containing a chronology, contextual overview, dictionary entries that cover persons, laws, terminology, issues, and countries, and an extensive bibliography of primary resources and current work.

The A to Z of the "Dirty Wars" covers the most recent period of military dictatorship in Argentina (1976-1983), Chile (1973-1990), and Uruguay (1973-1985), when national-security regimes waged war against suspected subversives. The chief targets of these regimes were leftists, especially armed guerrillas and their supporters, though the term "subversive" came to include anyone perceived to be a threat to the status quo. Unlike a conventional war fought against a physical enemy, a "dirty war" (guerra sucia) is fought against an ideology. The difficulty of rooting out such an unconventional enemy was thought to justify unconventional tactics. As a result, thousands of citizens were abducted by security forces, illegally detained, and tortured.Although the term "dirty war" is most closely associated with Argentina during the 1970s, it has since become a byword for state-sponsored terror in other parts of the world and in other historical contexts. The reason for focusing on the Southern Cone of South America is threefold. First, these countries are often discussed together in the literature on dictatorship and its aftermath. Second, they were among the most notorious offenders in a region noted for human rights abuses. Third, their continuing efforts to bring "dirty war" participants to justice have renewed interest in the period, especially in the light of debate on how to prosecute human rights offenders in other parts of the world. Through a chronology for each country, an introduction, a lengthy bibliography, and cross-referenced dictionary entries, The A to Z of the "Dirty Wars" describes the period, including the background and aftermath.

The A to Z of the Vikings traces Viking activity in Europe, North America, and Asia for over three centuries. During this period people from Scandinavia used their longships to launch lightning raids upon their European neighbors, to colonize new lands in the east and west, and to exchange Scandinavian furs for eastern wine and spices and Arab silver. The Viking age also saw significant changes at home in Scandinavia—kings extended their power, Norse paganism lost ground to Christianity, and new towns and ports thrived as a result of increased contact with the wider world.This book provides a comprehensive work of reference for people interested in the Vikings, including entries on the main historical figures involved in this dramatic period, important battles and treaties, significant archaeological finds, and key works and sources of information on the period. It also summarizes the impact the Vikings had on the areas where they traveled and settled. There is a chronological table, detailed and annotated bibliographies for different themes and geographical locations, and an introduction discussing the major events and developments of the Viking age.

This volume examines significant individuals and developments in American political, economic, social, and cultural history between the years 1913 and 1933. It was a time of momentous change including involvement in World War I, the Red Scare, the Jazz Age, the Crash of 1929, and the onset of the Great Depression. It covers the presidencies of Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover and the shift from reformism to conservatism. Prohibition and gangsterism symbolized the apparent failure of politics.The A to Z from the Great War to the Great Depression covers this important period in American history with a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on everything from automobiles, chemicals, and electrical goods, to mass entertainment and the rise of Hollywood, radio, and sport.

During the late 11th through the early 14th centuries at least seven major expeditions were made between Western Europe and the Holy Land with the goal of ending Muslim control of Jerusalem. Ultimately the crusaders were driven out, but not before a cultural exchange had taken place that had an immense impact on Western Europe and an equally enormous, albeit less positive, impact on Arabs and the Islamic world.Although the crusades occurred many centuries ago, echoes still resound through the current clashes of nations and ideologies, kidnappings for ransom, assassinations, and the declaring of "jihad"—all making the crusades an eminently timely subject. This one-volume overview provides an accessible reference work for scholars, students, and general readers on the period with numerous entries on key persons, places, events, battles and sieges, use of weapons and armor, and the deeper issues of the political and cultural background. Complete with a detailed chronology and a bibliography, this work allows readers to learn how Europe was changed forever by these battles with Islam.

The decline of institutionalized religion in the increasingly secularized West has been offset by the contemporary spiritual development understood in the form of emerging New Age movements. This reference presents the potpourri of spiritual and psycho-physical therapeutic practices associated with this affirmation of the individual's spiritual freedom, the expectation of a future golden age, the emphasis on self-development, and the holistic pluralism that sets the dominant pulse for innovative spirituality in the twenty-first century. The A to Z of New Age Movements furnishes profiles and explanations of New Age spokespeople and leaders, of a range of human potential and self-help practices, of countercultural spiritual developments, and of different groups and organizations that identify as New Age. The dictionary consists of over 240 individual entries along with an introduction that describes the historical foundations of the New Age orientation and its relation with contemporary Western paganism. It also presents the sociological dimension of New Age expression, as well as the kinds of criticism with which the New Age identity must contend. There is both a New Age Chronology and a bibliography also included.

Small though it may be, Unitarian Universalism has had a big impact not only on its members but also on the world around it. Rejecting the constraints of other Christian denominations, it sought tolerance for itself and, surprisingly, freely granted tolerance to others. Evolving in its principles and practices over a relatively short lifetime, it shows every sign of developing further, reaching beyond Christianity to embrace what is good in other, more diverse religions. Unitarian Universalism has also regularly been at the forefront in fighting for social causes, including abolition, temperance, women's suffrage, pacifism, educational reform, environmentalism, and others.Unitarian Universalism has also spread with time. First developed in present-day Romania and Hungary, its center shifted early to England, but its most successful story is the way it grew and flourished in the United States. This reference covers numerous subjects, both historical and contemporary, with entries on the places where the church was present, many more on significant leaders, and an impressive number on causes and issues. All the important people, events, and ideas in this religion are included, as well as important late-20th-century battles, including racism and new principles and purposes.