William Hewat McLeod is one of the foremost authorities on Sikhism, having taught in the Punjab in the 1950s and since then having studied and written extensively on Sikhism. Throughout his career the author has concentrated his research exclusively on the history and religion of the Sikhs. He is the author of numerous articles and several books, including The Sikhs: History, Religion, and Society. The author teaches at the University of Otago in Denedin, New Zealand.
McLeod first published his Historical Dictionary of Sikhism in
1995. This book is a revised, much expanded second edition. It is
small enough to be non-intimidating, with an inviting,
user-friendly style that a wide range of readers will find
appealing....a very valuable book that will be of undeniable appeal
to a broad audience. It is strongly recommended as an addition to
Gurdwara, academic and public library collections. Its style is
terse, but very readable, as befits a work of this genre. Its
wealth of useful facts and cross-references will undoubtedly serve
as a springboard to motivate the reader towards more in-depth
exploration and research....This book by Hew McLeod is a worthy
addition to this excellent series by the Scarecrow Press.
*The Sikh Review*
Compared to Cole and Sambhi's Popular Dictionary of Sikhism (see
ARBA 91, entry 1452), this dictionary is a more through reference
work. Cole and Sambhi's dictionary does not contain a bibliography
nor does it provide as many cross-references.
*American Reference Books Annual*
...offers an authoritative reference work on the Sikh religion,
history and people....a comprehensive and concise reference work in
one volume.
*s, Vol. 20 No. 5, 2006*
They were once mysterious denizens of the Punjab, famous for their
fighting prowess and their deep secrecy. Now, after their
dispersion into India, the UK and the US, Sikhs have transcended
some of the mystery but have remained the Other in their diaspora.
McLeod, a leading scholar of the Sikh religion and social system,
begins with maps, a chronology and an introduction to the contexts
of Sikhism, and then provides a comprehensive dictionary of several
hundred entries describing the essence of Sikh life, belief and
thought, tracing the long history of the Sikhs, their political and
religious leaders, and the people inside and outside their faith
they consider important. McLeod has updated this edition to include
recent developments in the Punjab and elsewhere.
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