About the Author

J. Gordon Melton is director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion in Santa Barbara, CA.

Martin Baumann is a professional editor, professor of the history of religions at the University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland, and research fellow at the University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany.

Reviews

"[C]omprehensive . . . unique encyclopedia . . . This remarkable work is recommended for academic and larger public libraries." - Library Journal

"With comprehensive coverage and an innovative approach to the study of religion, Religions of the World is an excellent addition to public and academic library reference collections. It supplies the pieces missing from traditional encyclopedias of religion." - Booklist

"In an unusual, creative, and effective approach, this encyclopedia surveys religion by country, as well as by individual entries for each sect or faith . . . impressive . . ." - School Library Journal

"[Q]uick overviews and excellent basic information regarding the major religions and number of followers in each country. Recommended for public, college, and university reference collections." - Choice

"[T]his is one of the few religious encyclopedias that highlights the western esoteric tradition (commonly known as New Age), the topic of 'unbelief,' as well as 'ethnoreligions' and traditional African religions . . . This particular encyclopedia is useful due to its inclusion of many of the New Age spiritual movements, along with its essays related to atheism and agnosticism." - American Reference Books Annual

"Relentlessly objective and brimming with facts . . . about one thousand articles on religious bodies and organizations that are significant either in size or influence ... there are no other works that bring this information together in on place. There are also few that attempt to treat the topic of religion so dispassionately . . . a fascinating survey of world religions . . . an invaluable reference work. It will be useful in libraries from secondary schools through universities, as well as in the libraries of religious organizations." - Reference & User Services Quarterly

"[U]nique approach persists as a welcome addition to the field . . . Recommended." - Choice

"[C]omprehensive . . . unique encyclopedia . . . This remarkable work is recommended for academic and larger public libraries." - Library Journal
"With comprehensive coverage and an innovative approach to the study of religion, Religions of the World is an excellent addition to public and academic library reference collections. It supplies the pieces missing from traditional encyclopedias of religion." - Booklist
"In an unusual, creative, and effective approach, this encyclopedia surveys religion by country, as well as by individual entries for each sect or faith . . . impressive . . ." - School Library Journal
"[Q]uick overviews and excellent basic information regarding the major religions and number of followers in each country. Recommended for public, college, and university reference collections." - Choice
"[T]his is one of the few religious encyclopedias that highlights the western esoteric tradition (commonly known as New Age), the topic of 'unbelief,' as well as 'ethnoreligions' and traditional African religions . . . This particular encyclopedia is useful due to its inclusion of many of the New Age spiritual movements, along with its essays related to atheism and agnosticism." - American Reference Books Annual
"Relentlessly objective and brimming with facts . . . about one thousand articles on religious bodies and organizations that are significant either in size or influence ... there are no other works that bring this information together in on place. There are also few that attempt to treat the topic of religion so dispassionately . . . a fascinating survey of world religions . . . an invaluable reference work. It will be useful in libraries from secondary schools through universities, as well as in the libraries of religious organizations." - Reference & User Services Quarterly
"[U]nique approach persists as a welcome addition to the field . . . Recommended." - Choice