Drawn from his masterful presentation of Islam in the bestselling The World's Religions, Huston Smith offers a highly readable and incisive guide to the heart of a tradition with more than 1 billion adherents worldwide. Dispelling narrow and distorted notions about the nature of Islam, Smith shows the rich history, culture, and values that sustain this vibrant tradition.

Are we today witness to a renewed confrontation between ‘‘Islam and the West’’ or are the signs of an imperial domination of globalized capital versus new modes of resistance to it already evident? This book is a radical piece of counter-intuitive rethinking on the clash of civilizations theory and global politics.

In this accessible introduction to Hinduism, Klaus K. Klostermaier explains the origins, beliefs, scriptures and philosophies of this ancient religion, and considers modern challenges the religion faces, such as the relationship between Hinduism and the West. Sweeping in scope, and highly readable, Hinduism: A Beginner's Guide offers a unique overview of a tradition that spans thousands of years and is essential reading for students, followers, and interested readers alike.

An essential collection of more than 2,500 deities of the world. For more than 60,000 years, people have worshiped deities of the sun, sky, and sea, as well as creator gods, relying on the guidance of faith in the midst of the mysterious world around them. Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses, Second Edition provides access to more than 2,500 of these religious figures, from ancient Sumerian gods through the modern Haitian deities.