Today, churches in Europe go vacant and African congregations send missionaries to evangelize the United States. Gonzalez grapples with how this shiftToday, churches in Europe go vacant and African congregations send missionaries to evangelize the United States. Gonzalez grapples with how this shift of Christianity's focal points to the global south affects how we tell the story of Christianity--not just today, but from its foundations....more
Nope, you don't get off that easy--Shagan goes back to the sources to look at what kind of role the English people played in the Reformation. While heNope, you don't get off that easy--Shagan goes back to the sources to look at what kind of role the English people played in the Reformation. While he agrees with previous assessments that the Ref. in England was primarily political rather than theological, and by no means an overnight success, he shows how the common people were present at every step of the way: sometimes as deliberate audience, sometimes as very active participants....more
A collection of essays by some of the leading historians of South Asia, this work looks at ways in which modes of understanding the past have been negA collection of essays by some of the leading historians of South Asia, this work looks at ways in which modes of understanding the past have been negotiated within various registers, including folktales, religious architecture, ballads etc....more
A comprehensive account of the emergence of caste consciousness in Western India in the late 19th century. O'Hanlon highlights the history of lower caA comprehensive account of the emergence of caste consciousness in Western India in the late 19th century. O'Hanlon highlights the history of lower caste struggle while also outlining its larger context. The work was influential in understanding the means of lower caste subjugation and the contentious history of their historic marginalisation....more
Though narrower in scope than either Laird or Norman's work, this book is incredibly detailed. Mullin is fluent in Tibetan and will translate some of Though narrower in scope than either Laird or Norman's work, this book is incredibly detailed. Mullin is fluent in Tibetan and will translate some of the Dalai Lamas' works in their entirety, and has access to records most English readers will never have. It's also really incredible to have access to the Dalai Lamas' search records, the inner workings of their courts, and detailed accounts of their lives and teachings which you will not find in the above books. The main problem with this book is that Mullin doesn't work at all to hide his spiritual preferences. I.e. he's a Tibetan Buddhist and while his academic information is well researched and cited, he lets his religious leanings color some of the writing....more
Nominally this work is about the Konpira Shrine and its changes from the late Sengoku to the modern world. But it goes far deeper, and provides a viviNominally this work is about the Konpira Shrine and its changes from the late Sengoku to the modern world. But it goes far deeper, and provides a vivid illustration of the extraordinary changes in Japanese socity, particularly during the tumultuous times after the Meiji Restoration....more
Though intended for the public as a whole, rather than any expert community of lawyers or historians, Professor Feldman's book gives a high-level overThough intended for the public as a whole, rather than any expert community of lawyers or historians, Professor Feldman's book gives a high-level overview of the tradition of religious freedom culminating in and explaining the First Amendment. For the academic, it is best viewed as a summary, and a guide to further sources....more
This book represents an attempt to illustrate the “making” of the Canadian working class. It draws upon Thompsonian culturalism for inspiration, and eThis book represents an attempt to illustrate the “making” of the Canadian working class. It draws upon Thompsonian culturalism for inspiration, and explores several instances of ethnic and religious practices that intersected with class experience....more
How the Catholic Church and the Third Republic fought it out (surprisingly literally) in the decades after the Franco-Prussian War, culminating in theHow the Catholic Church and the Third Republic fought it out (surprisingly literally) in the decades after the Franco-Prussian War, culminating in the Dreyfus Affair. The Third Republic gov't tried to make the Catholic Church irrelevant. The Catholic Church said no. A standoff!...more
A bit more specific but the best account of perhaps the most interesting period of religious change in English History by one of its greatest historiaA bit more specific but the best account of perhaps the most interesting period of religious change in English History by one of its greatest historians, though it is quite a dense book....more
Levack gives important background and context to his discussion of the witch-hunt. The work's value as an introduction to the topic is evident, as theLevack gives important background and context to his discussion of the witch-hunt. The work's value as an introduction to the topic is evident, as the book is now in its third edition....more
The standard for most classes about Islam in Africa. Broken into sections discussing West Africa and East Africa, and finally discussing general themeThe standard for most classes about Islam in Africa. Broken into sections discussing West Africa and East Africa, and finally discussing general themes by subject. Levtzion writes this after nearly 40 years of study of Islam in Africa....more