As world religions have gained more importance, producing a reference set on this topic for youth offers a way to understand other people's belief systems. This set deals with the development and current practice of religions and philosophies. As with similar UXL sets, it includes two volumes titled Almanac, two Biographies volumes, and a Primary Sources volume.
The two Almanac volumes trace the history of 18 religions and philosophies. Coverage is strong in non-Christian religions and includes nonmainstream ideologies; on the basis of population, it appears that the most glaring omission is Mormonism. An introductory chapter provides an overview of religion. Subsequent chapters are each about 18 pages, covering development, sects, basic beliefs, sacred writings, sacred symbols, worship, observances, everyday living, influence, and further readings (books, periodicals, and Web^B sites). Besides the main religions, topics include Agnosticism and atheism, Ancient religions, Indigenous religions (mainly African and North American), and Neo-paganism.
The Biographies portion of the set contains 50 biographies, with entries varying in length from 8 to 18 pages. Most individuals started religious sects, but a few are philosophers (e.g., Aristotle, Karl Marx) or current "movers" (e.g., Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu). A conscious effort has been made to include women and non-Western figures. Each entry includes personal history, influence, and a bibliography. Black-and-white photos accompany most entries.
The Primary Sources volume covers 18 sacred writings, from the Epic of Gilgamesh to Emma Goldman's essay "The Philosophy of Atheism." Each entry notes the document's place in history and provides background information, interesting facts, discussion questions, and bibliography.
All volumes include a glossary of terms, a time line, and an index, all of which reflect the topics covered. A separate paperback volume contains a cumulative index. Accessible and respectful, the set is a useful reference for public and school libraries, particularly for basic information about non-Western religions.