Reviews of: Allah in the West: Islamic Movements in America and Europe; Islam in Britain, 1558-1685; Islam and Christianity: Mutual Perceptions Since the Mid-20th Century

These two volumes, not as ambitious as Eliade’s Encyclopedia of Religion, constitute a condensed encyclopedia of religious phenomena with a special emphasis on media and popular culture. Profusely illustrated with detailed maps and photographs, they cover a wide range of theoretical and descriptive themes in an international and comparative context: the body, the individual and society, cultural, economic. and political dimensions, elements of religious systems, the history of religions, and the geography of religions. The illustrations, some of them very rare, work well with the text, juxtaposing old themes with new contexts. The entries, for the most part, are quite short. However, most are concise, providing useful, quick references. Each is accompanied by a list of further readings and links to related key terms found elsewhere in the Lexikon. These first two volumes cover A-0. A forthcoming third will run through Z. The fourth volume will include a comprehensive bibliography and filmography, a historical chronology of religions, and a comprehensive index.