The Life of Hinduism [Paperback]

The Life of Hinduismbrings together a series of essaysmany recognized as classics in the fieldthat present Hinduism as a vibrant, truly lived religion. Celebrating the diversity for which Hinduism is known, this volume begins its journey in the new India of Bangalore, Indias Silicon Valley, where global connections and local traditions rub shoulders daily. Readers are then offered a glimpse into the multifaceted world of Hindu worship, life-cycle rites, festivals, performances, gurus, and castes. The books final sections deal with the Hinduism that is emerging in diasporic North America and with issues of identity that face Hindus in India and around the world: militancy versus tolerance and the struggle between owning ones own religion and sharing it with others.

Contributors: Andrew Abbott, Michael Burawoy, Patricia Hill Collins, Barbara Ehrenreich, Evelyn Nakano Glenn, Sharon Hays, Douglas Massey, Joya Misra, Orlando Patterson, Frances Fox Piven, Lynn Smith-Lovin, Judith Stacey, Arthur Stinchcombe, Alain Touraine, Immanuel Wallerstein, William Julius Wilson, Robert Zussman

John Stratton Hawleyis Ann Whitney Olin Professor of Religion at Barnard College. He is the editor ofSaints and VirtuesandDevi: Goddesses of India(both from UC Press), among other books.Vasudha Narayananis Professor of Religion at University of Florida. Her books includeThe Tamil Veda: Pillan's Interpretation of the TiruvaymoliandThe Vernacular Veda: Revelation, Recitation, and Ritual.

Hawley and Narayanan have shaped the presentation of this volume in an elegant, graceful way; the framework is brilliant, original, and compelling. These articles are very accessible, informative, diverse, and complex in argumentation. The collection of readings, carefully sifted from the repertoire of books and articles over the past generation, brings together items that are factually accurate and just great ló&