Synopsis
This balanced and sensitive study draws on a wide range of original sources to provide a scholarly yet highly readable account of the period, exploring the delicate interplay between religion and politics and the roots of the conflict that led to the Crisis of Succession and Sunni/Shii schism.

Synopsis
This concise and accessible encyclopedia with five hundred-plus pages contains nearly 300 entries on the world's major religions, as well as important articles on important holy places... prophets and historical figures... and spiritual practices and religions that predate organized religion. From Aaron (the first high priest of Israel) to Zoroastrianism (once the dominant religion in Persia), The Religion Book provides an encyclopedic look at the practices of yesterday and today. Christians, Buddhists, Wiccans and the rest may have questions about others' belief or even their own, and The Religion Book expertly explains the similarities, differences, and original ideologies of believers and skeptics around the world. Are Nirvana and Heaven the same? What's the difference between Christian Scientists and Jehovah's Witnesses? Dogma? Karma? Feng Shui? What do they all mean? Devils, ghosts, the afterlife - do they really exist? If killing's a sin, why are there jihads?