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The first edition of this award-winning reference, published in 1977, contained 425 biographical profiles of the most significant American religious leaders. Bowden has added profiles for 125 additional figures, and the earlier sketches have been revised and updated. Each profile contains a capsule summary of the figure's life, followed by a discussion of the historical context of the figure's contribution and a bibliography of works by and about the individual. Appendices categorize the figures by religious denomination and place of birth. The dictionary contains entries for individuals who died before July 1, 1992, and reflects America's cultural and religious diversity.

Tabla de contenidos provista por Syndetics

• Preface
• Abbreviations for Standard
• Reference Sources
• Appendix I
• Appendix II Biographies
• Selected Bibliography
• Index

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CHOICE Review

The first edition (CH, Sep'77) of this collective biography supplied one-page alphabetically arranged sketches of 425 deceased persons. The present work adds 111 sketches (rather than the 125 promised in the Preface). An evenhanded editorial touch is evident throughout in selection of the added subjects, all of whom add balance; all were deceased as of 1 July 1992. They include 18 women, 12 African Americans (including several ex-slaves), all Roman Catholic cardinals, the second US saint, all Mormon presidents, representatives of non-mainline denominations, and most leaders of social justice movements. As in the first edition, appendixes list denominational affiliation and birthplace; a select bibliography of 85 books arranged by category and an index conclude the work. Although Roman Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, and Unitarian entries lead the additions, they do not preponderate as in the 1977 work. Regions other than the Northeast receive greater representation. Since only 13 new subjects were born in this century, the 49 new entries for 1850-99 and 31 for 1800-49 suggest that the 19th century's qualified individuals have been adequately covered. Some of the reading is compelling: one woman starved with her converts in famine-ridden China and one illiterate ex-slave woman undertook a speaking tour of India before 1900. So long as current interest in biography or "life history" is high, this title will be highly useful, but need for a third edition very soon appears dim. D. G. Davis Jr.; University of Texas at Austin

Booklist Review

The second edition of this reference work (first published in 1977) has 125 additional biographies, for a total of 550 people influential in American religions. For example, additional Mormon leaders such as Spencer Wooley Kimball and Parley Parker Pratt have been added. The author notes, moreover, that more than 350 of the original entries were revised and updated. Coverage is limited to those deceased before July 1, 1992. Other improvements include boldface type for page numbers of main entries in the index and the addition of a selected bibliography at the end of the volume. The work includes subjects from all chronological periods and most denominational affiliations. Only about 40 women were selected for inclusion. The author admits in his preface that more discussion of women as well as Native Americans and other minority groups is needed. The bulk of the entries are for mainstream Protestants plus 73 Roman Catholic and 23 Jewish leaders. The "urban cults" category contains such leaders as Father Divine and Malcolm X. Entries first give the subject's educational background and career followed by a narrative discussion of his or her influence. The entry concludes with two bibliographies, separated into primary sources by the person under consideration and secondary sources for further information. Two appendixes list entrants by denomination and by birthplace. Several small flaws mar this otherwise well conceived dictionary. Some of the entrants are not listed in the appendix under denominational affiliation, for example, Tenskwatawa (Shawnee), Suzuki (Buddhist), and Abdu'l-Baha (Bahaism). Secondly, some of the choices of entrants oversimplify a group. This is particularly evident in the choice of Evangeline Booth to represent the Salvation Army, while William, Catherine, or Ballington Booth are not given entries. Other logical choices such as Herbert W. Armstrong (Worldwide Church of God), William S. Crowdy (Black Jews), and Timothy Drew (Black Muslims) are missing. On the other hand, one wonders why Jim Jones of Guyana notoriety is included. Finally, a few entries did not agree with information checked in other biographical sources. The Dictionary of American Catholic Biography (1984) has a different middle name for John Zahm and includes more of his contributions in establishing Holy Cross College. John Nepomucene Neumann has a different feast day in each source, and the story of Catherine Tekakwitha omits the fact that she was called the "Lily of the Mohawks" and was declared venerable in 1943 by Pope Pius XII. The Dictionary of American Catholic Biography, the Dictionary of Jewish Biography (1991), and the fourth volume of Notable American Women (1980) are not included as sources. Such problems notwithstanding, this is a useful reference work in an area where such sources are sparse. Although expensive, the book is recommended for university, theological, and public libraries. (Reviewed Oct. 15, 1993)