Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart was first published in 1909-13 by Mohr Siebeck; this is a translation and adaptation of the fourth German edition, of 1998-2005. Some editing was done for the English translation, including the removal of short articles mainly of interest to a German audience, and the addition of articles on figures who have died since the German edition was published. The topics selected come from a wide range of fields, including biblical studies, ethics, practical theology, history, philosophy, sociology, psychology, science, law, and economics. The scholarship is impeccable, as evidenced in the 86-page index to primary and secondary sources cited. Articles on general topics can be wide-ranging; that on human beings, for example, contains separate, individually authored sections on the topic in terms of the natural sciences, religious studies, philosophy, the Old Testament, the New Testament, church history, dogmatics and ethics, Judaism, and Islam. Entries are included for individual countries, with consideration of the different religions found in each, and their respective histories. This is a wonderfully rich resource that will be valuable to academics, theologians, students, and the general reader. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)