<DIV>Jack Huberman's <I>God Said to Abraham, Gimme a Son</I> is an encyclopedic treasury of religious absurdity. Armed with extensive knowledge of the world's religions, Huberman explores the less than palatable aspects of religious dogma?and the social and political strife that so often accompany religious zealotry.<P>From justifying ritual burnings of ?witches” to the Crusades to the silencing of scientific greats like Copernicus and Galileo, Huberman's book is at once hilarious and profound. Not only will this religious treasury appeal to trivia buffs (who will delight in learning about everything from the peculiarities of animism in the pre- Columbian Americas, to the contemporary madness of the Christian right), but its deep research and provocative, accessible style also make it an indispensable companion for believers and nonbelievers alike.</DIV>