Toropov, a nonfiction writer, and Buckles, who teaches theology at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Graduate Theological Union, and is a member of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), introduce world religions to general readers. They explain Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taosim, Confucianism, and Shinto; ancient religions of the Egyptians, Greeks, Mayans, Druids, and Aztecs; nature religions of Africa, the Pacific, and North America; and New Thought religions. In addition, there are chapters on the basic ideas supporting the majority of systems; how to approach people from different religious backgrounds; how religions approach big questions such as war, suicide, euthanasia, and abortion; and how they view important life questions like existence and the relationship to God. This edition adds chapters on Sikhism, extremism in the twenty-first century, afterlife beliefs, and additional online resources. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)