Ebook – Pilgrimage: An Encyclopedia (2 vol. set) Two-Volume Edition (PDF Instant Download)

From Booklist This splendid encyclopedia is a delight to read and pleasing to view. The authors begin with an introduction warranting special note; in less than 10 pages, the reader receives a comprehensive overview of the history, nature, and purpose of the pilgrimage, cutting across cultures and particular faith traditions. Pilgrimage is defined here as ´a journey to a special place, in which both the journey and the destination have spiritual significance for the journeyer.´

The 600-plus alphabetically arranged encyclopedia is more representative than exhaustive, giving ´greatest emphasis to pilgrimage sites with the widest range and inclusiveness and the longest duration.´ Examples include Gettysburg, Graceland, Lenin’s Tomb, Lourdes, Masada, and Mecca. Major religious traditions, among them Buddhism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Hinduism, Jainism, Judaism, Native American religions, Protestantism, and Roman Catholicism, are treated in respect to the role of pilgrimage. There are also entries for people, concepts, and other topics important to pilgrimage; for example, Apparitions ; Indulgences ; Peron, Eva Duarte de . Ranging in length from a paragraph or two to several pages, entries are generally thorough and uniformly well written, with good documentation (including Web addresses when appropriate). A few maps are added for reader convenience. The text is frequently enlivened with the anecdotal details of actual pilgrim experiences and frequent illustrations which adds a nice balance to the encyclopedia format. See and see also references assist the reader through the variety of subjects. Two helpful sections complete this absorbing work: a listing of pilgrimage sites by country and religion, plus 40 pages of historic and contemporary bibliography. Highly recommended for academic and larger public libraries. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Product Description

Pilgrimage is a comprehensive compendium of the basic facts on Pilgrimage from ancient times to the 21st century. Illustrated with maps and photographs that enrich the reader’s journey, this authoritative volume explores sites, people, activities, rites, terminology, and other matters related to pilgrimage such as economics, tourism, and disease.Encompassing all major and minor world religions, from ancient cults to modern faiths, this work covers both religious and secular pilgrimage sites. Compiled by experts who have authored numerous books on pilgrimage and are pilgrims in their own right, the entries will appeal to students, scholars, and general readers. Review ´This encyclopedia contains a wealth of information . . . this is the only encyclopedic work on pilgrimage and deserves to be in all academic and medium to large public libraries.´ ―

Library Journal

´A comprehensive coverage of world pilgrimages . . . Recommended.´ ―

Choice

´This splendid encyclopedia is a delight to read and pleasing to view . . . Highly recommended for academic and larger public libraries.´ ―

Booklist

´[A] serious encyclopedia that sheds light on pilgrimage, both religious and secular . . . The content of this reference is rich and varied, and so are the value added features . . . Pilgrimage: From the Ganges to Graceland is a unique source that helps explain the attraction and importance that pilgrimage has for millions of people, regardless of nationality, or religion . . . both public and academic libraries will find it appropriate for their reference collections.´ ―

Against the Grain About the Author Linda Kay Davidson , PhD, is a medievalist and Spanish instructor at the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, and the coauthor of several books on pilgrimage.

David M. Gitlitz , PhD, is professor of hispanic studies at the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI.