Dear Rachel, A selection from my most recent acquisitions on the subject include:
Handbook of denominations in the United States/F. S. Mead, Samuel S. Hill, Nashinville, TN; Abingdon Press, 2001 The new believers: a survey of sects, cults and alternative religions / David V. Barrett, Londong, Cassell&Co, 2001 Odd gods: new religions & the cult controversy, ed. by James R. Lewis, Amherst, NY, Prometheus Books, 2001 (my candidate for the best title of 2001). The illustrated encyclopedia of active new religions, sects, and cults / Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi, New York, Rosen Publishing Group, 1998. General World Religion books -- be careful -- many have an unconscious assumption of christocentrism but they can be useful as an overview. Encyclopedia of world religions / Robert S. Ellwood, Facts on File Atlas of the world's religions, edited by Ninian Smart, Oxford U. Press, 1999 Sourcebook of the world's religions: an interfaith guide to religion and spirituality, edited by Joel Beversluis, New World Library 2001 etc, etc. You might want to look for guides to particular cults and belief systems, such as Wicca, etc. and older books: Smashing the idols: a Jewish inquiry into the cult phenomenon, edited by Gary D. Eisenbertg, Northvale, NJ, Jason Aronson, 1988. Acts of faith: a journey to the fringes of Jewish identity / Dan Ross, New York; St. Martin's Press, 1982. An fascinating look at non-mainstream or "long-lost" groups within Judaism. Hope this is a help, Liza ========================================================================== HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
