This volume is an outstanding introduction to Hinduism and the many expressions of the religion in India. The evolution and nature of the major Hindu deities occupies substantial sections of the book as does a discussion of social structures, such as class and caste, that informs not only ritualistic practices and approaches to divinity but also societal norms. The historical roots of present-day beliefs and practices and the religious contexts in which they are based are examined, as are current issues such as the struggle for greater independence for women in all aspects of social and...