Facts On File, Inc.

Encyclopedia of Hinduism.

This 600-entry reference covers the major tenets, practices and people of the Hindu religion, back into prehistory. Along with such fundamental elements as meditation, gods and goddesses, worship, funeral rites and texts such as the Bhagavad Gita, this covers more complex theological issues such as the development of Jainism and Sikhism and the social and political impact of the caste system. Jones and Ryan, both of the California Institute of Integral Studies, include everything from biographies of theologians and Hindu poets to descriptions of rituals and festivals, historical events, and relations between Hinduism and other faiths. This is accessible to the curious amongst high school students, undergraduate and graduate students, and general readers. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Latinos in the arts.

Otfinoski has been writing for some 30 years and is the author of books and book chapters on Latino Americans, as well as a variety of Facts on File texts. In this alphabetically arranged text, he presents profiles of some 175 Latinos involved in the visual and performing arts. Each entry includes an introductory paragraph highlighting the individual's main achievements, a concise biographical profile detailing key events relating to his/her field of expertise, and a list of further readings. Illustrated with some 50 b&w photographs. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)