Indiana University Press blog

Book review: The Making of a Reform Jewish Cantor

"The accessible and readable style of Cohen’s account coupled with  relevant CD illustrations will make this a useful case study for a course on music in contemporary religious practice, while his theoretical observations will provide a springboard for much wider discussion of musical texts and processes." —Music & Letters

Book reviews: Kierkegaard and the Self before God

"For anyone who loves Kierkegaard, or who is puzzled and wants elucidation, this is a wonderfully intelligent, supple account of the philosopher’s thought, with a special emphasis laid on Kierkegaard’s rather doleful, sin-obsessed theology.” —The New Yorker

"Kierkegaard and the Self before God: Anatomy of the Abyss [sets] a more optimistic perspective. ... Podmore suggests another way of reading Kierkegaard, by contrasting despair, melancholy, anxiety or spiritual trial with faith, forgiveness and the love of God." —META: Research in Hermeneutics, Phenomenology, and Practical Philosophy

Book review: Religion, Morality and Community in Post-Soviet Societies

"[T]his volume makes a very timely and well researched contribution to the discussion of religion and politics in the former Soviet Union." —Slavonic and East European Review

Today I Am a Women event in Massachusetts

The Temple Reyim in Newton, MA will host an event based on Barbara Vinick's and Shulamit Reinharz's new book Today I Am a Woman on Nov. 20 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

During this event, girls will have the opportunity to hear bat mitzvah stories from around the world and explore their own bat mitzvah stories. 

You must register by Nov. 16 to attend the event. Cost is $18 per girl; girls must be accompanied by an adult. Reserve your spot here.

Book review: Finding Persephone

"[This] volume spans nearly a millennium of the Greco-Roman world. It offers a snapshot of the best work in a burgeoning subfield. Especially welcome is the fresh attention paid to issues of female agency, local differentiation in cult practices, and the precise literary, material, and socio-political contexts of our evidence." —Journal of Folklore Research

Book review: Women and Islamic Revival in a West African Town

"Masquelier's book offers not just a very fine (and historically grounded) ethnography of this remote corner of the Muslim world, but one which merits the attention of all anthropoligists of Islam." —Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute

Book review: Ramayana Stories in Modern South India

"On the surface ... it might appear challenging for an anthology of Ramayana Stories in Modern South India to tell us something new about the epic. This is, however, precisely what Paula Richman has been able to do through this lively and engaging volume. ... The translations ... are lucid and of consistently high quality. ... The utility of this book for active undergraduate learning cannot be overstated." —H-Asia

Tune in to an interview with Bruce Ledewitz

Bruce Ledewitz, author of Church, State, and the Crisis in American Secularism, will be interviewed about his book on Culture Shocks. The program airs this Thursday, July 21 at 4 p.m. (EDT). Visit Culture Shocks' website to find stations that air the program or to listen online.

Book review: Catholic Women of Congo-Brazzaville

"[An] inspiring study ... Martin demonstrates again that she is a master at combining in-depth grass-roots histories with clear and provocative discussions of the theoretical literature." —African Studies Review

Bruce Ledewitz to conduct workshop at annual conference

Bruce Ledewitz, author of Church, State, and the Crisis in American Secularism, will conduct a workshop on Sunday, June 19, at the annual conference of The Institute on Religion in an Age of Science. The topic of the workshop is, "What Kind of Establishment Clause is Appropriate for Religion in an Age of Science?" The conference runs from June 18-25, and will take place at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY. The theme for this year's conference is "Doing Good, Doing Bad, Doing Nothing: Scientific and Religious Perspectives." For more information, visit the conference website.