Baha'i Faith (World Religions (Facts on File)) - Hardcover

Paula R. Hartz was a teacher and a textbook editor, and specialized in writing nonfiction and educational materials for elementary and secondary school students. She wrote the latest editions of Daoism, Native American Religions, Shinto, and Zoroastrianism, all from Chelsea House's World Religions series.

Grade 6-10-Excellent organization and clear writing are the hallmarks of this text, which is accompanied by functional black-and-white photographs. After an introductory chapter that gives a broad overview of the faith and its founders, Hartz hews to a mostly chronological format, beginning with the Islam from which the religion grew and its essential figures: the Bab, Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha, and Shoghi Effendi. She carefully distinguishes between the original Babi movement and the later Baha'i, principally shaped by Baha'u'llah. The early persecution of the religion in its homeland, Persia, and in countries to which it spread is given due weight, as are the creation of the essential Baha'i scriptures by Baha'u'llah and early power conflicts within the founding families. Later chapters cover the faith's spread around the world; the particulars of worship; service and belief; and the adherents' goal of worldwide unity, peace, and equality. Sprinkled throughout the book, both within the central text and in sidebars, are excerpts from Baha'i scripture. Sources of the quotations are carefully noted. This book will be especially useful for schools in which world religions are taught or in any library in which religion is a popular topic.
Coop Renner, Blackshear Elementary School, Austin, TX
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.