The Routledge Encyclopedia of Taoism

Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2008

'Pregadio assembled an outstanding international team of leading scholars to compose this two-volume set. With a focus on the history and traditions of Taoism, this work effectively challenges romanticized views that reduce the richness of these traditions to the Daode jing (Tao Te Ching) and the Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu). The encyclopedia includes a 196-page overview that could serve as a superb intermediate textbook on Taoism. The rest of the entries are arranged alphabetically, using the pinyin transliteration system. They cover topics of interest to advanced students and experts, including more detailed entries on texts, doctrines, sacred beings and places, the history of Taoism, and religious practices and experiences. The volume includes an excellent topical table of contents and an extensive index. For advanced researchers, the appendixes are gold, offering an extensive bibliography of reference sources, a list of sources in the Taoist canon referenced to the three catalogs of the Daozang, and a 102-page bibliography of scholarly resources including English and French language sources and seminal scholarly works in Chinese and Japanese. Summing Up: Essential. Libraries supporting religious studies or Chinese studies programs; upper-level undergraduates and above.' -- G. J. Reece (American University), Choice

‘The depth of the entries and variety of subjects covered are impressive, creating a must-have reference for anyone interested in Taoism.’-- Christine Pesch (Yale University), Theological Librarianship