Holy People of the World: A Cross-Cultural Encyclopedia [3 Volumes]

Marc Notes:
Includes bibliographical references and index.;v. 1.Entries A to G -- v. 2. Entries H to P -- v. 3. Entries Q to Z.

Biographical Note:

Phyllis G. Jestice, PhD, is associate professor of history at the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS. Her published works include ABC-CLIO's Encyclopedia of Irish Spirituality.

A cross-cultural encyclopedia of the most significant holy people in history, examining why people in a wide range of religious traditions throughout the world have been regarded as divinely inspired.
The first reference on the subject to span all the world's major religions, Holy People of the World: A Cross-Cultural Encyclopedia examines the impact of individuals who, through personal charisma and inspirational deeds, served both as glorious examples of human potential and as envoys for the divine.

Holy People of the World contains nearly 1,100 biographical sketches of venerated men and women. Written by religious studies experts and historians, each article focuses on the basic question: How did this person come to be regarded as holy? In addition, the encyclopedia features 20 survey articles on views of holy people in the major religious traditions such as Islam, Buddhism, and African religions, as well as 64 comparative articles on aspects of holiness and veneration across cultures such as awakening and conversion experiences, heredity, gender, asceticism, and persecution. Whether exploring by religion, culture, or historic period, this extensively cross-referenced resource offers a wealth of insights into one of the most revealing--and least explored--common denominators of spiritual traditions.

• Approximately 1,200 entries including biographical sketches of holy men and women, plus 20 overview articles and 64 comparative essays
• 270 contributors include scholars from 20 countries--all leading authorities on the individuals and religions they write about
• Hundreds of historical photographs, illustrations, and paintings depicting holy men and women
• End-of entry bibliographic citations to guide readers to further sources on each topic
• Exhaustive subject index
• Rich cross-referencing structure that aids navigation among related entries

"Nothing matches this work's coverage of women, people of color, and the breadth of world cultures."

Library Journal

"'Holy People of the World is truly a multicultural and diverse reference work . . . highly recommended for academic and public libraries."

MultiCultural Review

Review Citations:

• Choice 06/01/2005 pg. 1792 (EAN 9781576073551, Hardcover)
• Multicultural Review 09/01/2005 pg. 97 (EAN 9781576073551, Hardcover)
• Library Journal 03/15/2005 pg. 114 (EAN 9781576073551, Hardcover)
• Booklist 04/01/2005 pg. 1402 (EAN 9781576073551, Hardcover)
• American Reference Bks Annual 01/01/2006 pg. 565 (EAN 9781576073551, Hardcover)
• Wilson Nonfiction Catalog 04/11/2019 (EAN 9781576073551, Hardcover)
• Wilson Senior High Catalog 04/11/2019 (EAN 9781576073551, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:Jestice, Phyllis G

Phyllis G. Jestice, PhD, is associate professor of history at the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS. Her published works include ABC-CLIO's Encyclopedia of Irish Spirituality.