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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
Like many of the Oxford "Very Short Introductions" books, this is no different.
While it gives a basic overview of some of the more spiritual aspects of Sikhism, the book is mostly composed of history, major historic events and markers in Sikh history, and the like. The chapters on the Three most influential Gurus offers great insight.
While it gives a basic overview of some of the more spiritual aspects of Sikhism, the book is mostly composed of history, major historic events and markers in Sikh history, and the like. The chapters on the Three most influential Gurus offers great insight.
informative
reflective
fast-paced
It was quite informative about something I didn’t know a lot about. A bit too focused on the current political and cultural context rather than what the believers really believe.
This book has clearly, even though this whole topic is complicated, laid down a foundation for my understanding of this subject. As a westerner, who did not have a clue about this religion, except the fact that it existed, I have learned a great deal about Sikhism, including it's history, practices, diaspora, and contemporary existance in scope of today's world religions.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking to start learning about this subject.
I have given 3 stars purely for the fact that the vocabulary was a bit hard for me, a non-native English speaker, and the fact that it was too much information for a subject, and no reasoning as to why, but then again I guess there is no space for such explanations in such a small amount of pages.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking to start learning about this subject.
I have given 3 stars purely for the fact that the vocabulary was a bit hard for me, a non-native English speaker, and the fact that it was too much information for a subject, and no reasoning as to why, but then again I guess there is no space for such explanations in such a small amount of pages.
3.5 Stars
These "very short introductions" are perfect to read to get an overview of a topic, and Sikhism is no exception. It was a bit more difficult to listen to than it would have been to read, but I also felt like some of the order could have been clearer. It definitely added to my understanding of Sikhism, however, and I am glad I listened to it!
These "very short introductions" are perfect to read to get an overview of a topic, and Sikhism is no exception. It was a bit more difficult to listen to than it would have been to read, but I also felt like some of the order could have been clearer. It definitely added to my understanding of Sikhism, however, and I am glad I listened to it!
A good overview on the basics of Shikism and its history. I would have liked more on the actual beliefs and practices as opposed to the politics, but it was still very interesting. This was published in 2005, so I'm not sure how the author would have addressed the recent assassination of a Sikh separatist by India.
challenging
informative
fast-paced
informative
medium-paced
informative
fast-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Ahh yes, another post-structuralist attempt at deconstructing a religion which posits the absoluteness of truth and its primacy in human life. Nesbitt takes over from where the notorious McLeod left off after being caught red-handed fabricating evidence to back up his fallacious claims on the field of Sikh studies. The entire book is narrated in a monotone voice with Nesbitt resorting to her tried and tested tactic of throwing in the occasional line of hyped-up academic jargon where she fails to make a convincing argument (the whole book is full of this failure sadly) and otherwise dismissing the lived experience of Sikhs themselves. An insult to the Sikh faith and the impartial academics studying it. This would make the Victorian orientalists of yesteryear proud and that should indicate to you how far removed from reality this book is.