This is a masterly synthesis of the philosophical and religious doctrines, rituals and culture of Hindu civilization.

Apart from that, it clarifies some misunderstandings relating to Oriental doctrines, such as the idea of reincarnation and transmigration.

Highly recommended to students of philosophy, religion and Oriental art and culture. The general reader will also benefit from the clear insights of this short and concise introduction to Hinduism.

Stoddart has beaten all records by writing a completely unsummarizable book: It is as concise an overview of the vast subject of Hinduism as could possibly be conceived of, providing tenderfeet with a quick but reliable introduction to the hindu pantheon, spiritual ways, scriptures and metaphysics, while coming in very handy for "false beginners" who wish to refresh their memory and to orientalists who feel the need for drawing clearer lines between Orientalism and Hinduism as such.

The book in considerable part conveys the notions expressed in Frithjof Schuon's unsurpassable writings concerning metaphysics and comparative religion, but the clear-cut, delightfully didactic style is Stoddart's own, and so are the initial chapters on the nature of religion, orthodoxy and the classification of religions (in spiritual and religious matters - it should be added in passing - reproducing truths as adequately expressed by others has nothing to do with lack of originality).

Only in the chapter on transmigration versus reincarnation does Stoddart stray from his serene path of succinct teachings, as if dealing with a more personal issue. The complexity of the problematic of "the reincarnationism of renegade Christian pseudo-esoterists" is a bit oversimplified and so I suppose there will be readers whose doubts (or beliefs) remain unanswered. This, however, does not detract from the value of the book.

Stoddart's book on Sufism, also a very concise and enriching piece of work, is another highly recommendable item for anyone's private collection of spiritual literature.