Gr 9 Up-Although these volumes offer general introductions to their respective worldwide faith traditions, their perspective is decidedly American. The 20-odd color photos in each title are appealing, but women are visually underrepresented. (In Protestantism, a section on the ordination of women includes a photo of a male cleric instructing girls.) A typo in a quote from Martin Luther inverts its meaning and the author asserts that indulgences granted absolution, a serious misrepresentation. Despite lively writing and a generous font size, there are many unbroken pages of theological distinctions requiring intellectual stamina. Even the glossary entries are long and abstract. Roman Catholicism mangles "Camaldolese" in the dedication, blames the Jews for the death of Jesus, and omits the Crusades' massacres and pillage. Limbo is still described as a part of Catholic belief; its elimination by papal decree in 2005 is unacknowledged. A page on the Shroud of Turin champions its authenticity. Eastern Orthodoxy mysteriously gets seven pages of coverage (unheralded on the cover or title page). Judaism is full of engaging stories and descriptions of traditions, naturally focusing on practice, and using anecdote even to explain theology. It is the most engaging volume of the three. All of them assume an advanced readership. Broad, unbroken pages of text, with few subheads and no sidebars, are disheartening. Among the plethora of reference sources available, these titles are not standouts.-Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.