This selection focuses on books for teachers and for student research. A more comprehensive list (with ISBNs) features on the CD-Rom within the Heart of Hinduism Resource Pack.
Academic Books (especially for secondary RE teachers and Libraries)
- Hinduism – A Short Introduction by Klaus. K. Klostermaier (Oneworld, Oxford)
- A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism by Klaus. K. Klostermaier (Oneworld, Oxford)
These books are academically sound and very readable. Klostermaier writes with an unusual combination of sympathetic insight and intellectual rigour. There are further books in the same series.
- A Very Short Introduction to Hinduism by Kim Knott (Oxford University Press). A succinct and accessible introduction to the tradition.
Faith Books (for Libraries)
- The Mahabharata and The Ramayana by Krishna Dharma (Torchlight, Badger CA, USA).
Krishna Dharma's brisk-moving style transforms the Hindu Epics into an easy but absorbing read, without losing their original spirit. For schools, the best translations available.
- A Tale of Gods and Demons by Sharma and Prime (Mandala Publishing, San Rafael, CA). A beautiful book, conveying the dignity of the tradition through a retelling of the Ramayana.
- Panchatantra retold by Krishna Dharma (Torchlight, Badger CA, USA).
A very accessible rendering of these famous stories from the Panchatantra.
- Bhagavad-Gita As It Is by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (BBT, Los Angeles). An easy to understand version from one of the leading bhakti traditions.
- Creation from the Bhagavat Purana by Ananta Shakti (publication, Autumn 2003).
Promises to be the best book around on Hindu creation. Over 24 full colour illustrations. Written for 8–12 year olds, and highly suitable for to Key Stages 2 and 3.
- Meeting Hindus edited by Gwyneth Little (Christians Aware, Leicester). Includes much ethnographical-type material from Hindus themselves. Particularly useful as research material.
Teacher's and Student's Books
- Beliefs, Values & Traditions by Anne Lovelace and Joy White (Heinemann, Oxford).
An accessible and interesting pupils' book, dealing with Hinduism's relevance to the contemporary world.
- Teach Yourself World Faiths – Hinduism by V.P. Kanitkar and W. Owen Cole (Hodder Headline, London).
Kanitkars books are informative and contain many first hand accounts. Cole is a reputable author.
- The Hindu Priest by Rasamandala Das (Franklin-Watts).
A very personal way into the tradition for Key Stage 1.
- Hindu Stories by Anita Ganeri (Evans Brothers). Stories Suitable to Key Stage 2. From a writer experienced in the Hindu tradition.
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism by Linda Johnsen (Alpha, Indianapolis). Loads of information, presented in a mood and manner accessible to most Westerners.
Auxiliary Books (to supplement the Heart of Hinduism)
There are two books that we highly recommend (and supply) to complement the Heart of Hinduism Teachers Pack. The first includes many recommended stories, and the second covers the topic of moral issues.
- Vedic Stories from Ancient India by Ananta Shakti (Ahimsa books, Borehamwood, UK). A very popular anthology of stories, many with moral themes. Especially suitable for Key Stages 3 and 4.
- Moral Issues in Hinduism by Rasamandala Das (publication date, September 2003). In the same style as this book, this promises to be one of the best studies of the subject.