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Title: A Short History of Buddhism by Edward Conze ISBN: 1-85168-066-7 Publisher: Natl Book Network Pub. Date: 01 October, 1993 Format: Paperback List Price(USD): $13.95

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Average Customer Rating: 4 (1 review)

Rating: 4
Summary: Best Book for Understanding Buddhism in a Hurry
Comment: Conze has not been dethroned as foremost authority on the history of Buddhism, and this book is a good starting point for any study in Buddhism, Buddhist art, or general Asian Studies.

This readable, meaty, short book will clue you in on who Gautama was, but concentrate mainly on how his teachings have spawned several types of Buddhism, mainly the three catagories of Tantric, Mahayana, and Theravada Buddhism. But many small schisms are mentioned, making it a rather complete history of the religion for such a small book. Geographical and scholarly paths are generally traced, showing a good overview of this religion's spread. It's well organized and a good read.

My only dislike is that not enough text is dedicated to an exploration of the life of Gautama (Conze gives about 2 pages only), including his many attempts at enlightenment and the final long confrontation of all his past lives. Possibly this omission is made so as not to bring in too much religious doctrine (this is, after all, a history OF the religion), but I found the lack of coverage annoying and puzzling.