"On the whole, it indeed provides a thorough, informative account of religious thought and practice throughout Chinese dynastic history." ( Religious Studies Review , 7 December 2015) "While different conceptualizations of the "critical terms" are certainly possible, this is a substantive volume that should benefit many readers." ( Religious Studies Review , 7 March 2013) "Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers." ( Choice , 1 November 2012) ?This book is what teachers and students of Chinese religions have been waiting for. Divided into three parts: historical survey, the traditions and critical terms for the study of Chinese religions, it represents a most comprehensive and at the same time cutting edge scholarship on this subject. Whether one uses it as the primary textbook or together with an anthology of primary sources, this volume will prove to be an indispensable companion'. ? Chün-fang Yü, Columbia University ?The finest ?companions? to a particular field of scholarship come along at those transitional moments in academic history when younger scholars are taking over from previous generations and in so doing they both take the best from the past and move forward in creative new ways.

I am happy to report that Randall Nadeau's edited volume on Chinese religions is very much an exceptional example of this principle. This is a work ? and indeed a very knowledgeable, methodologically pioneering, and even friendly companion ? that provides crucial guidance for understanding China's religious past and present .' ? Norman Girardot, Lehigh University.