Shinto by Paula Hartz NY: Facts on Files, 1997
128 pages, large format, illustrated. ISBN: 0816035776 $30 
This is a general overview which covers the origins, beliefs, rituals, festivals, and place of Shinto in Japanese society. It is intended as a school or library reference book. There is a good mythological
section which illumines the Shinto view of the universe and a substantial list of important kami. There is also a clear overview of the early development and Chinese influences. You could say there is an overemphasis on history for it fails to address current concerns or take account of modern secularism. Consequently it overplays the role of Shinto in the lives of modern Japanese. Perhaps this is because the author is a teacher/textbook writer, unfamiliar with modern Japan. In the same series on World History, she has also written on Taoism, Zaroastrianism, Bahai and Native American Religions.
Summary: Admirably clear and informative overview for those wishing to understand the different facets of Shinto.
Shinto by C. Scott Littleton US: OUP, 2002
108 pages, small size, illustrated. ISBN: 0195218868 Used from $9.00
This brief overview is by a professor of anthropology at Occidental College, Los Angeles, who has also written on Eastern religions and mythology. It is easy to follow and easy to reference, though
repetitious in places and sketchy in others. Personally I found too much about Buddhism (presumably one of Littleton’s specialities) and the coverage is often idiosyncratic. In such a short work one wonders why so much space is warranted on the Seven Lucky Gods and Miki Nakayama, the founder of Tenri-kyo, and what on earth are Soka Gakkai and Aum Shinrikyo doing in there? The organisation could certainly be better, and there are lapses that make one wonder if the author really has any expertise in the subject. All emperors since the ninth century
have not been male, nor is the sakaki ‘a pine’ (it is cleyera japonica, an evergreen bushy shrub).
Summary: Not recommended for anyone but the most casual of readers.
That may explain why the book is out of print after only three years.
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