Books by David Chidester

Examines the emergence of the concepts of "religion"and "religions" on colonial frontiers. The book offers an analysis of the ways in which European travellers, missionaries, settlers, and government agents, as well as indigenous Africans, engaged in the comparison of alternative religious ways of life as one dimension of intercultural contact.

This guide offers detailed reviews of over 600 works that have established the importance of Christianity in South African history, society, and religious experience. It should be of interest to scholars and students of religious studies, cultural anthropology, African Studies and history.

This is a guide to three global religions that have established strong local communities in South Africa. The guide begins with a general introduction to the immigrant origins, minority status and global connections of each tradition.

Provides a counterhistory of the academic study of religion, an alternative to standard accounts that have failed to link the field of comparative religion with either the power relations or the historical contingencies of the imperial project.

Examines the effects of a range of global forces on local forms of identity, coherence, and cohesion. With contributions from intellectuals from business, organised labour, community organisations, government structures and academics, this book is useful for those interested in the wide-ranging effects of globalisation on South Africa.

A monumental new history of Christianity from its beginnings as a persecuted cult, up to its present day international diversity. 'A model of condensation without simplification' - J.M Coetzee 'Clear and balanced. A triumph of compression... invaluable as a work of reference for students' - Karen Armstrong, Times 'A new and ambitious concept in presenting Christian history...a triumph. Never before, I suspect, has this cavalcade of thinkers been presented in a manner which so successfully combines depth, breadth, and succinctness' - Gerard Noel, Catholic Herald

Features a prologue that considers the meaning of the tragedy for a post-Waco, post-9/11 world. This book recalls the American religious commitment to redemptive sacrifice, which for Jim Jones meant saving his followers from the evils of capitalist society.