Books

Abstract

This issue’s book review segment features three insightful evaluations, each engaging with recent scholarly contributions to Vaishnava thought and practice.

1. Fred Smith reviews The Hare Krishna Movement: The Postcharismatic Fate of a Religious Transplant, edited by Edwin F. Bryant and Maria Ekstrand. Smith praises the volume's breadth and honesty, highlighting how ISKCON scholars and insiders address the movement’s transformation following the passing of its charismatic founder, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda. The volume is recognized for its candid portrayal of theological tensions, institutional crises, evolving gender roles, and the tension between reform and tradition.

2. Lakshmi Nrisimha Das offers a second review of the same volume from the perspective of a long-time ISKCON practitioner. He complements the academic analysis by emphasizing the devotional implications of the movement’s challenges and spiritual resilience, giving voice to the lived experience of devotees. Together, these two reviews present both scholarly and insider viewpoints on the same text, showcasing the dialogical ethos of the journal.

3. David Buchta reviews Neal Delmonico’s First Steps in Vedānta, which introduces readers to foundational concepts through translations and commentary on the writings of Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa, a key Gauḍīya Vedānta thinker. Buchta acknowledges Delmonico’s careful philological work and accessibility, while also pointing out areas where interpretive choices might merit further discussion. The review underscores the book’s value in making classical Vedānta approachable for contemporary readers.