This book brings together 19 pieces written between 1957 and 1989. Huston Smith is widely acknowledged as the foremost expert on the world's religions. Editor Bryant begins with an excellent overview of his intellectual journey and his abiding interest in the spiritual experiences of humankind. One of the best essays in this spirited collection is "Accents of the World's Religions" where Smith assesses the emphasis upon nature wisdom in the West, social ethics in China, and psychological insight in India. He is equally cogent in "Tao Now: An Ecological Testament." Other themes explored in this paperback include ecumenism, scientism, the impact of postmodernism on religion, and the structural similarities underlying the surface diversity of the world's religions.