Each chapter of this volume examines a different aspect of religion in contemporary mainland China with brief references to the greater Chinese world (in particular Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore). The volume is designed for a general reader and delivers concise overviews of various topics in a well‐conceived grouping of four parts. The first part examines the varieties of religious life found in cities (namely, Shenzhen), rural areas (in southeast China), and among four ethnic minorities (Naxi Dongbas, Tibetan Buddhists, Uyghur Muslims, and Miao Christians). Part 2 explores how Chinese religion relates to the body (qigong), gender, the environment, and civil society/philanthropy. Part 3 surveys the relationship between religion and politics, society, and the economy. Part 4 is one chapter examining the globalization of Chinese religion. Although there is much interesting material about contemporary developments, the book's “overview” approach, designed for the general reader (rather than the specialist), does not leave room for nuance of analytical points or explication of research methods and sources. In addition, the introductory and concluding chapters add little of substance to the volume, no Chinese characters are used, only two chapters list more than one Chinese language source, and there is no bibliography, only a suggested reading list of English language materials designed for a nonspecialist readership. Despite these drawbacks, the book is a valuable collection of social scientific studies of religion in contemporary China with many fascinating snapshots of religious life that will interest students and scholars of religion in contemporary Asia.
