Robert Stockman is a well-known Baha'i who has served in Baha'i institutions in the United States for many years. In this book he provides a useful introduction to this religion from an insider's position; at the same time, Stockman is also dedicated to taking a scholarly approach. In this way the book can be recommended both to an audience that wants to get first-hand information about the faith as well as to more experienced readers who want to gain new insights into this religion.

Manfred Hutter, University of Bonn, Germany, Religion

Robert Stockman has written an introduction to the Bahá'í Faith that is both thorough and accessible. He is not afraid to tackle difficult and controversial subjects and, although there is a wide range of views about most subjects among Bahá'ís, he appears to have captured well the majority view. There is particularly good coverage of the history of the Bahá'í Faith.

Moojan Momen, Author and researcher on the Bahá'í Faith and Islam

Getting clear and balanced perspectives on new religious movements is notoriously difficult, but in this account of the Bahá'í Faith, Robert H. Stockman has produced a smart, balanced and well-crafted overview of Bahá'í theology and history.Stockman has the sensitivity of an insider and the objectivity of a scholar.In this book Stockman draws on a remarkable range of specialized scholarly sources and his own extensive research and communicates all of it in an engaging and well-written book accessible to a wide audience.

Christopher White, Associate Professor of Religion in America at Vassar College, USA