Book Review Draft –

Preface
Ann Taves developed an effective, well laid out preface, setting up the information and
research findings of the rest of the book. She outlines the main focus of the book as providing
insight on the ways in which resources of the humanities can enhance experimental research. The
emphasis placed on “experiences deemed religious” allows readers to understand the context in
which experiences are studied and allows exploration of experiences on multiple levels across a
range from interpersonal to intergroup ( I like how you included the range saying “interpersonal
to intergroup” I find that adding a detail like that is important in helping the reader to understand
exactly what is going to be discusses). Overall, (I would suggest using a different word to start
the sentence or maybe removing it completely and staring it with “Ann Taves’ preface is
efficient… and continue on with your sentence) the preface is efficient in providing the reader
with information on not only the knowledge to be gained from the book, but also the context in
which this information was procured. These aspects of the preface tie into the following chapters
creating an informative read that challenges the current ways of researching.
Introduction – The Problem of “Religious Experience”
Taves’ introduction acts as a bridge between the preface and first chapter. She explores
the historical methods and strategies adopted by scholars in the past, giving the reader a broader
understanding of how far research has come. This allows readers to understand why changes to
methods in studying experience as religious can be beneficial and provide not only different
insight, but more insight as well. This addition of the critiques of previous methods (here you
might consider giving an example from the text itself) aids in proving her thesis, that using
resources of the humanities can benefit the study of experience, by demonstrating the flaws as
discovered by herself and fellow scholars. Criticism such as labeling religious experience as the
epitome of something unique, as well as limiting the scopes through which we analyze
experience to a first-person view, are mentioned by multiple scholars within the discipline. The
breakdown of the introduction into corresponding segments allows the reader to easily follow the
flow of the book. The layout describes to the reader the value of exploring experiences deemed
religious by explaining the importance of the distinction between simple and composite
formations; followed by the previous work done with said distinctions. Taves explains that
several scholars including Emile Durkheim, James Dewey and Hent de Vreis have built simple
and composite ascriptions through their own research and findings. This supports her thesis in
that this proves she has examined and included work done by other respected scholars as
opposed to proving this research method is effective solely based on her own studies. (you can
consider adding her opinion, or which research method other than her own she finds most
effective)
The section following her explanation of previous work, “The Argument” breaks down
each following chapter. She mentions the first chapter, Religion, as “addressing the question of
how scholars can specify what it is that they want to study without obscuring the contestations
over meaning taking place on the ground” (Taves, 12). (This is a great reference used from the
text!) While I feel this breakdown is helpful, I feel a more beneficial approach would be a more
specific one. The details surrounding what constitutes “special” would be more relevant at the
beginning of chapter one. The addition of these details makes this section harder to follow. (I like
how you added in a critique here. You might want to add why you think the details surrounding
what constitutes special would be more relevant in chapter one not just that it would provide a
more straightforward explanation. What would the value be of addressing “special” in chapter
one?) A more streamlined explanation of what Taves is referring to when using “special”, at the
beginning of the chapter in which it is relevant would provide a more straightforward
explanation of the context from which Taves is speaking.
Overall, (again might suggest removing this word an example of how to change it may be
“Ann Taves’ introduction segment of the book…) the introduction segment of the book provides
readers with the necessary background information of not only Taves’ suggested method but as
well as traditional methods and their criticisms. It is effective in breaking down the points to be
discussed later while outlining the foundation of her thesis.
Chapter 1 – Religion
This chapter as outlined in the introduction begins with a description of both the Sui
Generis and the Ascriptive model of religious experience. Both models are outlined within a
table which clearly states the guiding question and answers for each. Questions such as “should
certain things always be considered religious?” demonstrate to the reader the limitations of the
Sui Generis model. As the answer to this question is different across both models, readers gain
not only an understanding of the mechanisms of each model but go further to realize unrealized
truths. The previously mentioned question as answered by the ascription model details that there
are “diverse views regarding what should ‘count’ as religious, mystical or spiritual.” (Taves 18).
(it may be beneficial for you to not end the sentence with a quote but rather to explain it
afterwards. So in this case you might want to give examples of what Taves’ counts as religious,
mystical or spiritual) Readers can see that there are clear limitations to the Sui Generis model,
supporting Taves’ claim. In short, this chapter outlines the importance of what is means for
something to be religious, or special. It is broken down into segments explaining interpretations
of whether something is special. This chapter is crucial for her argument as this is the center of
the changes made when compared to historical methods. She argues that there is more to labeling
something as religious or special than the traditional set of criteria. She utilizes behaviors,
individuality, and specific markers demonstrated by people. This paragraph is well structured
and includes several key aspects to supporting her thesis. (this last sentence does not quite fit in
well with the rest of your paragraph. I suggest changing it to end off with something more
captivating, wanting the reader to continue reading your review)
Chapter 2 – Experience
The early notes of this section rely heavily on the progress made by other scholars such
as Smart, Forman, Katz, and Proudfoot. She discusses the views of scholars as they align, or
contradict, her thesis. This allows readers to understand her notion as it pertains to the findings of
previous researchers. In order to effectively support her thesis, she utilizes not only views that
support her own but goes further to outline why views that contradict her beliefs are limited.
Taves mentions “how much we include under the heading of experience is probably not
crucial in general discussions as long as our meaning is clear in context” (Taves, 59). This is a
strategy outlined across the entire book. It is important to ensure that readers understand what
certain, flexible terms mean as they relate to Taves’ findings. Her effectiveness in providing
context for terms such as experience, religion, and special ensure the highest possible
understanding for the reader.(this is a great observation. I agree that her terms are very beneficial
in being able to clearly understand what it is that she is talking about) On the surface this chapter
is about experience as a whole. Different levels of consciousness including transitive, intransitive
and first- and higher-order. These explanations allow for further understanding of experience
which can then aid in the explanation of experiences deemed religious, the overall goal of the
book. (you might want to change this too “Which is what Taves’ is trying to convey through the
entire book”)
Chapter 3 – Explanation
Taves explores the Attributional Theory of Religion by describing factors such as event
characteristics, event context, and context of the attributor. This chapter breaks down the
elements from different perspectives aiding the reader in gaining a complete understanding of the
analysis. Within these perspectives she outlines different behaviors; unintended behavior and
intended behavior. A substantial aspect of this chapter is represented in another table (… “which
Taves has throughout her book to help readers clearly understand her thoughts”), outlining
explanations at the different levels of analysis – intrapersonal, interpersonal, intragroup, and
intergroup. This allows readers to have a visual reference to “what explained: even/experience”,
“how explained by author” and “how experience might be explained by researchers”. Taves uses
Barnard’s book in order to give a detailed explanation for the different levels of analysis and how
each is used to explain and analyze experience.
Chapter 4 – Comparison
The last chapter effectively explores the types of comparisons; simple and simple,
composite and composite, and simple and composite. Taves outlines each type of comparison not
only as they stand alone but as they relate together. Each type of comparison provides
researchers with different insight about the experiment. Including these examples allows readers
to understand how each pertains to Taves’ thesis on experiences deemed religious. She also
outlines the perspectives of Emic and Etic observers. These aspects, the types of comparisons
and observers, allow readers to fully understand the origins of Taves’ thesis and how we can
observe experiences in ways that differ from traditional methods. (very well written, you might
want to add an example here of how it differs from traditional methods)
Notes to touch on
- Would be beneficial to outline the goal of humanists in order to demonstrate the
relevance within this field
 - Validity of sources; Forman, Proudfoot

Response:
I think this review, or what I have seen so far was very well written. You used detail but not an
overbearing amount which would give away the entire book to the reader. I enjoyed the
beginnings and middle of each paragraph, but I found that the final sentences used to finish off
your idea did not tie in well together with the rest of the paragraph. I feel that more reference to
the book could be used, as in more direct quotations. I also noticed you don’t have any other
sources except for Taves’ book. As mentioned in the assignment details you are supposed to use
3 other sources. I feel that your work would benefit from more examples and for other sources
you might consider using, a different review of Taves’ book by a scholar, a different book from
Taves, or even artwork and finding a way to relate it to you point. You might want to give more
critiques on Taves’ book or even positive comments depending on what you are trying to argue
as I found it somewhat unclear what your final thoughts on the book were. Other than those
critiques I found your attention to detail anf overall point great!
Well done!