Having read several similar titles I would say that this highly readable book is perhaps the best I have come across. Flood brings the important strands together in easily manageable chapters, and includes much imortant recent scholarship. To link this book or its author to an orientalist agenda (as an earlier reviewer appears to) is frankly ridiculous.
Floods writing is very dry, but he certainly knows what he is talking about. This book is not so much an introduction for people looking to learn something new, but a great reference for those hoping to learn more.
"An Intriduction to Hinduism" is an excellent book for a beginning student of that religion. It is up to date and covers all the major topics with as much depth as any introductory work to such a huge subject could be expected to. It is highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the subject, although it is, or course, only the beginning of the available material about Hinduism.
