Jonathan Z. Smith (1938-2017) was perhaps the most influential theorist of religion of the last half century. In this book, four interviews and a previously unpublished essay display something of the dynamic, thinking-on-his feet liveliness that Smith brought to questions about the study of religion, his theoretical preferences, and his methods of teaching.
I have read everything and anything Jonathan Z. Smith wrote during his long and fruitful academic career. The sheer range of materials is staggering. But J.Z. Smith is infinitely better 'in his own words' and this volume is such a wonderful window into just that-not just Smith but Smith on Smith! Nothing could be better, either for one who has never read Smith and will be inspired to do so, or one who has followed him deeply over many decades and can now pause and listen as he relates the various stages of his own unfolding as a human being and a scholar. We owe the editors a debt of gratitude. A must have for anyone who works in the history of religions-or just Humanities for that matter!
