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Title: an apology for Cao Dai
Review: This book is a nearly-proselytizing apology for the Cao Dai religion, popular in southern Vietnam. Cao Dai is a fascinating religion, and this is one evidence of it. It includes a conversation between the spirit of Victor Hugo and a Cao Dai leader in 1930, illustrations of symbolic hand gestures and other symbols, common prayers and vows, and Hum Dac Bui's presentation of Cao Dai philosophy. In short, it is an incredible primary source. But if you want an outside perspective, look elsewhere. I've heard that Victor Oliver's book "Caodai Spiritism" is good, but I haven't read it. Joyce Werner's "Peasant Politics and Religious Sectarianism" is a Yale doctoral thesis, an account of the spread and popularity of Cao Dai. Graham Greene considered converting to Cao Dai but became disillusioned; he gives his interesting, humorous perspective in "The Quiet American," which I recommend for literary reasons as well.
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