Ian Reader


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Ian Reader is head of the East Asian Studies department, and a Professor of Japanese Studies at the University of Manchester.  His main areas of research include pilgrimage in historical and contemporary contexts,  contemporary religious dynamics and popular religious practices in Japan, media and religion, and  religion, violence and terrorism.

Ian Reader is head of the East Asian Studies department, and a Professor of Japanese Studies at the University of Manchester.  His main areas of research include pilgrimage in historical and contemporary contexts,  contemporary religious dynamics and popular religious practices in Japan, media and religion, and  religion, violence and terrorism.

Books by this author

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A Poisonous Cocktail?

Aum Shinrikyo’s Path to Violence

This highly acclaimed study describes Aum Shinrikyo’s history, examines the various conflicts it was involved in, and discusses the contents of Asahara’s sermons and prophecies. Reader suggests that the Aum case is not unique but similar to other cases of religious violence.