This book is a thorough, scholarly, and yet readable historical overview of reincarnation, including a detailed account of reincarnation in Christianity with references. This is the best scholarly work I've found to date on the subject. If you plan on writing, teaching, or even discussing the subject with anyone, this is an excellent guide to have at your disposal. If you want to understand reincarnation in a historical context, especially as regards the West, this book will give you the foundation you need.