What are some good books to get introduced to Buddhism?

I'm interested in learning more about Buddhism. So, two things are necessary:


a) I'd prefer it to be secular and academic rather than "preachy"


b) I'd like to be an informative summary, but accessible enough for someone unfamiliar with the religion





Thank you.|||Here are some books that aided me along my path. I would consider them the foundation of my buddhist library.








Introductory Buddhism





1. What The Buddha Taught - classic book introducing people to buddhism since 1959


http://www.amazon.com/What-Buddha-Taught鈥?/a>





2. The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching - more in depth explanations of fundamental buddhist teachings


http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Buddhas-Teac鈥?/a>








Meditation %26amp; Mindfulness





1. Beginning Mindfulness - ten week course that helps develop the daily practice of mindfulness and meditation.


http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Mindfuln鈥?/a>





2. Mindfulness in Plain English - the beginners meditation manual. A must have for any meditator.


http://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Plain-鈥?/a>


(online free version) http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma4/mpe.鈥?/a>





3. Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness - sequel to the above book. Helps one learn and incorporate the eightfold path into daily life.


http://www.amazon.com/Eight-Mindful-Step鈥?/a>








Buddhist Texts





1. The Dhammapada - most widely read Buddhist scripture; Fronsdal's translation is a very enjoyable read. http://www.amazon.com/Dhammapada-Transla鈥?/a>





2. Transformation and Healing. Sutra on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness - fundamental buddhist sutra with commentary by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. This book is one that changed my life and guided me into buddhist practice.


http://www.amazon.com/Transformation-Hea鈥?/a>





3. In the Buddha's Words. An Anthology of Discourses from the Pail Canon - collection of buddhist sutras organized for easy reference. http://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anth鈥?/a>








Hope this can be of some assistance. I wish you much success along your journey :)|||There are, of course, hundreds of introductory books on Buddhism. Unfortunately, most of them are either sectarian, or written by enthusiasts/scholars, rather than by teachers.





For this reason, I almost always recommend "It's Easier Than You Think" by Sylvia Boorstein.





This short book has several virtues:


- It introduces the foundations of Buddhism without jargon or sectarian bias


- It's warm, witty, and wise, as befits a senior Buddhist teacher


- It focuses on how Buddhist teaching applies in everyday, modern life





Here's the link:


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H2MEGY?tag鈥?/a>





If you read this book and are still interested in learning more, then an excellent next step would be to visit a Buddhist center near you and get instruction on Buddhist practice. When you do that, then you follow in the footsteps of the Buddha. Here's a list of centers around the world:


http://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/





Best wishes in your re(search)!|||The Gospel of Buddha by Paul Carus. You can buy the book. You can also read it on-line: http://www.mountainman.com.au/buddha/





Also, another books published and put available on-line: http://www.vipassanadhura.com/dhammatalk鈥?/a>





Reflection on a Mountain Lake by Ani Tenzin Palmo.


A Cave in Snow by Vicky Mackenzie





Other online sites about Buddhism:


http://dhammafriends.net/Sub%20pages/Dha鈥?/a>


http://www.buddhanet.net./e-learning/ind鈥?/a>


http://www.tara.org/jetsunma-ahkon-lhamo鈥?/a>


http://www.thubtenchodron.org/ForThoseNe鈥?/a>


http://www.bswa.org/modules/mydownloads/鈥?/a>


http://www.bswa.org/


http://tenzinpalmo.com/index.php?option=鈥?/a>


http://www.jhanagrove.org.au/content/vie鈥?/a>