VJ, i saw this book in the library, i read a few pages and returned it. The author's aim seems to be to expose biased opinions of American academic scholars particularly older ones of Hinduism. In that process she has gathered a few essays written in the past and compiled them together (I didnt read the whole book just a few pages but that is what it seemed). To my mind - anything is as important as it is made out to be. Just like EVR and his followers attempted to correct problems with casteism and religion with virulent attacks, collecting all the negative material only generates more discussion in unwanted areas but leaves the real issues as is.
I dont recommend anyone to read this unless you are willing to set all your sensitivities aside or want a heavy dose of colonial thoughts on Hinduism.