Beliefs That Changed the World: The History and Ideas of the Great Religions

By John Bowker

Book Overview

Religious beliefs have shaped the history of the world. Their effect can be seen in culture, philosophy and politics, and they have inspired people to serve others and to create great works of art, architecture and music. Yet differences in belief can cause bloodshed and war. Never before has it been more urgent to understand the great religions if we are to make sense of our 21st century world, its achievements and its conflicts.

This new, revised edition of Beliefs That Changed the World tells the story of the major faiths from their earliest beginnings to their present day impact.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1848669003
• ISBN13: 9781848669000
• Release Date: August 2015
• Publisher: Quercus Publishing
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.0" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Not Brilliant & Not The Best

On page 18 the author says Karl Marx should have scolded Stalin. But Stalin would have been a child at most at in time of Marx's death. Other comments like this, trying to give the content current context. Also the use of different font sizes helps nothing. Not brilliant nor the best book for getting acquainted with world religions. Probably sticking with the classic Smith book until I find better. There is no bibliography, which truly makes this Not A Scholarly work.

total agreement with reviewer #1

I'm only a quarter of the way through this book I received as a gift. I came to see whether reviewers were as astounded as I am by the brilliance and clarity of Bowker's summarizations of the histories of major religions. When I found that only one other person had reviewed the book I felt horrified to realize that hardly anyone is interested in reading such clarifications. Or maybe most all are so bound to their own religious choice that the author's obvious respect for many religions made them 1. stop reading it or 2. dislike it so much they wanted to write a mean-spirited review and decided against it. I think if enough people read this book it could change the world in a way that doesn't foster wars. Wouldn't THAT be nice!

best of its type I've read

I'm half way through this, and already recommend it as one of the best history of religions or beliefs books I've read. The closest is Huston Smith's classic, and I believe this is superior. Most summary books about any one religion is hundreds of pages long and filled with information that helps one to understand the intracies of that particular religion. After wading through hundreds of pages, I can't even figure out why I started reading the book to begin with and also frequently lose the big picture. This is a big perspective book that describes the history of beliefs. It has almost everything a person needs to know to capture the big picture on how most nations and religions come to believe what they believe religiously and philosophically. With this one book, I believe it is possible to then go into the details in any one religion or belief system using other books. It's also an illustrated book. One then wonders how is it possible to attain a good big picture with such a small book that even has illustrations? The author writes very tight and covers the major historical points of the particular religion or philosophy. Best book on beliefs I've ever read, and probably the best on history of religions.