Books : The World's Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions
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by: Huston Smith
List Price: $16.95Amazon.com's Price: $11.53 You Save: $5.42 (32%)Prices subject to change. Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 291
EAN: 9780062508119
ISBN: 0062508113
Label: HarperOne
Manufacturer: HarperOne
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 399
Publication Date: September 13, 1991
Publisher: HarperOne
Release Date: August 16, 1991
Sales Rank: 400
Studio: HarperOne
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Originally titled The Religions of Man, this completely revised and updated edition of Smith's masterpiece, now with an engaging new foreword, explores the essential elements and teachings of the world's predominant faiths, including:
- Hinduism,
- Buddhism,
- Confucianism,
- Taoism,
- Islam,
- Judaism,
- Christianity,
- and the native traditions of the Americas, Australia, Africa, and Oceania.
Emphasizing the inner -- rather than institutional -- dimensions of these religions, Smith devotes special attention to Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, Sufism, and the teachings of Jesus. He convincingly conveys the unique appeal and gifts of each of the traditions and reveals their hold on the human heart and imagination.
Amazon.com:
The World's Religions, by Huston Smith, has been a standard introduction to its eponymous subject since its first publication in 1958. Smith writes humbly, forswearing judgment on the validity of world religions. His introduction asks, 'How does it all sound from above? Like bedlam, or do the strains blend in strange, ethereal harmony? ... We cannot know. All we can do is try to listen carefully and with full attention to each voice in turn as it addresses the divine. Such listening defines the purpose of this book.' His criteria for inclusion and analysis of religions in this book are 'relevance to the modern mind' and 'universality,' and his interest in each religion is more concerned with its principles than its context. Therefore, he avoids cataloging the horrors and crimes of which religions have been accused, and he attempts to show each 'at their best.' Yet The World's Religions is no pollyannaish romp: 'It is about religion alive,' Huston writes. 'It calls the soul to the highest adventure it can undertake, a proposed journey across the jungles, peaks, and deserts of the human spirit. The call is to confront reality.' And by translating the voices of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Confucianism, Christianity, and Judaism, among others, Smith has amplified the divine call for generations of readers. --Michael Joseph Gross
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Had to get it for class, but...
I ordered this book for an ethics class I'm taking, but so far it's an excellent read! The chapters are informative and easy to read - definitely something I would enjoy away from class.
Rating: - A great book
A wide spectrum of analogy and comparative findings.
The study of the origins and development of religions throughout the centuries is quite impressive.
Well researched.
Recommended to all those who are interested in the history of religions, and their social influences on various communities.
Rating: - A nice overview of the major religions
One of the hot-button subjects in both the world and the United States - and maybe even the biggest - is religion. When we get U.S. generals declaring that Islam worships some sort of strange, alien god or gods, it shows not only bigotry but ignorance as well. Perhaps it would help to read a book like Huston Smith's The World's Religions to get insights into other faiths.
What The World's Religions isn't is around as important as what it is. It isn't a comprehensive look at all the ... Read More
Rating: - Great book for general knowledge of religions
This book is great if you are looking for knowledge on several major religions. It offers history, origins, comparisons, and numerous other aspects of each religion. I feel personally that I now have a greater understanding of questions I previously had. Even though I consider myself a Christian, I have new found respect for those who are not. Another great point is that I noticed no personal bias of the author. I really like this book, yet I only give it 4 stars due to the style of writing. There ... Read More
Rating: - The World's Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions
I purchased this book on behalf of a friend who is thrilled with it.
I have not read the book.
Sincerely,
George J. McClelland
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