Originally titled The Religions of Man, this completely revised and updated edition of Smith′s masterpiece, now with an engaging new forew... read full description
reviews
Jan 29, 2012
Qt
rated it: 
A very nicely-put-together book, this consists of chapters written by various authors on different facets of religion: pilgrimages, prayers, modern directions of the church, etc. My favorite part was the photos, which were of National Geographic-type quality and showed people performing various religious activities, as well as some beautiful shots of temples, churches, and scenery.
While not really something I would ordinarily just pick up to read, it was a very easy-reading book--very int More...
While not really something I would ordinarily just pick up to read, it was a very easy-reading book--very int More...
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Jun 17, 2011
Nathaniel
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The seminal inaccurate "world religions" volume for the ages. While Smith's coverage of the Judeo-Christian tradition is excellent and his treatment of Islam is adequate, he has a hard time getting away from the Middle Eastern/monotheistic perspective and allows it to color his writing. Consequently this book becomes less and less accurate the farther East he gets and the more different from the Judeo-Christian tradition the religions become. His handling of Buddhism and Taoism is part
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Dec 19, 2009
Paul
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No doubt a popular book in terms of numbers of copies sold. The author is a highly respected scholar on world religions who has taught at some of the most prestigious universities in America. He also grew up in China and has imbibed the rituals of most of the religions he's studied. So why the two stars:
* Smith is a pluralist. I find this position doesn't allow for the most rigorous and critical analysis of the religious positions presented.
Indeed, I find this position ir More...
* Smith is a pluralist. I find this position doesn't allow for the most rigorous and critical analysis of the religious positions presented.
Indeed, I find this position ir More...
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Jan 02, 2012
James
rated it: 
My rating should really be split into two: 5/5 for the art and 2/5 for the written content. The photographs and artworks in The Illustrated World's Religions are gorgeous, and highly illustrative of the various faiths in question. But the text is riddled with sweeping generalities. Peoples with highly different faiths and worldviews are lumped together: the final chapter, "The Primal Religions", includes Australian Aborigines, Native Americans, and various peoples of Africa and New Gui
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Aug 15, 2009
Cappy
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The book is thoroughly uneven - strong at some points (Hinduism, Buddhism, articulating the merits of the world's wisdom tradtions) and weak at others (Judaism, Tribal religions, covering the nuts and bolts of the world's religions).
"As it was, the first 'draft' of my book was delivered to a television audience, and the director of the series never let me forget that audience. This is not a classroom where you have a captive audience, he kept reminding me. If you lose their atte More...
"As it was, the first 'draft' of my book was delivered to a television audience, and the director of the series never let me forget that audience. This is not a classroom where you have a captive audience, he kept reminding me. If you lose their atte More...
Oct 09, 2011
Patrick
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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May 06, 2011
Mark
rated it:
An interesting primer on World Religions. Smith tends to take a very positive approach to the Religions, oftentimes glossing over or ignoring the many problems that religions have caused. However, that criticism aside, Smith starts with the Eastern Faiths and makes Hindusim, Buddhism and Taoism instantly accessible and understandable. By the time the Western reader engages the Western Faiths of Judaism, Islam and Christianity, he or she will know enough of the Eastern faiths to draw comparisons
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Mar 18, 2011
Doug
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Excellent, thorough, balanced and insightful descriptions of the history and beliefs of the major world religions. Considering how limited my knowledge was before, I am vastly more educated on the subject having read this book. Everyone in the world should read this. The author manages to discuss each religion as if he were a believer and practitioner of that religion. That makes every section very positive, and as far as I could tell, there was no bias for or against any particular one. One thi
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Jul 01, 2009
Eric
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I read this book for a World Religions class which was actually the intro class, but I took it at the end :) I didn't expect much from a 101 class, but this book really grabbed me. As Smith says in the beginning, 'There are plenty of sources dealing with the negative aspects of religions and religious strife over the years. This book focuses on the positive aspects, the ideal each religion is striving for.'
It really opened up new worlds to me, and it was a breath of fresh air to h More...
It really opened up new worlds to me, and it was a breath of fresh air to h More...
Mar 14, 2009
David
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I both loved and hated this book. It was a textbook for a World's religions class I took. As a textbook about religion it is the most convoluted mess that makes it horrible task to read as an assignment. But please, don't let that detract you. I think that if I had been able to read the book at a leisurely pace(rather than digesting a new religion each week) I would have greatly enjoyed it. The book will take you on journey that will greatly expand your understanding of religion from a philo
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Feb 10, 2010
Jamie
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Huston provides a powerful punch of wonderous delight for the world's historical religions. I was left in awestuck wonder at how beautiful, pragmatic, and well thought out information that he articluates in this excellent book. This is an unbias fact base book that adhears to the positive side that religion provides (aside from the negativity that is obviously present within every religion, he bypasses that notion and delves into the heart and soul of each practice.)
I sat on my comfy More...
I sat on my comfy More...
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May 16, 2011
Caroline
rated it:
This was an accessible survey of the world's main religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity, et al. I found myself underlining (!) and have placed it on a permanent shelf because I can see myself turning to this book again. Smith is direct that this is an overview of the religions, and in no way comprehensive. Nonetheless, I think I have a greater understanding of the overarching beliefs of the religions with which I was less familiar. I definitely recommend this classic for any
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Nov 06, 2009
Ed
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An extraordinary well written, deeply sympathetic guide to the religions of the world, written by a Christian scholar who manages to get inside the skin of each belief system, understand it from within and sympathetically describe its core beliefs and practices to outsiders. Not a history of religions but an outline of the core beliefs. It has been repeatedly updated. Covers Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity and very briefly Tribal religions in that order. En
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Jan 18, 2010
Nathan
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A fine overview of the world's major religions and their primary subdivisions. The book's first strength lies in its unbiased writing: one can tell that Smith equally reveres each of the religions. In this vein, Smith beautifully extracts the essence of each religion, providing the core that cleanly shows why and how people place their faith. This portrays each religion in its most desirable and respectable light.
Religion is a complex social phenomenon and cannot be fully separated f More...
Religion is a complex social phenomenon and cannot be fully separated f More...
May 08, 2008
Dan
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I am currently reading this book and find it very insightful, interesting, and educational. Huston's writing style expresses with great respect how each of the religious belief systems resonate from the souls of the people into unique expressions of their deep longings for life purpose. I found myself wondering which of these religious expressions that he identified with most profoundly and I kept thinking it must be with all of them. While he described fundamental shortcomings for each he
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Jan 08, 2008
Alexis
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smith certainly is looking at religions thru the lense of his christian upbringing - often making references that were lost on me because he was assuming his readership had a similar christian education - e.g. "blah blah is considered the Hindu Thomas Aquinas." i don't know what that means. i know thomas aquinas wrote a book. end of my knowledge about him. plus the book is structured so that christianity is discussed last, like the cherry-on-top, so there are some akward passages wh
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Feb 21, 2009
Megan
rated it:
Uh, well, I kinda read this one. :) It was more dense than I am used to, it took me a long time to read and I couldn't renew it anymore at the library so I had to take it back before I finished it. I got about a 1/3 to 1/2 through it and I thought it was excellent. As one critic said, it really captures the "spirit" of major religions instead of focusing on dogma or traditions. I am considering purchasing so I can finish it and have it as a reference book.
Oct 17, 2010
Michael
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As a basic introduction to world religions, you can't do much better than this. If you already feel you are well grounded in different traditions it's not necessarily a book you would want to pick up. Smith develops a theme for each religion that structures the chapter and enables the reader to walk away with one core concept about each tradition. This is particularly effective in getting at what he thinks is the tradition's essential spiritual viewpoint.
Apr 11, 2010
Jason
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I've always found Huston Smith insightful, lucid, and fun to read, and so I chose this as one of my course textbooks (when the previous textbook came out in a new edition---for $110!). In spite of its lack of much primary source material (which Philip Novak's collection of scriptures supplements), this is an excellent introduction to the major religions of the world, "our wisdom traditions." Smith's concise chapters describe the big religions--Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism,
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Jan 16, 2009
Robert
rated it:
The best survey on the subject I've ever come across -- incredibly easy to read! I read the original, titled The Religions of Man, but now have a copy of the newer edition (as well as the illustrated edition). I haven't read it in a while, but I recall it being objective, detached. I remember the chapter on Confucianism being particularly good -- maybe that's because Smith was born and spent his adolescence in China. I think he eventually became a buddhist, though.
Jan 03, 2011
William Thomas
rated it:
Not a particularly interesting book for anyone who has had even the most basic of ethics or morals courses, but a very clear and concise picture of the major world religions (with the exception of taoism and confucianism, which were a little blurry). Not much to say here except that anyone trying to gain a clearer understanding of religions in their purest, undiluted and doctrinal forms should probably give it a try.
Dec 16, 2008
Cassie
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My religion professor in college chose this as one text for our World Religions class. This book prompted a renewed search for my own spiritual path. My professor said that when teaching the course, he always fell in love with each religion as he taught them; as I read Huston Smith's book, I also fell in love with each religion.
Nov 16, 2007
Kathryn
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An absolutely wonderful book, filled with genuine passion and humanity in addition to scholarly accounts. My fabulous professor chose this book for the Introduction to World Religions course I took while in business school and this helped spark the embers of my passion for studying religion and lead my course for graduate school! It's an excellent introduction though, keep in mind, it is only an "introduction." The standard description posted above is a good representation. Two ite
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Sep 09, 2009
Penelope
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Great book that educates one on the major world religions while remaining impartial. Thought provoking and well written. I read this as research for my next novel. I now plan to read more of Huston Smith's books.
Posted an extensive review on Book Lust this week. Here's the link: http://booklust-lisa.blogspot.com/2009/0...
Posted an extensive review on Book Lust this week. Here's the link: http://booklust-lisa.blogspot.com/2009/0...
Jan 09, 2009
JJ
rated it:
Sort of a classic summary of all the major world religions. An good read, and even if it's a little outdated in its style, the the summaries are very good.
Smith's key to this classic is his sympathetic feel for what's behind each religion and his ability to help the reader see the movement with from the adherents' view.
Smith's key to this classic is his sympathetic feel for what's behind each religion and his ability to help the reader see the movement with from the adherents' view.
Dec 18, 2008
Kelley
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For anyone looking for a good introduction to world religions, this is the book for you. I originally read this book in college while taking a class in Eastern religions. It is well organized and accessible regardless of previous experiences with religious study.
Jan 22, 2012
Brandon
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The World's Religions is one of the most insightful introductory texts to the distinct religions in the world one will discover. It was through this book that allows me to give a one-word definition for each of the definitions; for without them I will perhaps will not remember the words, the brilliance, and social implications Smith brought into an extremely well-written eulogy of the world's religions. Whilst I continue to remain an agnostic atheist, I will have had the opportunity to qualify m
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May 30, 2011
Gwen
rated it:
If you love pretty pictures and obscenely quick over views of the wisdom traditions that this is the book for you. If you want to know in depth information on the main and wonderful faiths out there look else where. Houston Smith has done much better work than this.
Oct 30, 2007
Jeff
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Religion is a powerful force in our world, used for both hate and love, peace and violence. In this world today it seems religion is speaking loudest about what it is against, how it is different from all other faiths and how all others are blinded by folly while the anointed sit alone, having cornered all truth into their own tribalist camp.
This book is needed more today that it was when it was first written half a century ago. Smith takes an enlightened approach to elucidating th More...
This book is needed more today that it was when it was first written half a century ago. Smith takes an enlightened approach to elucidating th More...
Dec 01, 2010
Heather
rated it:
Essential. Brilliant lyrical prose, excellent insights. My copy has a quote on the back, referencing the reviewer's love and respect for the text, as well as the fact that he constantly returns to it, gaining new understandings. I feel exactly the same.
