I would probably say that this is one of the best books I have ever read--certainly the most important. But also the most dense and difficult to read. It took me about 2 months (and I usually can get through books in a week or two max). I always read this book with a pencil and I think there are whole pages or sections in my book that are underlined. However, this book is not for everyone. If you cannot accept some gray in your religious belief or don't want to read something that will likely challenge your religious understanding, you might want to stay away. Having said that, I was uplifted by the book.

The book is an answer to modern atheists and is a "defense" of God. I have to say that I have read others like this, but this so far surpasses those in breath that I think to say that it is a defense of God minimizes what she is trying to do. Karen Armstrong has done her homework. The book is basically a thorough history of religion and philosophy and science. She claims that modern religion has unnecessarily entangled itself in logic and has turned away from its roots based in "unknowing." That essentially, we have made an idol out of God and have tried to "prove" him through scientific means. And it is this God that the atheists attack. But this is not how religion started. It used to be much more flexible and comfortable with itself.

There are certainly flaws in the book (I think she over-idealizes the past) and there are certainly parts that I do not agree with, but I am so glad I read this book. In the end, it inspires me to live my religion to take the golden rule seriously.

I highly recommend this book. If there is a more important book out there right now, I haven't come across it. Just know though that it is not an easy book to get through and your religious belief will certainly be challenged.