World Religions (Mapping History)

Combining breadth of coverage with 300 color maps, photos, and works of art, World Religions is a comprehensive, uniquely accessible history of faith.In the 21st century, religion retains its power to move from the astonishing devotion felt for religious leaders, like the Pope, to the more sinister role it plays at the heart of many of today’s conflicts. Yet the evolution, history, beliefs, and practices of today’s world faiths are often poorly understood. World Religions presents a sweeping survey of the origins, developments, beliefs, and distribution of the world’s religions. Its coverage is truly global, ranging from faiths like Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism to cover issues such as secularism and less well-known belief systems, like Pacific Cargo Cults. It also includes a section on religion in the ancient world. Featuring 300 maps, photos, and works of art and a thorough and accessible text, this is a unique global overview of human faith and a superb guide to understanding its role in the modern world.