The Cambridge Illustrated History of Religions provides a comprehensive survey of world religions from pre-history to the present day. Each religion is treated in depth, with text written by an acknowledged academic expert supported by lavish illustration. Images have been carefully chosen to complement the text. There are special box features and spreads. The religions covered include Jainism, Chinese and Japanese religions, Hindu religions, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism, along with smaller sections on Zoroaster and Parsis, Greece and Rome, Egypt and Mesopotamia, aboriginal religions, Shamanism, and modern religions such as Bahai. The book includes a substantial bibliography, a full chronology for each section, a general chronology giving the most significant dates from all religions, and information on religious phenomena such as festivals and calendars. This is an authoritative reference book in an attractive format which will appeal equally to students of religion, teachers, and general interested readers.
• Part of prestigious and successful Cambridge Illustrated Histories brand • Superb illustrations and an authoritative, readable text • Trade flagship title for Cambridge’s academic religion list - one of the world’s strongest
Contents
Introduction: the early history of religions John Bowker; 1. Indian religions and the Hindu tradition Gavin Flood; 2. Jainism Paul Dundas; Sikhism Eleanor Nesbitt; 3. Buddhism:Buddhist origins and South East Asia David Gosling; 4. Tibetan Buddhism Adrian Abbott; 5. Chinese Buddhism Roger Corless; 6. Japanese Buddhism Paul Ingram; 7. Korean Buddhism Youngsook Pak; 8. Chinese religion Yao Xinzhong; 9. Korean religions Yee-heum Yoon; 10. Japanese religion Jay Sakashita; 11. Judaism Jonathan Magonet; 12. Zoroaster to Parsis John Bowker; 13. Mediterranean religions: Greece and Rome David Bowker; 14. Egypt and Mesopotamia John Bowker; 15. Christianity David Edwards [including: Norse Religion, David Bowker]; 16. Islam Penelope Johnstone; Conclusion: religion in the modern world John Bowker.
Reviews
‘As a broad brushstroke approach to the history of religions this collection of articles covers the ground comprehensively and well … There is a pleasing and judicious use of inserts and boxes to break up the impact of solid text. The photographic illustrations are a stunning success, with striking images that help to raise the text into life. The chronological time-lines are also a useful feature … It is pleasing that the entries are by writers of acknowledged quality in their fields.’ Alan Race, Church Times
‘This volume presents a large amount of information in an engaging way, offering much scholarly insight for the lay reader … Useful for students, teachers, and general readers as an introduction to religious history, this work is recommended for public and college libraries.’ Library Journal
‘Some of the best and most reliable scholars have been enlisted to write about the traditions in which they have specialised, and they do so in a very accessible and deceptively simple way … an attractive book that can be firmly recommended for library use and for personal pleasure.’ Times Higher Education Supplement
' … a beautifully produced book '. Reviews in Religion and Theology
‘… a scholarly work but written accessibly … will inform the unspecialised reader of much information. it also raises a number of questions about how we write historically about religion in the context of culture, nationalism and politics.’ Journal of Beliefs and Values
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