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The World's Religions

The World's Religions

The World's Religions

2nd Edition
Ninian Smart
September 1998
Available
Paperback
9780521637480
£51.99
GBP
Paperback

    This book is a revised and updated edition of a popular work, which looks at the world's religions in terms of world history, and as constantly developing systems of belief. Part I traces the development of religions, as they evolved from the traditions of the ancient world. Part II examines the changes to faiths and cultures following the Renaissance and the voyages of conquest and discovery, and asks how, why, and with what effect religions have been refashioned over the ages up to today. In this richly illustrated new edition, religions are described through their symbols, rituals, followers, architecture and art. References, statistics, maps and pictures have been updated and added, illuminating the true nature of each religion. The text has been thoroughly revised to highlight recent developments, such as the spread of Islam, African-American and Hispanic-American religious experience, and women priests.

    • New edition of popular book with updated references, statistics, scholarship, and maps
    • Restructured to make it more user-friendly, with new colour pictures
    • Additional text on key topics such as the spread of Islam, African-American and Hispanic-American religious experience, and women priests

    Reviews & endorsements

    'Richly illustrated, religions are described through their symbols, rituals, architecture and art. Full of maps and statistics, this popular title is a must for anyone exploring this field, and is [] up-to-date.' Publishing News

    See more reviews

    Product details

    September 1998
    Paperback
    9780521637480
    608 pages
    235 × 192 × 30 mm
    1.28kg
    265 b/w illus. 47 colour illus. 13 maps
    Available

    Table of Contents

    • Preface
    • Introduction
    • Part I:
    • 1. Earliest religions
    • 2. South Asia
    • 3. China
    • 4. Japan
    • 5. Southeast Asia
    • 6. The Pacific
    • 7. The Americas
    • 8. The ancient Near East
    • 9. Persia and Central Asia
    • 10. The Greek and Roman world
    • 11. Classical and medieval Christianity and Judaism
    • 12. Classical and medieval Islam
    • 13. Classical African religions
    • Part II:
    • 14. The explosion of Europe and the re-forming of Christianity
    • 15. North America
    • 16. South Asia and reactions to colonial intervention
    • 17. China and Korea in modern times
    • 18. Modern Southeast Asia
    • 19. Japan in modern times
    • 20. Islam passes through the shadows
    • 21. The colonial impact in the Pacific
    • 22. Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union
    • 23. Africa in the modern world
    • 24. Latin America and the Caribbean
    • 25. Some final reflections on global religion
    • Bibliography
    • Credits
    • Index.
      Author
    • Ninian Smart