Description:
Editorial Reviews
From the Back Cover
Huston Smith's masterpiece explores the essential elements and teachings of the world's predominant faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the native traditions of Australia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas.
Emphasizing the inner—rather than the institutional—dimension of these religions, Smith devotes special attention to Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, Sufism, and the teachings of Jesus. He convincingly conveys the unique appeal and gifts of each of the traditions and reveals their hold on the human heart and imagination.
About the Author
Huston Smith is internationally known and revered as the premier teacher of world religions. He is the focus of a five-part PBS television series with Bill Moyers and has taught at Washington University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Syracuse University, and the University of California at Berkeley. The recipient of twelve honorary degrees, Smith's fifteen books include his bestselling The World's Religions, Why Religion Matters, and his autobiography, Tales of Wonder.
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Good overview of religions
This is classic book, so my description of content would just be redundant. But, it is important for the reader to have the correct expectation. As the author says in his preface, this book is not a detailed scholarly treatise of each religion. It evolved from a TV program. The book gives an overview of the main points, main history of each religion. Topics move from point to point quickly, like trying to keep a television audience interested, so they won't get bored and change channels. If you want to understand the general idea of each religion, read this book; if you want to become an expert in one, find something else.Having said that, concerning the three religions that I already knew a lot about, this book effectively explained the main beliefs and history of those religions. So, I believe it must have done an equally good job explaining the others. The author was always respectful of each religion; they were all taken seriously. As a result, I could not tell to which religion(s) the author, himself, believed.The book was not evangelical (which it shouldn't be). It didn't change which three religions that speak to me the most. What it did was broaden my definition of religion. By my old definition, some of the religions in this book (notably Confucianism) would have been a philosophy, but not a religion. The authors definition was more broad than mine. The definition went something like this (paraphrasing): a set of beliefs that guide the moral life of a community. By that definition, Confucianism certainly qualifies. By that definition, even an atheist probably has a religion.The only weakness of the book, which I found, was the list of suggested further reading. I looked at a couple of the listed books about a couple different religions, and I was not impressed. But, don't let that stop you from reading this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars I don’t see how you could pass on this book
“Six aspects of religion surface so regularly as to suggest that their seeds are in the human makeup.” (Chapter III, p. 92 50th Anniversary Edition)I actually found that sentence buried in the chapter on Buddhism, as a short setup for a line of reasoning much less important than I thought such a statement merited. There’s so much to unpack in such a short sentence like that one that it’s hard to move past it and keep reading. An assertion like that really needs its own chapter.So there are two elements to this statement. The first is the six aspects, and that is fairly straight forward (although the author goes on to assert that Buddhism is a rarity in that it doesn’t initially embrace such concepts).These are the six aspects of religion that surface regularly, according to Huston Smith:AuthorityRitualSpeculationTraditionGraceMysteryI’ll accept the six aspects as they are so we can move to the second element of the assertion. These six key aspects “surface so regularly as to suggest that their seeds are in the human makeup.” This second element is where it really gets interesting for me. In other words, the implication is that we come right out of the package psychologically pre-programmed with these archetypal ideas. This a concept that I’ve been looking into for a number of months now while reading Carl Jung and Jordan B. Peterson and I’ve come to accept it as the truth. In fact, Huston Smith cites Jung several times throughout the book, so it’s not surprising that he’d been reading some of Jung’s work to come to a conclusion like that.Look for other flashes of brilliance like that throughout the book.Just in case you read this in hopes of an actual book review, I guess I can do that, too:The World’s Religions by Huston Smith is considered a classic in the genre by many. It’s such a respected book that it’s often used as a university textbook in World Religion classes. But this book does more than present the history and spirit of the major religions as you might expect from the title and some of the reviews. There are some very sophisticated and thoughtful parts of the book, too.I want to quickly address a criticism I’ve seen while looking through reviews: If you have a version that contains pictures and only a couple hundred pages, you have the abridged, illustrated version instead of the full book. I haven’t seen inside of that one but no wonder you have complaints about the sections being too brief. Do yourself a favor and go buy the genuine article. It’s over four-hundred pages and it’s quite thorough.Final say: Overall, I don’t see how you could pass on this book if you’re the least bit interested in religion or philosophy.RIP Huston SmithBorn: May 31, 1919Died: December 30, 2016
4.0 out of 5 stars Good single volume summary
Good summary of the world's great religions from a man that has great respect for and experience in many of these religions. It's refreshing to read about the great religions from someone that has made a lifetime of studying them with a true desire to understand them. I definitely recommend this book for those wanting a quick look at what makes them different from each other. There is a lot to admire in each one.Of course, where only one chapter is dedicated to each religion, you will not learn everything, but it will give you a start and the author recommends good books for more in depth study.I found the Plus section quite interesting, which is where I found out more about the author's life and perspective.I studied this book with a group of friends, and the major complaint we had was on his section on Judaism. The one Jew in the group didn't think he caught the essence too well. It turns out that Smith admitted that Judaism is one of the religions that he knew the least about, since he had never seriously investigated it has he had most of the others.
Producto en mal estado
El libro llegó maltratado
Huston, a beautiful mind!
This book is essential reading for all who wish to ground themselves in the basics of religions. Huston was also one of the participants in the Marsh Chapel Psilocybin experiment conducted by Walter Pahnke on Good Friday 1962. Huston didn't get the Placebo, and has stated that the experience was powerful and left a permanent mark on his expereinced world view. He had already written this book at the time. Read it for a really balanced insight into what makes the various religious persuasions tick!
Most insightful book on World religions
I have been interested in religions for a long time. Doing my own religious journey through Christianity and Zen Buddhism. I thought I had achieved a level of understanding that gave me an overview of religions that was quite consistent and robust. This book blew my mind.He had super illuminating points about every religion. The book starts with quotations that while science make major contributions to minor [human] needs, it is religion that makes contributions, however small, to things that matter most. That the book is about religion that exists as acute fever not a dull habit.Hinduism chapter was the longest and one that surprised the most. There is a casual mention that Carl Jung was influenced by Hinduism in creating his (mbti) personality types. It mentions how Hinduism caters to different personality types in how people get to know God. One is a spiritual path based on love of God very much like Christianity. Another is a spiritual path of equal validity based on the dissolution of the mind to experience God very much like Zen Buddhism. The book quotes that there comes a time when one asks even of Shakespeare and Beethoven, is this all? The book also mentions that Hindus believe God to be one and universal, appearing in different forms to each group of people. This was good as it is something that I strongly believed without ever having had confirmation.The book was full of such revelations and confirmations as well as brand new insights that took my breath away. (I copied many extracts for easier access in the process learning for the first time that Kindle books have copy limits. Haha.) This book was very valuable to me.
Perfect For My Philospher Hubby
My deep thinking husband loves philosophy and is self-taught on all the greats. Slogging through Nietzsche and Socrates is his idea of fun. He recently shifted into religions and has really been enjoying studying Asian and Indian religions. I bought him this book as a surprise present to give him more material to chew on. As I hoped, he LOVES it and has barely been able to put it down since I gave it to him a couple of days ago. Instead of giving a history lesson on how the major world religions came to be, this author focuses on the ways various religions attempt to satisfy the longings and concerns of the human soul. I chose this book because I like the author's focus on spiritual principles. I also like the fact that, like my husband, this author seems capable of recognizing and appreciating the kernels of Divine wisdom that all religions have to offer. Once you know who God is, you are able to see Him at work everywhere instead of getting stuck in the idea that there is only one "right" religion. My husband and I have come to the conclusion that there is no perfect religion--instead, they each have their strengths and shortcomings. I really enjoy hearing my husband's summaries of what he's gleaning from this book and would highly recommend for any serious thinkers who are open to seeing God working in a "big picture" kind of way. I also really like how this author discusses some of the less common religions in the final chapter of this book--that was a very nice bonus.
Good book to understand major religions
Here the best of all religions is given. The core philosophies of the religion are given, and the author has made himself clear regarding it from the beginning. He has successfully brought out the beauty of all religions, and reading his work you will understand how all religions are similar in several respects. I hope all people will at least read this book before talking about religions in any forum.I have the Kindle version. It's good. There are no diagrams and pictures here, so a Kindle version will do just good.
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Visit the HarperOne Store
The World's Religions (Plus)
AED7962
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
Editorial Reviews
From the Back Cover
Huston Smith's masterpiece explores the essential elements and teachings of the world's predominant faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the native traditions of Australia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas.
Emphasizing the inner—rather than the institutional—dimension of these religions, Smith devotes special attention to Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, Sufism, and the teachings of Jesus. He convincingly conveys the unique appeal and gifts of each of the traditions and reveals their hold on the human heart and imagination.
About the Author
Huston Smith is internationally known and revered as the premier teacher of world religions. He is the focus of a five-part PBS television series with Bill Moyers and has taught at Washington University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Syracuse University, and the University of California at Berkeley. The recipient of twelve honorary degrees, Smith's fifteen books include his bestselling The World's Religions, Why Religion Matters, and his autobiography, Tales of Wonder.
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Good overview of religions
This is classic book, so my description of content would just be redundant. But, it is important for the reader to have the correct expectation. As the author says in his preface, this book is not a detailed scholarly treatise of each religion. It evolved from a TV program. The book gives an overview of the main points, main history of each religion. Topics move from point to point quickly, like trying to keep a television audience interested, so they won't get bored and change channels. If you want to understand the general idea of each religion, read this book; if you want to become an expert in one, find something else.Having said that, concerning the three religions that I already knew a lot about, this book effectively explained the main beliefs and history of those religions. So, I believe it must have done an equally good job explaining the others. The author was always respectful of each religion; they were all taken seriously. As a result, I could not tell to which religion(s) the author, himself, believed.The book was not evangelical (which it shouldn't be). It didn't change which three religions that speak to me the most. What it did was broaden my definition of religion. By my old definition, some of the religions in this book (notably Confucianism) would have been a philosophy, but not a religion. The authors definition was more broad than mine. The definition went something like this (paraphrasing): a set of beliefs that guide the moral life of a community. By that definition, Confucianism certainly qualifies. By that definition, even an atheist probably has a religion.The only weakness of the book, which I found, was the list of suggested further reading. I looked at a couple of the listed books about a couple different religions, and I was not impressed. But, don't let that stop you from reading this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars I don’t see how you could pass on this book
“Six aspects of religion surface so regularly as to suggest that their seeds are in the human makeup.” (Chapter III, p. 92 50th Anniversary Edition)I actually found that sentence buried in the chapter on Buddhism, as a short setup for a line of reasoning much less important than I thought such a statement merited. There’s so much to unpack in such a short sentence like that one that it’s hard to move past it and keep reading. An assertion like that really needs its own chapter.So there are two elements to this statement. The first is the six aspects, and that is fairly straight forward (although the author goes on to assert that Buddhism is a rarity in that it doesn’t initially embrace such concepts).These are the six aspects of religion that surface regularly, according to Huston Smith:AuthorityRitualSpeculationTraditionGraceMysteryI’ll accept the six aspects as they are so we can move to the second element of the assertion. These six key aspects “surface so regularly as to suggest that their seeds are in the human makeup.” This second element is where it really gets interesting for me. In other words, the implication is that we come right out of the package psychologically pre-programmed with these archetypal ideas. This a concept that I’ve been looking into for a number of months now while reading Carl Jung and Jordan B. Peterson and I’ve come to accept it as the truth. In fact, Huston Smith cites Jung several times throughout the book, so it’s not surprising that he’d been reading some of Jung’s work to come to a conclusion like that.Look for other flashes of brilliance like that throughout the book.Just in case you read this in hopes of an actual book review, I guess I can do that, too:The World’s Religions by Huston Smith is considered a classic in the genre by many. It’s such a respected book that it’s often used as a university textbook in World Religion classes. But this book does more than present the history and spirit of the major religions as you might expect from the title and some of the reviews. There are some very sophisticated and thoughtful parts of the book, too.I want to quickly address a criticism I’ve seen while looking through reviews: If you have a version that contains pictures and only a couple hundred pages, you have the abridged, illustrated version instead of the full book. I haven’t seen inside of that one but no wonder you have complaints about the sections being too brief. Do yourself a favor and go buy the genuine article. It’s over four-hundred pages and it’s quite thorough.Final say: Overall, I don’t see how you could pass on this book if you’re the least bit interested in religion or philosophy.RIP Huston SmithBorn: May 31, 1919Died: December 30, 2016
4.0 out of 5 stars Good single volume summary
Good summary of the world's great religions from a man that has great respect for and experience in many of these religions. It's refreshing to read about the great religions from someone that has made a lifetime of studying them with a true desire to understand them. I definitely recommend this book for those wanting a quick look at what makes them different from each other. There is a lot to admire in each one.Of course, where only one chapter is dedicated to each religion, you will not learn everything, but it will give you a start and the author recommends good books for more in depth study.I found the Plus section quite interesting, which is where I found out more about the author's life and perspective.I studied this book with a group of friends, and the major complaint we had was on his section on Judaism. The one Jew in the group didn't think he caught the essence too well. It turns out that Smith admitted that Judaism is one of the religions that he knew the least about, since he had never seriously investigated it has he had most of the others.
Producto en mal estado
El libro llegó maltratado
Huston, a beautiful mind!
This book is essential reading for all who wish to ground themselves in the basics of religions. Huston was also one of the participants in the Marsh Chapel Psilocybin experiment conducted by Walter Pahnke on Good Friday 1962. Huston didn't get the Placebo, and has stated that the experience was powerful and left a permanent mark on his expereinced world view. He had already written this book at the time. Read it for a really balanced insight into what makes the various religious persuasions tick!
Most insightful book on World religions
I have been interested in religions for a long time. Doing my own religious journey through Christianity and Zen Buddhism. I thought I had achieved a level of understanding that gave me an overview of religions that was quite consistent and robust. This book blew my mind.He had super illuminating points about every religion. The book starts with quotations that while science make major contributions to minor [human] needs, it is religion that makes contributions, however small, to things that matter most. That the book is about religion that exists as acute fever not a dull habit.Hinduism chapter was the longest and one that surprised the most. There is a casual mention that Carl Jung was influenced by Hinduism in creating his (mbti) personality types. It mentions how Hinduism caters to different personality types in how people get to know God. One is a spiritual path based on love of God very much like Christianity. Another is a spiritual path of equal validity based on the dissolution of the mind to experience God very much like Zen Buddhism. The book quotes that there comes a time when one asks even of Shakespeare and Beethoven, is this all? The book also mentions that Hindus believe God to be one and universal, appearing in different forms to each group of people. This was good as it is something that I strongly believed without ever having had confirmation.The book was full of such revelations and confirmations as well as brand new insights that took my breath away. (I copied many extracts for easier access in the process learning for the first time that Kindle books have copy limits. Haha.) This book was very valuable to me.
Perfect For My Philospher Hubby
My deep thinking husband loves philosophy and is self-taught on all the greats. Slogging through Nietzsche and Socrates is his idea of fun. He recently shifted into religions and has really been enjoying studying Asian and Indian religions. I bought him this book as a surprise present to give him more material to chew on. As I hoped, he LOVES it and has barely been able to put it down since I gave it to him a couple of days ago. Instead of giving a history lesson on how the major world religions came to be, this author focuses on the ways various religions attempt to satisfy the longings and concerns of the human soul. I chose this book because I like the author's focus on spiritual principles. I also like the fact that, like my husband, this author seems capable of recognizing and appreciating the kernels of Divine wisdom that all religions have to offer. Once you know who God is, you are able to see Him at work everywhere instead of getting stuck in the idea that there is only one "right" religion. My husband and I have come to the conclusion that there is no perfect religion--instead, they each have their strengths and shortcomings. I really enjoy hearing my husband's summaries of what he's gleaning from this book and would highly recommend for any serious thinkers who are open to seeing God working in a "big picture" kind of way. I also really like how this author discusses some of the less common religions in the final chapter of this book--that was a very nice bonus.
Good book to understand major religions
Here the best of all religions is given. The core philosophies of the religion are given, and the author has made himself clear regarding it from the beginning. He has successfully brought out the beauty of all religions, and reading his work you will understand how all religions are similar in several respects. I hope all people will at least read this book before talking about religions in any forum.I have the Kindle version. It's good. There are no diagrams and pictures here, so a Kindle version will do just good.
Similar suggestions by Bolo
More from this brand
Similar items from “Taoism”
Share with
Or share with link
https://www.bolo.ae/products/U0061660183