Rating: 
Summary: good overview
Review: _The World's Religions_ (published in its first editions as _The Religions of Man_) makes good reading for those of us who want to know a little bit about a lot of faiths. There is something here about just about every organized spiritual tradition I could think of, plus many that were new to me.Smith explains each religion with a clear, nonjudgmental style. His aim is to give a broad survey, rather than defend a thesis. Beginning readers of comparative religion will find this book a great introduction and an invaluable resource.
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Summary: Hardcover Edition is not worth the price.
Review: Great book, but the current hardcover edition is a really tacky library edition, not bound but glued into an awful orange plastic cover. Cheap, thin bleed-through paper. Buy the paperback.
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Summary: This book is hard to comprehend and is not a beginner book.
Review: I did not find any kind of learning value in this book. It should not be used as a study guide. It is lengthened to the double by oversized words which makes it hard to comprehend and is not a book for beginners.
Rating: 
Summary: A magnificent, inspiring, and moving introduction
Review: This book was more than I could ever have asked or expected. I first picked it up rather desultorily, not expecting to be impressed. However, in five minutes I was gripped and remained that way for the very few days it took me to finish it, so fascinated was I. Smith captures beautifully and with great insight the heart of each faith, revealing the centre of each belief and demonstrating simply and humbly the beauty contained at its heart. From start to finish I was overflowing with admiration, both for its wise and inspired author who opened untold doors to my wondering eyes, and for the people of the world who follow these paths. I am a devoted and unashamed admirer of Huston Smith and I cannot praise his work enough.
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Summary: A Beautifull Introduction
Review: A remarkable book, boasting some of the best images and explanation's I've seen in a while. It offers an indepth look at a vast number of religions and belief systems without making things confusing. A great book.
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Summary: Read this to gain appreciation for the existence of religion
Review: I read this book for a college class and loved it. This book helps the reader not only appreciate their own religion but to appreciate other religions as they coexist within the world. Huston Smith details the critical elements of the beginnings of each of the world's religions and describes to the reader basic principles and ideas of each religion to leave the reader an opportunity to compare and to contrast for oneself. This book is a must for anyone interested in religions of the world and is an excellent book for ancient history and comparative religions college classes.
Rating:
Summary: Focused on Meaning
Review: As a religion scholar, this is one of the best introductions to the field of human faith that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Dr. Smith writes with enthusiasm and concentrates his exploration on the essence of each partiular tradition. While he does not include every holy day, festival, law, etc., of the particular religions he does communicate that which is far more important: the meaning as a whole, the spirit embodied within each path.
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Summary: The Best Book On Religion To Date That I Have Read
Review: This is book a very very condensed but comprehensive book for anyone. This is a must have, must read for all Religious Dogmatic Fanatics. It will help dispell fears and misconceptions of other cultures and religions.
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Summary: Perhaps the most remarkable book I have ever read.
Review: As with the reviewer from Japan, I found that this title was absolutely remarkable in it's depth of appreciation, understanding and insight into each of the world's major religions. This book is an event of great importance. It is an utter loss that it is no longer in print. How long will we have to wait until someone else writes about the worlds religions without playing favorites? Cross your fingers and hope that this one doesn't disappear. Otherwise...it could be a long wait!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent reference book for laymen with great insights
Review: Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism... Huston Smith handles each of these religions with such care and understanding one truly believes they are reading the words of a believer of each and not an outside observer. This book is wonderful for the numerous proverbs and wisdom of each religion alone, but it is an invaluable reference for anyone who wants a broader understanding of world religion. Each religion is covered simply and broadly, but with enough depth and feeling to give a reader a true sense of understanding. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
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