World Religions

Rating:
Summary: magnificent
Review: I brought this book home, tenderly spread it out on the floor, and lay there, transfixed, for about six hours until my wife yelled at me that it was time for dinner. It's been a long time since I found such a splendid, wonderful, absorbing, and gorgeous book. DK has done it again ... breathtaking pictures, clear explanations, and an inviting format. Though I'm 37, I felt the way I used to feel when I was 7 and was given a new non-fiction book. I wouldn't have the temerity to complain about the superficiality of some explanations--the book isn't intended as a scholarly treatise. For what it is supposed to do--give the reader an absorbing, respectful introduction to the major religions of the world and their trappings--I can't imagine how a better job could have been done.

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous; very informative, thorough and great pictures!!!
Review: John Bowker's World Religions is a wonderful overview of the world's "great faiths." I would recommend it to anyone who has any sort of interest in the different religions. It has many beautiful photographs and maps of the ancient worlds.

It make a great coffee table book, too!!!

Rating:
Summary: all the religions of the world
Review: My husband and I recently bought this book after having seen it at the bookstore. It is a wonderful book that explains the basic ideologies and beliefs of the different religions of the world. Many illustrations and artfully photographed pictures are included to show religious relics as well as regions of the world. It is by no means a comprehensive in depth guide to every religion, but it is quite useful in giving one a thumbnail sketch of the religion in question, and it covers a lot of territory. For those of you who love coffeetable books with lots of nice pictures (like my husband does!) you will not be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: 5-star pictures and 1-star text
Review: This is a beautifully produced book with magnificent colored pictures. In many ways, I think it would be better without the text. The history, basic beliefs, and traditions of each religion are not presented in a concise or coherent manner. I would be unable to give anyone a succinct summary of any of the religions discussed by relying on this book alone. None of the subject religions seem to be treated seriously, and they all come off as a bit silly. Perhaps the silliness of organized religion can't be hidden behind words, but other books have done a better job of obfuscating that fact.

Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous
Review: This richly illustrated book shows the world's most important religions with detailed annotation of sacred texts, paintings, epic imagery, symbolism, iconography, key beliefs, architecture and artifacts. World Religions gives insights into the world's main religions and offers a deeper appreciation for the belief you have chosen as your own.

Through the pages, the author looks at the beliefs and practices of many different religions from the ancient Egyptians to the faiths practiced today.

I have so enjoyed John Bowker's books and he has given me so insights into the religions of the world. He was the dean of Trinity College, Cambridge from 1984 to 1991. He is the author of many books, including The Meanings of Death and The Complete Bible Handbook.

With the knowledge presented, you can learn about the central leaders and their teachings, examine the similarities and differences and discover the main beliefs behind each faith.

The chapters include:

What is Religion? - An explanation of what it means to be religious.

Ancient Religions - Why have most cultures had a religion?

Hinduism
Jainism
Buddhism
Sikhism
Chinese Religions
Japanese Religions
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Native Religions

The Golden Rule - How this rule exists in all religions in some form or the other.

Religious Timeline and Maps - Six pages, one with a very helpful timeline that shows when the religion came to be and how it evolved over time.

Further Reading - A page of books organized according to the religion they explain.

"What you do not want done to you, do not do to others." -Confucius, is found in every religion in some form or the other!

The belief in a higher power is found in every culture and seems almost essential to our existence. Why do we "want" to believe in a God? Why do we choose one religion over the other? Here you can explore your choice and see the choices of others.

A beautiful journey.

Rating:
Summary: complete, interesting, and unbiased
Review: Unlike other books that claim to present an unbiased, fair view of the religions of the world, this one actually delivers on that promise. It discusses in depth the various major religions, offering pictures of artifacts, religious ceremonial equipment, and illustrations of the gods/goddesses involved. I was impressed by the religious timelines, continental graphs by religious practices, and Golden Rule section that closes the book (saying to basically be respectful of others' views). This book does not endorse any of the religions, nor does it neglect any of them either. If you are shopping for an impartial, complete, detailed account of all of the world's major religions, I highly recommend this book to you. "Prejudice is the child of Ignorance." -- W. Hazlitt