The Religions of Man

by Huston Smith

Book Overview

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060809728
• ISBN13: 9780060809720
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 608 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 4.2" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Right book, wrong cover

I already had one with the binding I received, I wanted the one that was in the picture of the one that I was sure to click on. Guess they were using a stock photo. Would have been really nice to know, but whatever. Now I have two copies of the same book. And honestly the condition was hardly “acceptable,” but certainly not the “good” it was listed as. The front cover is already ripped in two places and is going to fall off soon. This is the first time I’ve ever had problems with this site, so I’m letting it slide, but definitely not happy:/

A Very Satisfying Theological and Intellectual Appetizer

From what I've read previously, many people regarded Huston Smith's initial version of this book (The Religions of Man) as a classic examination of religions; a work that would have retained it's reputation without revision. Yet Dr. Smith was not content to allow his words to become dated, and we are all the better for it. Some of the changes might be regarded as more or less stylistic, such as rendering the title and text more gender neutral and thus more reflective of current thinking. Other additions include a discussion of the aboriginal philosophies of native Americans, Australians and Pacific Islanders. However the core appeal of this book comes from Dr. Smith's ability to illuminate the core principals and philosophies of each religion with both respect and admiration. Smith states his purpose early on as an exploration of ideas and beliefs. And he explicitly warns that this book "is not a balanced account of it's subject." Accordingly, "this is a book about values" not religious history. As such it forms an excellent basis from which a person might broaden their understanding of the major religions of the world. This is reinforced at the end of each chapter with the author's suggestions for sources of additional reading and exploration. Given the immensity of his subject matter, I'm amazed that Dr. Smith was able to keep his book at a manageable size. There are so many branches and divisions within the various religions that a less disciplined scholar might become lost in, adding pages and pages of minutiae that might otherwise obscure the overall purpose of relating how people of different faiths define and seek to become closer to God. I might issue one caveat to "index-browsers" like myself, who check out the index for areas of interest prior to beginning the book. There are some topics, like Mormonism, the Bahai beliefs, Scientology and current trends in religious fundamentalism that are given cursory or no discussion. You might find that disappointing at first, but invest the time in reading a chapter or two, you will find it well worth your while.

A Perfect Guide

This book gives overviews of the major world religions: Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Taoism, and Confucianism. It has all you'll need for a good understanding of each. For example, if you're wondering not just what Christianity is all about, but what the differences are between, say, Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, the book will tell you. Furthermore, it treats all the religions fairly, spending equal time on each. I can see no better guide for a person interested in learning about religion. And if there's one religion you really like and want to learn even more about, the author gives suggestions for further reading. Excellent book. Highly recommended.

A tremendous resource

This is one of the most meaningful and insightful books I have ever read. Mr. Smith gives the reader a reasonable explanation of each of the world's major religions. One of the most interesting parts of the book is the discussion of the historical period that gave birth to each religion. While I have never met Mr. Smith or heard him speak, I suspect he has studied linguistics along with religion. I say this because he often takes time to explain meanings of concepts in the context of their native language and culture. I found this fascinating. As someone who has tried to write, I found Mr. Smith's talent in this area to be awe-inspiring. I can't count the number of times I would read a paragraph, then look back in amazement at the depth of information that had been conveyed in such a small space. For those who seek to understand other cultures and religions, or even to better understand their own, this book is a gift.

An excellent reference book for laymen with great insights

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.

Brilliant synopsis of the best of the world's religions

Mr. Smith extracts from the world's great religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity - that which is ideal. He intentionally does not delve into the minutiae of religious history or the many ways in which religion has been used as a vehicle for evil. As he explains, "The empowering theological and metaphysical truths of the world's religions are . . . inspired. Institutions - religious institutions emphatically included - are another story. . . ." The book thus sets forth in careful, clear prose and clever detail the very best of seven influential world religions - their core beliefs, their inherent beauty. Mr. Smith is a genius with an analogy, and unfamiliar, or arguably bizarre, religious abstractions are summed up and made concrete in the stroke of a pen. Take, for example, the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. "It holds that while God is fully one, God is also three. The latter half of this claim leads Jews and Muslims to wonder if Christians are truly monotheists, but Christians are confident that they are. As water, ice, and steam, H2O ssumes states that are liquid, solid, and gaseous while retaining its chemical identity." This brilliant book is a "must read" for everyone, of every religious persuasion. The respect it instills for diverse religious beliefs, and the manner in which the reader slowly comes to realize how much seemingly incompatable religious systems have in common, is nothing less than profound. -- Christine Klein