Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought (3rd Edition) [Paperback]

Patrick S. Bresnan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 10, 2006

Ideal for readers with little or no previous knowledge of the subject, this book provides an exceptionally complete overview of the historical development of the major Eastern traditions of religious and philosophical thought (in India, China, and Japan.). The book uses an engaging style that is filled with anecdotes, analogies, definitions, comparisons, and supporting quotes from primary and secondary sources. It guides learners in recognizing the interrelationships that exist among the various systems, appreciating the relevance of these traditions to the concerns of modern times, and understanding the major issues of interpretation regarding these systems. The traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism are broad umbrellas that include a number of specific schools, each of which is treated individually. Other schools–such as Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto–are brought into the story at the appropriate place. Owing to the current high degree of interest in the subject, the historical development of Zen Buddhism receives a bit more attention that the other traditions. For anyone new to the study, and excited by the idea, of Eastern thought.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Patrick Bresnan has taken plough to soil, sown some fine seeds and reaped an abundant harvest in Awakening. Awakening has awoken many to the lush and varied landscape of Eastern thought, done so in a thoughtful, subtle and nuanced way, and, best of all, offered a suggestive middle way between the academic and existential approach to Religious Studies. Students delight in the text; so do I."

-Professor Ron Dart, Department of Philosophy/Religious Studies, University College of the Fraser Valley

 

 

 

"Awakening  is a work of great merit. The author is also to be complimented for his lucid and engaging style, as also for the many anecdotes, analogies and excerpts from original sources which have made complex thoughts easy to understand. Serious readers will find enough to ponder that the twins of East and West don't only meet, but act and live together."

-Hari N. Verma, India Post

 

From the Back Cover

Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought is an excellent introductory text for students new to the field of comparative and Eastern philosophic and religious thought. Written in an engaging style, Awakening provides an historical overview of the major philosophical and spiritual traditions of India, China, and Japan. Patrick Bresnan ties the past to the present and shows the relationships that exist between Eastern and Western traditions.

This new second edition has been thoroughly reviewed and rewritten and updated throughout, following the author's extensive travels in the East. It will continue to be an informative and thought-provoking text that will prepare the reader for further study and analysis of primary works.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 3 edition (August 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0132436914
• ISBN-13: 978-0132436915
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #717,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful., September 21, 2010

By 

jbarker - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

I used this as a substitute for the 4th edition, and it works just fine. The only issue I had was trying to match up the questions that are in the 3rd edition with the 4th edition at the end of every chapter. The best way I managed to do this was go to coursesmart and do a free trial of the 4th edition, and highlight all the questions in the 3rd edition that match up to the 4th edition. I'd say about 97% of all the questions are exactly the same, but some questions are actually shorter in the 4th edition than in the 3rd. Overall, I recommend this to students who are looking to save. The information is exactly the same in the 3rd as in the 4th.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stellar Introduction to the Eastern Mind-Set, July 19, 2002

By 

Erik J. Ranstrom "stm98" (Feeding Hills, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought (Paperback)

Bresnan's Awakening is an excellent introduction to the Eastern religions and philosophies of Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism, and Confucianism. The text is very readable, and Bresnan often tries to correlate appropriate Eastern doctrines with similar Judeo-Christian themes in order to enhance the reader's understanding.
Instead of focusing on external and exoteric religious themes, such as rituals, traditions, and the like, Bresnan uses a more theosophical approach which brings to light the ideas that encompass Eastern religions and ideologies. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone who has a budding interest in Eastern thought but has a theological IQ that does not extend east of the Arabian peninsula.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, January 13, 2011

By 

Dest Bit - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought (4th Edition) (Paperback)

Normally I find historical texts to be very boring, but this one laid out the history and past of Eastern culture very well, and in a much more engaging way that I've seen in other textbooks.