Geography of Religion: Where God Lives, Where Pilgrims Walk [Hardcover]

John Esposito (Author), Susan Tyler Hitchcock (Author), Desmond Tutu (Author), Mpho Tutu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2004

From its introduction by Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu to the epilogue by the Dalai Lama, Geography of Religion encourages new understanding of the world's great religions and of their evolution from ancient roots to vital roles in modern life. With a text as fascinating as it is authoritative; vivid photographs that evoke the reverence, rituals, and rewards of each spiritual tradition; and a rich variety of essays, sidebars, and maps, this magnificent book charts the many paths that guide us to God.

Chapters on each of the 5 major religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—explore the landscapes and cultures where they took hold and flourished. Eminent scholars share the faiths they live and study, revealing their sacred scriptures and rites. Every page offers new insights into religious history and doctrine, along with stunning images of believers at prayer, the holy places they cherish, and their houses of worship—from soaring cathedrals and magnificent mosques to humble shrines infused with a blessed simplicity.

Fittingly, each chapter closes with a photo-essay on pilgrims and their devotional journeys—a wonderful visual reminder that no matter which faith we may embrace, we are all fellow travelers in our search for the truth.

"The 200 photographs demonstrating the diversity of architecture, people, and terrain, are stunning in their beauty and simplicity." —Publishers Weekly


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Though replete with the gorgeous photographs for which National Geographic is known, this book boasts no more than a literal handful of maps—five, to be exact—which seems odd for a book on geography. The authors of the foreword (Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter, Reverend Mpho Tutu) and of the epilogue (His Holiness the Dalai Lama) admirably echo each other in their beliefs that understanding begets tolerance, which in turn begets harmony. Disappointingly, the editors seem too unsure of their audience to foster a sustained understanding of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Too text-heavy for the coffee table and too academic for the general reader, the dense narrative smothers the rich histories of these religions. Sidebars illustrating the particular practice of each faith provide some interesting insights, though at times these reveal more about their authors than the faith itself. A Hindu professor shares his memory of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and a Muslim-American professor laments her failure to impress upon her students the nuances of life as a woman in a Muslim country. Other sidebars—highlighting selected sacred scriptures and describing daily practice—easily compare faiths. The 200 photographs demonstrating the diversity of architecture, people and terrain, are stunning in their beauty and simplicity.
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About the Author

Susan Tyler Hitchcock, Ph.D. is the author of seven books and is currently at work on an eighth. A longtime student of religion, her doctoral dissertation explored the life and poetry of Percy Bysshe Shelley through modern theories of the psychology of religion. She lives near Charlottesville, Virginia.

John L. Esposito, is University Professor of Religion and International Affairs, and of Islamic Studies, at Georgetown University. His more than 25 books include World Religions Today, What Everyone Should Know about Islam: Questions and Answers, Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam, and The Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality? He is also Editor-in-Chief of the four-volume Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic (December 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792273133
• ISBN-13: 978-0792273134
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 1.4 x 11.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,050,041 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gorgeous blend of history, culture, and religious insight, March 5, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Geography of Religion: Where God Lives, Where Pilgrims Walk (Hardcover)

National Geographic's lovely Geography Of Religion: Where God Lives, Where Pilgrims Walk opens with a bang - an introduction by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter the Rev. Mpho Tutu - and continues to present astounding detail and revelations all the way to the Epilogue by His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself. Here are 200 illustrating ranging from photos and examples of sacred art from around the world to maps, discussions of great leaders and faiths of the five great religions, and a timeline of events following their spread around the world. A gorgeous blend of history, culture, and religious insight.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A model for visual history of the faithful, March 19, 2006

By 

Dr. Mohamed Taher (Toronto) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Geography of Religion : Where God Lives, Where Pilgrims Walk (Hardcover)

This is a collection of visuals on a) the religions - east and west - and b) about religious experiences - past and present.

Herein, the two academic experts as editors, i.e., Hitchcock & Esposito, have added-value to the visual history with a foreword by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter the Rev. Mpho Tutu and an epilogue by H.H. The Dalai Lama.

In the 416 pages, Geography of Religion is focused on five religions, viz., Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. "For each of 5 major religions, explore the landscapes, areas, and cultures where these faiths took hold and flourished. See them spread around the world, survive conflict, and translate into other enduring faiths based on their geographic location and cultures. Learn what it means to be a Hindu and bathe in the sacred Ganges; for a Buddhist to revere a statue of the Enlightened One; for a Muslim to trek to Mecca; for Christian martyrs to welcome death. Beautiful maps, photographs, and art illuminate the history of each religion."

This book is, then, useful resource for public libraries, as well specialized libraries, in the areas of art, architecture, etc. More specifically, high school students will find interesting content in this visual geography and its related discussions.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read, August 20, 2008

By 

justin_v (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Geography of Religion: Where God Lives, Where Pilgrims Walk (Paperback)

This book is a must read for anyone who hasn't had a formal introduction to the world's five largest religions. The book is loaded with concise and relevant information and beautiful photography. A basic understanding of these religions goes along way.