Historical Atlas of Religions [Hardcover]

Karen Farrington (Author)

Book Description

Series: Historical Atlas | Publication Date: October 2002

From the dawn of mankind’s imagination, we have sought the favour of elemental powers and attempted to appease them with worship and sacrifice. The story of religion is one of learning to live with evolving social structures and determining how faith can provide a structure of beliefs through which we can deal with the world around us. In Historical Atlas of Religions, Karen Farrington shows how different cultures’ beliefs evolved, how their influence spread, and where they came into conflict with each other. The book is not partisan; its aims are to enlighten and not to preach, and to put each religion into its own proper context. Historical Atlas of Religions is a delightful encyclopedia of human spiritual endeavor from the earliest forms of animism to the established faiths of modern times.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10-Some three dozen organized religions, religious movements, and systems of belief are explored in this oversized package. Beginning in the acknowledged birthplace of many major religions, the Middle East, each chapter discusses the significant religions throughout history by continent. The origins and basic tenets of each faith and the hardships experienced by some of its practitioners are revealed in substantial text. Abundant color illustrations include portraits of significant individuals, reproductions of important religious art, and photographs of artifacts and sites. The many historical maps depicting strongholds and the spread of specific religions are especially helpful. Entries for groups such as The Society of Friends and Christian Science are only two pages long as are those for religious beliefs of which there is little record, such as those of the Maya. Others, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism, are discussed at greater length. Christianity receives the most attention since it has influenced the histories of peoples in most parts of the world. While the introductions to the beliefs of some peoples and groups (e.g., the Australasian Aborigines, the Salvation Army, and others) are not extensive, they offer a basic understanding of each one. The organization does not promote quick access to specific facts or significant dates and statistics, but there is an index. On the whole, Farrington's work presents more variety than Trevor Barnes's The Kingfisher Book of Religions (Kingfisher, 1999) and more substance than Anita Ganeri's The Atlas of World Religions (Peter Bedrick, 2001).
Ann G. Brouse, Steele Memorial Library, Elmira, NY
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

KAREN FARRINGTON is an ex-Fleet Street journalist who worked for several years at London’s Old Bailey. She became a fulltime author in 1987 and has contributed to numerous publications on military history. Her published works include, ‘Witness to World War II’, ‘The History of Religion’ and ‘Natural Disasters’. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Checkmark Books; First Edition edition (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816050694
• ISBN-13: 978-0816050697
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,017,987 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Quick Overview of Religion, May 11, 2003

By 

J. J. Kwashnak "voracious reader" (Monroe, LA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Historical Atlas of Religions (Hardcover)

Though this book is called an Atlas, and uses the continents for organization and division, this is really a survey book - an overview of religions in the world. What is positive about this book is the breadth of religious issues and movements that are covered from all around the world. The drawback is that many of these overviews are short - taking up a page plus illustrations. And some of the information presented has small mistakes. But overall it is a decent overview for anyone looking to go beyond the local religious information, or wishes to see the breadth of religious practices in the world. However, know the visits are only skin deep - if you want to know more there are more substantial books there to introduce you to major religious movements. A decent way to dip your toe into the breadth of religious beliefs.

5.0 out of 5 stars From early to modern times, religious history comes to life, September 2, 2006

By 

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

This review is from: Historical Atlas of Religions (Hardcover)

Any interested in an overall reference covering the rise and fall of all religions will find Historical Atlas Of Religions a fascinating read: it takes a regional approach to major faiths of the world, includes tribal beliefs form all continents, and provides a visual approach to traditions, conflicts, and issues. From early to modern times, religious history comes to life.