Description
From the Dust Jacket
He could have chosen statesmen, generals, scientists, artists. Instead historian Arnold Toynbee named a handful of men whose gift to us was light, “a lamp unto our feet” in the eternal quest for the meaning of life. Now, in 420 pages aglow with color and alive with insight, you walk with such towering figures and share in the varied forms of worship they inspired. Listen to Hebrew prophets, whose wisdom enriches not only Judaism but Christianity and Islam as well. Watch Confucius emerge as a great teacher after serving as a reforming politician. Learn that Jesus was wary of the title Messiah lest he be mistaken for a political leader. Meet Mohammed who, though unschooled, wrote his message in the hearts of one out of seven people in the world today. In this stirring volume you witness the impassioned odyssey of the human soul along paths charted by five great faiths: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. You listen for voices from dim prehistory in chants called the Vedas that foreshadowed Hinduism. You touch an ancient scroll, then read words as modern as tomorrow: “Love your neighbor….” You find, in each faith’s own idiom, a moral principle that knows no boundaries: the Golden Rule. More than 100,000 words of authoritative and highly readable text portray the great religions of man, tracing each from its ancient roots to its role in the Space Age. Three hundred and seventy illustrations — 350 in full Geographic color — usher you into temple and mosque, cathedral and home, to share with worshipers a vision of the infinite that cannot help but enrich your own. Learn what it means to a Hindu to bathe in the sacred Ganges… to a Buddhist to revere a statue of the Enlightened One … to a Moslem to trek to Mecca. Feel the fervor of Christian martyrs welcoming death. Marvel at the faith of Hindus venerating deadly cobras, of Jews enduring persecutions, of Zen Buddhists sitting all day in motionless meditation. Eminent scholars and writers share with you the faiths they have lived and studied. Dr. Arniya Chakravarty reveals the meaning of Hinduism, Dr. Joseph M. Kitagawa of Buddhism, Elie Wiesel of Judaism, Dr. Edward J. Jurji of Islam, Dr. W. D. Davies of Christianity. Dr. Wing-tsit Chan traces Confucianism and Taoism in ancient China; Oliver Statler makes a Buddhist pilgrimage in modern Japan; Michael Kuh joins monks in Thailand. Ted Spiegel celebrates holy days with the Jews; Rabbi Herbert Weiner rolls up his sleeves in an Israeli kibbutz. Father John P. Whalen rebuilds the Christian realm that rose as Rome fell and examines sacraments that evoke words and deeds of Jesus. Dr. Hans J. Hillerbrand shows you the Protestant Reformation that changed the Western church. Dr. Robert McAfee Brown takes you to rock-music services and social-action marches that keep it changing. You begin this rewarding odyssey by exploring with Dr. Huston Smith basic themes that link all men of faith. You sample wisdom of East and West in sacred writings selected by Dr. Robert C. Lester. With National Geographic writers and photographers you walk byways of belief in Bali, Syria, the Himalayas, Mexico —even “forbidden” Mecca. Six maps guide you on unforgettable journeys of discovery.
Publishing Info
Great Religions of the World, from The Story of Man Library by National Geographic Book Service with 1971 copyright and no other printings listed. This hardcover book measures 10-1/4″ x 7-1/8″ and has 420 pages stuffed with great color photos.
Condition
Use the zoom feature to get a better look at the image above. The dust jacket has edge tears. The boards and pages are in very good condition. No names or other markings. From clean, smoke-free home.
Shipping
Generally sent the same day payment arrives. Unless you request otherwise, I will wrap the book in plastic wrap to help protect it from the elements, create a custom-made cardboard box to ship it in, and send via Media Mail with Delivery Confirmation tracking. See the shipping page for the cost to send a two-pound Media Mail package. Insurance is an additional cost as described. I am delighted to combine postage and insurance costs if you purchase more than one item. The second item may travel for free or just a few cents more — so it’s worth taking a look at my other items before you complete your order.
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