The Story of God |
 |
 click here for more details, find new or used items |
Robert M.L. Winston
|
|
Pages: 352 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 0593054938
Pub: Bantam Press
Pub date: 2005-10-17
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 141809
Reader Reviews:
Really good. (0/0 people found this helpful)
I always enjoy this sort of book and The Story Of God is a good read. An historial view of God from pre-history until the present day wriiten by a scientist.
Really well researched. The readers is made aware that the author knows his stuff!
Good basic but very enjoyable introduction.
Nothing new here at all (4/7 people found this helpful)
I was expecting an in-depth discussion on the possibility that religious beliefs could stem from genetic processes, that biology ultimately dictated religion. I was expecting a mixture of science and religion, one explaining the other. Instead, I was given a history of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, while science and the other major religions were given very little coverage. This is more a book on sociology than science and history than religion. Upon reaching the chapter about Zoroastra, a character I know very little about, I was intrigued, but ultimately disappointed to find very few pages dedicated to him, while the three main monotheistic religions were given nearly a forest worth's coverage. And the conclusion at the end is so cliched, it's not even worthy of the term 'cop-out'.
There is very little in this book that hasn't been covered elsewhere.
A personal journey indeed (2/3 people found this helpful)
The research is extensive and the description spans most known religions. However the style is sometimes approximative and repetitive. In addition, you can't but feel that personal beliefs have dictated the tone of the book: the bible seems to be the only true book and only one monotheist religion is worthy. Christian martyrs are compared to suicide bombers and the pope is certainly not a favourite. I was probably expecting a more descriptive account, without any presonal interference. But then again I might be biased myself.
Personal journey it is (1/2 people found this helpful)
The subtitle is appropriate. Although the research is extensive and the content spans most known religions, the style is sometimes approximate and the comments are certainly very personal. It sometimes reads as Bible is best and only one monotheist religion is truth. Christian martyrs are alonside suicide bombers, and the pope is certainly not a favourite. Then again I was probably looking for something more scientific or more theological. Or I might be partial myself...
Definitely worth it (9/10 people found this helpful)
A good place to start if you are interested in the history of religion and especially of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The book is written in a comprehensible fashion, rarely boring and at times even gripping. Unfortunately the style isn't always immaculate, and some more editing certainly would have done no harm (too many repetitions of phrases or entire paragraphs). Also, although by and large the author is careful to explain the most important points at great length, the reader is sometimes left alone when he least expects it (e.g. in the story about the schism between sunni and shi'ite muslims). Nevertheless, a must-read unless you are already well-versed in your own religion and at least one or two others.
Similar Products
The Human Mind and How to Make the Most of it
Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Religious Studies -> Nature & Existence of God
Books -> Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Religious Studies -> Science & Religion
Books -> Subjects -> Society, Politics & Philosophy -> Philosophy -> Topics -> Religion -> Nature & Existence of God
Books -> Subjects -> Science & Nature -> Popular Science -> Authors A-Z -> V-W -> Winston, Robert
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Hardcover
Books -> Refinements -> Condition (condition-type)