The Concise History of World Religions continues the Concise History series with an authoritative and comprehensive take on major religions and lesser-known faiths of all times and nations. No other text combines the illustrations expertise of National Geographic with the historical focus on faiths—large and small—across the world. Up-to-date scholarship offers a unique global perspective on the history of faith in the Americas; Europe; Asia and Oceania; and Africa and the Middle East. This is religion presented as history; in the objective manner in which the National Geographic Society excels. Lavish illustrations illuminate the faithful; their houses of worship; and the articles and artifacts of faith. From the great cathedrals to the colorful robes of Buddhist monks to horrors of the Spanish inquisition to the astonishingly intricate paintings of the Hindu gods; the illustrations tell as much of the story as the text. There is nothing else quite like National Geographic's special Concise History series: the time line format combines geography; chronology; and subject area in one complete; but easy-to-understand grid. The 80 timelines with their more than 3;500 entries; plus short articles and feature spreads make it the perfect quick-dip reference; 110 sidebars amplify the illustrated time lines and highlight monuments of faith; words of religious transcendence; and lives of piety and sacrifice; 50 feature essays explore in detail the origins; development and influence of faith; 325 images document all aspects of the religious experience; from architecture and icons to exemplary individuals and acts of devotion; and quotes throughout chapters are drawn from prayers and sermons that embody the religious attitudes of each era. The Concise History of World Religions is a fantastic journey with National Geographic; following the rise and fall of faiths across centuries and around the world. It's a book as beautiful as it is useful; as authoritative as it is entertaining. A book to buy; to give; to treasure.
#395627 in Books 2013-03-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.00 x 1.67 x 7.00l; 3.75 #File Name: 14214105831048 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Not What It Could Be; Important Work NonethelessBy Garry BoulardGive Burlingame credit. It's doubtful that anyone in a nation of people who want to write biographies of Lincoln will ever be able to match the author's grasp of detail; nuance; and larger meaning. This is obviously the book upon which other Lincoln books in the future will work off of.But the clear strengths of this book may also be its weaknesses. Burlingame is so preoccupied with every minute of Lincoln's life that he very often; perhaps inadvertently; minimizes the many fascinating historical figures that play a pivotal part in Lincoln's career and presidency.Big names like Zachariah Chandler; Schuyler Colfax; and Ambrose Burnside come and go without much explanation as to who they were; how they got to where they were; and why they mattered.This "all-Lincoln; all the time" approach gives us a one-sentence reference to John Breckinridge's third party campaign for the presidency in 1860 in Burlingame's first volume; surely an odd dismissal considering that without Breckinridge's candidacy there almost certainly would have never been a Lincoln presidency.There is also the strange omission of John Tyler from Burlingame's reference to the famous failed early 1861 Peace Conference. Lincoln did indeed meet with delegates to that conference; including the former president. But while Burlingame mentions who some of these men were; he leaves out Tyler completely.Surely whenever a man who is about to be president; and one who has already been; find themselves in the same room; as Lincoln and Tyler were; it's worthy of note. In Burlingame's account; its as though Tyler wasn't there at all.Burlingame additionally seems to go out of his way to denigrate those classified as Lincoln's foes. He tell us that on Inaugural Day; outgoing President Buchanan was looking "rather feeble;" and was "anxiety-ridden; nerve-wracked;" before adding "the sad-faced; white-haired incumbent aroused pity for he seemed friendless and abandoned. By contrast the black-haired; younger Lincoln; though looking somewhat awkward; radiated confidence and energy."Burlingame; of course; has a right to interpret who looked like what; but the words of Charles Francis Adams; reporting on his observations of this same scene; suggest a rather different perspective. "In spite of the wry neck and dubious eye; the outgoing President was; to my mind; undoubtedly the more presentable of the two; his tall; large figure; and white head looked well beside Mr. Lincoln's lank; angular form and hirsute face."After awhile; this sort of thing gets a little tiring. Lincoln is always right; always transcendent; always the only thing that matters. Hardly anyone else is worthy of mention or explanation; and that applies especially to those who would be regarded as Lincoln's political foes.Doris Kearn Goodwin's "Team of Rivals" is; in this regard; a more compelling work of history simply because she crafts a stage large enough to accommodate many other performers; and in that context; allows them an occasional spotlight.In the end Burlingame's two books comprise less a satisfying biography and more a valuable almanac for what Lincoln was doing on any given day. This is no small thing. In fact; it's a huge thing. While Burlingame's two volumes are often absent the interlocking supportive narrative of others; he has amassed a masterful collection of the Lincoln record; in and of itself;0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. TremendousBy Jay GregoryThis volume covers Lincoln's train tour to his Inauguration in Washington in March 1861 through his presidency to his assassination in April 1865. As I mention in my review of volume #1; Dr. Burlingame is a dedicated Lincoln scholar; and thus this bio is very thorough; and since it is so scholarly 50% of the text involves public reception of Lincoln's various speeches and political maneuvers. This provides great insight into how audacious Lincoln was in ignoring his cabinet; uniting his party; and goading his reluctant West-Point generals into action during the Civil War. As such; it can be droll at times; but it is nonetheless a stirring read; but perhaps it might be a better second biography after reading a less-dense version in order to establish a baseline understanding of Lincoln's life.The first volume covers the first 51 years of President Lincoln's life in 750ish pages (endnotes not withstanding); this volume covers the last 4 years and 2 months of his life in 840ish pages. This volume is perhaps even more readable as Lincoln's life as President was better documented. This volume reads even quicker.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. How could this be surpassed??By J. WilsonI've been interested in the Civil War era since I was a boy; I've read a number of books; fine books; about Lincoln. Burlingame's two-volume biography is in its own class. Time after time; I've marveled at the background information he was providing for the first time. I was struck first with the genuinely insightful way in which the Author wrote of Lincoln's youth; formative experiences; relations with his father. I can't remember ever getting from another author the kind of insights offred here into Stephen Douglas; the Lincoln-Douglas debates came alive here for me as never before. Nor do I ever remember the issues between the North and the South expressed and explained with such clarity.Lincoln is a most worthy subject of study; there is nothing more rewarding than devoting the time and effort to master this book.
