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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
slow-paced
The writing was so unbelievably dry and lifeless
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I reserve one-star ratings for books I don't finish.
First, the writing is just coherent, no better.
Second, Armstrong makes a lot of assumptions without telling the reader that she's making them. For example, she claims that the Old Testament was edited/partly authored by "P," who championed the Jewish priestly tradition. This may or may not be the case. However, it is not agreed to by all or even most scholars, among whom there are several theories about the biblical authors. It is disingenuous to assume it as fact rather than present it as one possible theory in an argument that claims to be objective. This is one example of many such assumptions.
Since I know her arguments about Christianity are flawed in this way, I do not trust her statements about other religions, about which I know less. And since the book is both a slog to read and apparently full of BS, I'll spend my time reading something else.
First, the writing is just coherent, no better.
Second, Armstrong makes a lot of assumptions without telling the reader that she's making them. For example, she claims that the Old Testament was edited/partly authored by "P," who championed the Jewish priestly tradition. This may or may not be the case. However, it is not agreed to by all or even most scholars, among whom there are several theories about the biblical authors. It is disingenuous to assume it as fact rather than present it as one possible theory in an argument that claims to be objective. This is one example of many such assumptions.
Since I know her arguments about Christianity are flawed in this way, I do not trust her statements about other religions, about which I know less. And since the book is both a slog to read and apparently full of BS, I'll spend my time reading something else.
informative
slow-paced
This book is really well researched, though she has a tendency to generalize about Islam a bit more often then with Judaism or Christianity. The writing style is not particularly accessible and I think if I wasn’t already familiar with the various schools of thought it would be had to keep track. These are problems that honestly could have been solved by an editor and some sub-headings.
I suggest this book to those at like an intermediate level of knowledge about the topic. If you are a beginner and go ahead and read it anyway, there is a glossary at the end! I would review that before reading the book. If any one is looking for somewhere to start on this topic I would suggest:
Religions of the ancient Mediterranean (podcast)
Oxford Very Short Introductions (short books)
The Jewish Study Bible (copy of the tanakh/Hebrew bible with excellent footnote explanation)
I suggest this book to those at like an intermediate level of knowledge about the topic. If you are a beginner and go ahead and read it anyway, there is a glossary at the end! I would review that before reading the book. If any one is looking for somewhere to start on this topic I would suggest:
Religions of the ancient Mediterranean (podcast)
Oxford Very Short Introductions (short books)
The Jewish Study Bible (copy of the tanakh/Hebrew bible with excellent footnote explanation)
It's really interesting to see how Homo Sapiens have tried to create their projections and understanding of theistic God (monotheism) and how that image of God have evolved due to changing external factors and needs of time (to fulfill the anthropological and psycholgical, or intellectual needs of particular period and group of people).
Overall, book does a good job of what it sets out to do so - how conception and evolution of monotheism happened in Homo sapiens.
Recommended along with Power of Myth by Campbell and Evolution of God by Robert Wright.
Note: I read Blinklist summary of book because I was aware of thesis that would be presented having been exposed to other books of author and Joseph Campbell.
Overall, book does a good job of what it sets out to do so - how conception and evolution of monotheism happened in Homo sapiens.
Recommended along with Power of Myth by Campbell and Evolution of God by Robert Wright.
Note: I read Blinklist summary of book because I was aware of thesis that would be presented having been exposed to other books of author and Joseph Campbell.
informative
slow-paced
Confession - I did not finish this. It started blissfully, a beautifully written and well annotated history of the Judaic/Christian/Islamic faiths full of fascinating insight.
But even then progress was slow. And that slow progress shifted from worthwhile absorption as with behemoths from Tolstoy and Dickens to tedious page counting and lost thoughts.
I've made an effort, but I've taken "breaks" with at least six other books since starting this and I have to call it quits.
My advice is: read the chapters up through the establishment of Islam and peak in at the ending. You will learn a lot.
Everything else is elliptic philosophical garbage. No offense philosophers, but you take a grand idea, a jewel of thought, and record it on a broken record so the end result is something like "Revolution Number 9".
But even then progress was slow. And that slow progress shifted from worthwhile absorption as with behemoths from Tolstoy and Dickens to tedious page counting and lost thoughts.
I've made an effort, but I've taken "breaks" with at least six other books since starting this and I have to call it quits.
My advice is: read the chapters up through the establishment of Islam and peak in at the ending. You will learn a lot.
Everything else is elliptic philosophical garbage. No offense philosophers, but you take a grand idea, a jewel of thought, and record it on a broken record so the end result is something like "Revolution Number 9".
informative
slow-paced
Book is very slow pace and extremely wide scope. The cover has references to NY Times, Washington Post, TST and Times, which is misleading- the book is definitely not aimed at the general public, or even people who are interested in deeping their toes in religious history. Book reminded me a lot of the typical university textbook- good structure and a lot of information but very boring and uses excessive vocabulary for no reason.
Would only recommend this book if you are very interested in history of religion and would like to connect the pieces of monotheism into one large picture.
Would only recommend this book if you are very interested in history of religion and would like to connect the pieces of monotheism into one large picture.