The Religions Book

Big Ideas Simply Explained

By: DK

Narrated by: James Bryce

Length: 16 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

This essential guide to religion, narrated by James Bryce, explains the key tenets and big ideas behind the world's five main religions - Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism - alongside newer faiths.

The Religions Book clearly explains the key concepts behind the earliest religious beliefs right up to the world's newest faiths, getting to the heart of what it means to believe with jargon-free descriptions that encapsulate every aspect of religious thinking. Examine major historical developments and ideas with a universal timeline, providing a global perspective on the origins and major events that have contributed to the growth and spread of religion and spirituality.

Along with the teaching highlights of pre-eminent figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Saint Paul, and Al-Ghazali, you'll also find a handy reference section featuring a road map to all the branches of the major faiths and the points of doctrine or tradition on which they differ. Modern alternative religions and spiritual beliefs from around the world are also explored and set into the context of the political, social, and cultural climates from which they emerged.

Compelling and accessible, The Religions Book audiobook is the perfect guide for students of religious studies or anyone interested in the ideas of ancient and present-day faiths and religious philosophies.

©2013 Dorling Kindersley Ltd (P)2019 DK Audio

Critic reviews

"[The Big Ideas Simply Explained books] are beautifully illustrated with shadow-like cartoons that break down even the most difficult concepts so they are easier to grasp. These step-by-step diagrams are an incredibly clever learning device to include, especially for visual learners." (Examiner.com)

"[The Religions Book is] at once egalitarian and open-minded, ideal for a visually oriented student of religion or anyone interested in scrambling up the mountainside of human spirituality and taking in the panoramic views." (BookPage)

Often repetitive information got a bit tedious,

The audiobook at 16 1/2 hours, there was a lot covered, but sometimes I really wanted more and instead got a synopsis of what I had just heard. The repetitive information got a bit tedious. Overall, a good overview to provide basic background, beliefs, and timeline. Learned a lot and it did answer some questions I had, although not sure I will retain it all. I liked the quality of the narration. The "Directory" chapter, while mostly repeating what was already said, is at least a concise listing for reference.

Great Overview of Religions

This book served as a terrific crash course into understanding religion. The conciseness helped stick to main points and there's even overview into modern religions and denominations of each of the major world religions.

A Great Overview to Learn Different Religions

Plenty of details in each explanation. I wanted to learn more about the religions of the world, and I did!

Good Luck

Very good book..simply just facts and how things came about. But to find were you belong as in faith, religion, your journey in finding God I wish you the best of luck.

I’m a better person after listening to this

The whole of modern humanity needs to listen to this audiobook. It will promote more love and acceptance of each other and help people find belief systems that will empower them from the depths of their soul. Thank you to DK for producing this audiobook.

Boring and hard to understand narrator

I love history and find religions fascinating so it's hard to believe someone could write a book on this topic that is boring. But it is. Horribly boring. It reads like a textbook.
The narrator has a very strange English accent that is difficult to understand.