Product Review

Presenting both the histories and the prevalent worldviews of the major world religions, Matthews's WORLD RELIGIONS, Sixth Edition, methodically introduces the richness and diversity of these traditions. The "Worldview" sections in particular make this book helpful for comparative analyses of the religions. These sections show how the different religions approach a common set of ten themes that are fundamental to all traditions, including the nature of the Absolute, the place of humans in the world, rituals and symbols, and the prospects for life after death. Furthermore, this text combines insightful, engaging prose with maps, photographs, timelines, excerpts from sacred texts, and other helpful pedagogical aids that provide a comprehensive yet accessible survey of world religions.