A History of God
  • Published: 30 June 2011
  • ISBN: 9781446468661
  • Imprint: Vintage Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 560

A History of God

Formats & editions
Paperback
5 Feb 1999
EBook
30 Jun 2011
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The bestselling and seminal work from one of our foremost commentators on religion.

The idea of a single devine being - God, Yahweh, Allah - has existed for over 4,000 years. But the history of God is also the history of human struggle. While Judaism, Islam and Christianity proclaim the goodness of God, organised religion has too often been the catalyst for violence and ineradicable prejudice.

In this fascinating, extensive and original account of the evolution of belief, Karen Armstrong examines Western society's unerring fidelity to this idea of One God and the many conflicting convictions it engenders. A controversial, extraordinary story of worship and war, A History of God confronts the most fundamental fact - or fiction - of our lives.
  • Published: 30 June 2011
  • ISBN: 9781446468661
  • Imprint: Vintage Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 560
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About the author

Karen Armstrong

Karen Armstrong is one of the world's leading commentators on religious affairs. She spent seven years as a Roman Catholic nun, but left her teaching order in 1969 to read English at St Anne's College, Oxford. In 1982, she became a full time writer and broadcaster. She is a best-selling author of over 16 books. A passionate campaigner for religious liberty, Armstrong has addressed members of the United States Congress and participated in the World Economic Forum. In 2013 she recieved the British Academy's inaugural Nayef Al-Rodhan Prize for improving transcultural understanding.

portrait photo of Karen Armstrong

Also by Karen Armstrong

Religion
The Lost Art of Scripture
Sacred Nature
Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life
Fields of Blood
In the Beginning
The Case for God
See all

Praise for A History of God

A splendidly readable book...the stage is set for the question: has God a future?

Sister Wendy Beckett, Sunday Times

An enormously intellectually challenging book. A fascinating way of approaching the subject

Rabbi Julia Neuberger

Armstrong shows a reverent curiosity and a generosity of spirit, refreshing the understanding of what one knows and providing a clear introduction to the unfamiliar

Rt Revd Robert Runcie, Daily Telegraph

Armstrong's book has great merits. An ex-nun, this formidably intelligent woman knows enough about both Judaism and Islam to be appreciated by Jewish and Muslim scholars... Whenever she deals with Christian mysticims, agnosticism and heterodoxy, Armstrong offers valuable insights

The Times

Highly readable, and ought to be read

Anthony Burgess, Observer

Only those who think they know it all will fail to be fascinated by Armstrong's search for God

Economist

This is the most fascinating and learned survey of the biggest wild-goose chase in history - the quest for God. Karen Armstrong is a genius

A.N. Wilson

We are all watching a daily fight between the darkness and light. What we want, but may never get, is assurance that the light will prevail. Armstrong is too tough a thinker to offer us comfort there

Anthony Burgess, Observer

Witty, informative and contemplative: Ms Armstrong can simplify complex ideas, but she is never simplistic

New York Times Book Review