Related Books: Comparative Religion

This third volume by the "historian of religions, who died in April 1986, . . . examines the later developments of Jewish thought, the spread of Christianity, and the rise and diffusion of Islam. . . . {It concludes with a} bibliographical analysis, 'Present Position of Studies.'" (Libr J) Annotated chapter bibliographies. Index. Originally published in France in 1983. For volume one see BRD 1979.

 The Reader's Catalog
A monumental work, one of the crowning achievements of the great Romanian scholar who died in 1986. In these three volumes Eliade traces religious development from prehistory to the Reformation

This volume completes the immensely learned three-volume A History of Religious Ideas. Eliade examines the movement of Jewish thought out of ancient Eurasia, the Christian transformation of the Mediterranean area and Europe, and the rise and diffusion of Islam from approximately the sixth through the seventeenth centuries.

 T.M. Paucelik - Choice  
Eliade's many years of learned research and scholarship are distilled forthe literature student (graduate and upper-division undergraduate) of religion. His special insight and emphasis, as might be expected, is more on the influence and integration into religious history of the phenomena of 'heterodoxies, heresies, mythologies, and popular practices such as sorcery, alchemy, and esotericism.'. . . {This is a} veritable encyclopedia of information. . . . Very readable translation. Highly recommended for all scholars and any serious student of religion.
 
A.M. Piatigorsky - The Times Literary Supplement  
Is it possible, as Eliade maintains, to treat a 'historic and historical'religion in terms of eternal, ahistorical patterns, structures and tendencies? . . . From Eliade's own point of view his methodology is, as it were, scientific, whereas from mine it derives from his religious position. . . . It is inthe later chapters (which have nothing to do with Christianity) that Eliade is most in his element, and where his insights are, as usual, brilliant and penetrating.
 
Library Journal  
This third volume by the preeminent historian of religions, who died in April 1986, concludes his masterly survey of the field. The arrangement of the volumes is roughly chronological. This volume examines the later developments of Jewish thought, the spread of Christianity, and the rise and diffusion of Islam. Like the other two volumes, it reflects the author's interest in folk beliefs, heresies, and cults of secret wisdom. It concludes with a long and extremely useful bibliographical analysis, ``Present Position of Studies.'' As the crowning achievement to an unparalleled scholarly career this series of books represents a valuable synthesis for specialists and generalists alike. Paul E. Muller-Ortega, Religious Studies Dept., Michigan State Univ., East Lansing
 
Harry B. Partin - The Christian Century  
How does one write a history of religious ideas? Eliade chose to focus on moments and movements in which religious creativity has found expression. He gives attention not only to the major religions but also to less familiar religious creations. Eliade has been most insightful, influential and, one could add, most interesting when writing about the latter. The present volume is no exception. While he presents the religious creativity of Luther, Calvin and other Reformers clearly, he is at his best when writing about, say, Meister Echart, popular piety, pre-Christian survivals, and the vogue of Hermetism before and after the Reformation. . . . {The author has} contributed immeasurablyto our understanding of the nature and varieties of religious experience.