Book Review: A Little History Of Religion by Richard Holloway

From Hinduism to Scientology and everything in between, Richard Holloway’s potted guide to world religions attempts to explain what religion is and where it came from.

As a former bishop who lost his faith, Holloway is a uniquely qualified and respectful guide. He neither preaches nor mocks, but objectively chronicles the origins of each religion, sets out its basic tenets and puts it in context.

Whether you’re a believer or a non-believer, this little book is a fascinating read. And at a time when religious attitudes seem to be hardening and religious violence is on the increase, it’s a timely reminder that, despite our differences, we have more in common than we think.

Rather than advocating religion per se, or one religion over another, Holloway urges us to be curious about yet tolerant of each other.

We’re all going to the same place; we’ve just got different ways of getting there.

Published by Yale University Press