Religion & Mythology

In The Odyssey, Penelope - daughter of King Icarius of Sparta, and the cousin of the beautiful Helen of Troy - is portrayed as the quintessential faithful wife. Atwood's dazzling retelling of the old myth is as haunting as it is wise and compassionate, as disturbing as it is entertaining. She gives the story new life and reality.

At the end of his life, an old man waits in his office for a stranger to arrive. Over the next few weeks, Teiresias will visit again, making his way across Hampstead Heath to relate the story of his life. First published 2007.

According to Ovid, when Iphis' mother fell pregnant, her husband threatened to kill the child if it was a girl, so when Iphis was born her mother raised her as a boy. The gods transformed Iphis into a man so that she could wed the love of her life.Ali Smith creates a story that leaps across the centuries to bring the myth alive again. First published 2007.

"The Gnostics" brilliantly illuminates the mystical movement that teaches knowledge of God rather than unquestioning faith. In today's multicultural world, the Gnostic doctrine of personal over organised religion is growing hugely in influence. This book helps you: discover the myths and practices of this ancient movement; follow the path of Gnosticism through the triumphs and tragedies of the Cathars, the Manichaeans and, in today's Iraq, the Mandaeans; and, witness the dramatic discoveries of the Gnostic gospels - including the G... read more

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Could the violence in the Old Testament still be influencing the Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity, Islam – of todays Yes it could, says Julie Hunter, particularly if the Old Testament is believed as historical fact and the Word of God. Investigating other Near Eastern myths, particularly the creation myth of Sumer (Iraq), she found a completely different way of looking at life. Instead of sin and punishment, this myth emphasised unity and balance: heaven with earth, divinity with humanity, men with women. The s... read more

During his lifetime, internationally celebrated New Zealand thinker and author Lloyd Geering has published numerous thought-provoking books on the nature of religious belief - and has also been tried for heresy (in 1967). This book critiques Geering's now well-known religious atheism in terms of its philosophical underpinnings. The authors look at the justifications of 'Geeringism', in particular his rejection of the cognitive content (and other aspects) of Christian belief, and illuminate not only the specifics of his approach... read more

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Is religion toxic or tonic? Is it a force for good or for evil? The answer is 'all of the above' - which is to say that religion is a force far too powerful to be ignored. God is Not One is the essential guide to learning about and understanding religion and its place in our global culture today, written for religious and non-religious people alike, and for people in between. Stephen Prothero's fresh and controversial argument that the great religions present us with different paths up different mountains creates a new context for ... read more

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The enormous popularity of books by Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris and others shows that despite the religious revival that is under way in many parts of the world, there is widespread confusion about the nature of religious truth. The militant atheism we are witnessing at present is a historical phenomenon, a product of modernity. This groundbreaking book will examine this Western recoil from religion in an historical context, showing how our rational, scientific culture has distorted the notion of religious fai... read more

Here for the first time is a complete history of the world, from the beginning of time to the present day, based on the beliefs and writings of the secret societies. From the esoteric account of the evolution of the species to the occult roots of science, from the secrets of the Flood to the esoteric motives behind American foreign policy, here is a narrative history that shows the basic facts of human existence on this planet can be viewed from a very different angle. Everything in this history is upside down, inside out and the o... read more

How did Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism come to be the world's dominant religions? What are the real beliefs of Islam, and the different branches within it? Who were the key figures of Judaism? And how are religious beliefs shaping today's world conflicts?"Beliefs that Changed the World" will answer the key questions about the great religions, from Bahai to Unitarianism, via Jainism, Mormonism, Shinto and the major branches of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. Not only will this book explain what the d... read more

For centuries, unicorns have inspired, enchanted and eluded humanity. The beast appears in the Old Testament and there was a brisk trade in unicorn parts in medieval times, with travellers regularly reporting sightings into the modern era. But by the early 20th century scientists had conceded that the unicorn never existed. It turns out they were a little hasty. Where did the unicorn come from, and how was it accepted as a part of the animal kingdom for so long? Chris Lavers argues that although the unicorn of our imagination isn't... read more

"A Book of Uncommon Prayer" is a collection of spiritual and devotional texts, drawn from both inside and outside the limits of the world's religious traditions. It is organized with attention to the occasions of prayer, prayerful thought, and meditation. In an age marked at once by religious violence and the falling away of orthodox religious observance in the West, here is a book that recognizes - and demonstrates - the universality of prayer.

"A Book of Uncommon Prayer" is a collection of spiritual and devotional texts, drawn from both inside and outside the limits of the world's religious traditions. Intended for believers and non-believers alike, it is organized with attention to the occasions of prayer, prayerful thought, and meditation. "A Book of Uncommon Prayer" is built around the idea that in an age marked at once by religious violence and the falling away of orthodox religious observance in the wealthy countries of the West, genuine spiritual curiosity is on th... read more

A guide to the diverse belief system of the ancient Egyptians. It traces the stages of life from conception to the existence beyond the tomb. It gives particular emphasis to the hazardous voyage of the soul. It focuses on key themes such as creation, magic, ritual and eternity.

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Atheism is one of the most important movements in modern Western culture. For the last two hundred years, it seemed to be on the verge of eliminating religion as an outmoded and dangerous superstition. Recent years, however, have witnessed the decline of disbelief and a rise in religious/spiritual devotion throughout the world. In this highly readable book, the distinguished historian and theologian, Alister McGrath examines what went wrong with the atheist dream and explains why religion and faith are destined to play a central ro... read more

From the life of the prophet Muhammed to the crusades, from the Ottoman empire to the Iranian revolution and beyond, the influence of Islam in the world has been profound and continuous over nearly 1500 years. The Rough Guide History of Islam puts the evolution and great diversification of Islamic thought and religious practice into historical context. Using a continuous time-line, maps, quotations, sidebars and numerous illustrations, the author covers culture and society thoughtfully, thoroughly and readably.