• Religions of the World

  • Judaism, Taoism, Christianity, Primal Religions, Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam, Hinduism
  • By: Huston Smith
  • Narrated by: Huston Smith
  • Length: 12 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (198 ratings)

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Religions of the World  By  cover art

Religions of the World

By: Huston Smith
Narrated by: Huston Smith
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Publisher's summary

For half of the 20th century, Huston Smith covered the world seeking answers to the supreme questions in life: Why are we here? What do we really want? What does it all mean?

From humble village temples to glinting mosques and towering cathedrals, Smith has uncovered the spiritual treasures buried beneath thousands of years of historical and scientific distortions. Now, in his own words, Smith shares the true story of his epic search for the seeds of wisdom in Religions of the World.

Huston Smith's intent is to awaken the fullness of our humanity - to encourage us to break free from the narrow corridors of orthodox theology and awaken us to the values and beliefs that allow us to triumph as people and as cultures. For this is not the story of religious institutions but of the eternal truths that inspire them, as viewed through the eyes of this great scholar, teacher, and author.

With Huston Smith as your personal guide, you will examine the defining perspectives within the world's central religions - the teachings that have touched his own life directly - and learn how these traditions differ while retaining a common interior language that speaks to our highest aspirations. Religions of the World looks beyond information, beyond doctrine and dogma, into the wisdom at the very heart of these great traditions: Taoism, Christianity, Judaism, primal religions, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Islam.

Here is perhaps the greatest story ever told: how religion comes alive and lights the way with a sacred flame, bringing the secret of joy into the darkest corners of the human soul.

©2007 Huston Smith (P)2007 Huston Smith

What listeners say about Religions of the World

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    2 out of 5 stars

Audio bad and not even the right book.

there is an updated 50th anniversary edition that is much better but not on audible.

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20 people found this helpful

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Excellent but it wasn't the book....

If you could sum up Religions of the World in three words, what would they be?

Title/audiobook don't match

Any additional comments?

The audiobook is NOT Religions of the World, by Huston Smith. It is a series of lectures given by him. I listened to the lectures and they were wonderful. But, it wasn't what I ordered. In fact, in the lectures, Smith recommends and refers to his book! I don't regret listening to it but I sure would like to have the actual book on audio.

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18 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Terrific basic overview of each religion

What about Huston Smith’s performance did you like?

Nice, slow, clear presentation, set out like a study course. I've wanted to read his book forever, but felt the subject work too daunting. This format was perfect. I like when the author also narrates, as he knows when to go slow, & where to place an emphasis. I find other narrators often "speed read", without allowing the information to "sink in".

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13 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Positive look at the top world religions.

My goal is listening to this book was to enlighten my self about the religions of the rest of the world. I was born and live in what is called the "Bible Belt" of the USA Shreveport my home is the buckle. I understand much more now. Thank you Mr. Houston.
Terrell Methvin

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Satisfies the soul!

Such a good book! Loved every minute of it! Smith has such a musical voice.

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3 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Great source of information, bad narrator.

The context of this religious study is great. It has a massive wealth of information that delves into the major religions of the world. However, the author and narrator Huston Smith was horrible choice to use. I'm not sure if it is because this is a lecture and not really a book or that no one else would do it, but his slow speech and low voice make this a very difficult listen. If you get this I would recommend listening to it at 2x the speed.

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3 people found this helpful

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Very good insight

I found this to be a great book with wonderful insights. I would not recommend it as a first book to learn about world religions but it provides a lot of interesting perspectives if you already have a basic knowledge of the great religions. One tip: listen on 1.5-2x speed as Dr. Smith speaks very slowly :)

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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great overview

I used the cassette version of this program long ago as a way to study for a CLEP exam, send padded the exam. It's a great overview.

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Charming exploration, disagree with his conclusion

Huston Smith recorded these lectures just a few years before his death. Listening to him personally talk about his explorations of world religions is interesting and charming. His recounting of his experiences with gurus, Buddhist monks, swamis, Sioux chiefs, etc. are highly engaging and informative. Aside from my theological disagreements with his conclusions (as a Latter-day Saint), Prothero and many others have disagreed sharply with Smith's premises and conclusions. Anyone who reads Smith should also have to read Prothero, particularly "God is Not One." But still I would recommend Huston Smith as a good introduction to other religious worldviews.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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try another

Got this audio due to several star ratings. Author narrates. I wasn't able to continue listening to his verbal reading.

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1 person found this helpful