The Great Transformation

The Beginning of Our Religious Traditions

By Karen Armstrong | Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

About the book

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • An extraordinary investigation of a critical moment in the evolution of religious thought—from the New York Times bestselling author of A History of God and The Spiral Staircase

“A splendid book.... Lucid, highly readable.... Relevant to a world still embroiled in military conflict and sectarian hatreds.” —The New York Times


In the ninth century BCE, events in four regions of the civilized world led to the rise of religious traditions that have endured to the present day—development of Confucianism and Daoism in China, Hinduism and Buddhism in India, monotheism in Israel, and philosophical rationalism in Greece. Armstrong, one of our most prominent religious scholars, examines how these traditions began in response to the violence of their time. Studying figures as diverse as the Buddha and Socrates, Confucius and Jeremiah, Armstrong reveals how these still enduring philosophies can help address our contemporary problems.

Editions of The Great Transformation

Hardcover
ISBN 9780676974652
Hardcover
ISBN 9780375413179
Hardcover
ISBN 9780739326190
Paperback
ISBN 9780385721240
Paperback
ISBN 9780676974669
EBook
ISBN 9780307264701
EBook
ISBN 9780307371430
Audiobook
ISBN 9781415927472
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9781415932087
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9781415950890
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9780739325339
AudioDisc
ISBN 9781415927489
AudioDisc
ISBN 9780739325322

Read an Excerpt

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • An extraordinary investigation of a critical moment in the evolution of religious thought—from the New York Times bestselling author of A History of God and The Spiral Staircase

“A splendid book.... Lucid, highly readable.... Relevant to a world still embroiled in military conflict and sectarian hatreds.” —The New York Times


In the ninth century BCE, events in four regions of the civilized world led to the rise of religious traditions that have endured to the present day—development of Confucianism and Daoism in China, Hinduism and Buddhism in India, monotheism in Israel, and philosophical rationalism in Greece. Armstrong, one of our most prominent religious scholars, examines how these traditions began in response to the violence of their time. Studying figures as diverse as the Buddha and Socrates, Confucius and Jeremiah, Armstrong reveals how these still enduring philosophies can help address our contemporary problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Great Transformation about?

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • An extraordinary investigation of a critical moment in the evolution of religious thought—from the New York Times bestselling author of A History of God and The Spiral Staircase

“A splendid book.... Lucid, highly readable.... Relevant to a world still embroiled in military conflict and sectarian hatreds.” —The New York Times


In the ninth century BCE, events in four regions of the civilized world led to the rise of religious traditions that have endured to the present day—development of Confucianism and Daoism in China, Hinduism and Buddhism in India, monotheism in Israel, and philosophical rationalism in Greece. Armstrong, one of our most prominent religious scholars, examines how these traditions began in response to the violence of their time. Studying figures as diverse as the Buddha and Socrates, Confucius and Jeremiah, Armstrong reveals how these still enduring philosophies can help address our contemporary problems.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Great Transformation?

Philosophy and Religion > Religion and beliefs > Religion: general > History of religion

Where can I read a sample of The Great Transformation?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780676974652

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Great Transformation?

Karen Armstrong

Who is the Publisher of the book The Great Transformation?

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

The Great Transformation is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780676974652) and hardcover(ISBN 9780375413179) and hardcover(ISBN 9780739326190) and paperback(ISBN 9780385721240) and paperback(ISBN 9780676974669) and ebook(ISBN 9780307264701) and ebook(ISBN 9780307371430) and audiobook(ISBN 9781415927472) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781415932087) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781415950890) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780739325339) and audiodisc(ISBN 9781415927489) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780739325322)

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