We have a very wide range of interviews recommending books on all the world’s major religions, as well as others looking at contemporary and historical religious controversies.
On Christianity, we have interviews covering the history of Christianity, Jesus, the saints and versions of the Bible, amongst others. On Islam, British lawyer Ahmad Thomson talks about the essence of Islam. We also have other interviews on the future of Islam, science and Islam, Islam and feminism and Islam in the West.
Judaism is also covered extensively, with interviews covering Jewish history, Zionism and anti-Zionism, Israel and Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Harris chooses her best books as an introduction to Buddhism and Donald S Lopez also discusses Buddhism.
Beyond that, we have interviews on meditation, premonitions, yoga, being sceptical, faith in politics, multiculturalism, magic, Adam and Eve and religion in China.
Turning to fundamental questions of belief, Edward Feser, associate professor of philosophy at Pasadena City College, chooses his best books on the arguments for the existence of God. Julian Baggini, author of Atheism, A Very Short Introduction, chooses his best books on Atheism and Graham Oppy, professor of philosophy at Monash University chooses his best books on the atheist philosophy of religion.
Author Kenan Malik looks at morality without God and Kenneth Miller, a biologist at Brown, chooses his best books on the arguments against creationism. Another biologist, Jerry Coyne, talks about the incompatibility of religion and science. Last, we have Andrew Copson choosing his best books on humanism.
The Best Books on the History of Christianity, recommended by Diarmaid MacCulloch
How can one get to grips with a subject as huge as the history of Christianity, a 2000 year-old religion with adherents in every corner of the globe? The popular and distinguished Oxford historian, Diarmaid MacCulloch, recommends books that will help you make a start.
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The Puritan Origins of the American Self
by Sacvan Bercovitch -
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When Time Shall Be No More: Prophecy Belief in Modern American Culture
by Paul Boyer -
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American Apocalypse: A History of Modern Evangelicalism
by Matthew Sutton -
4
American Fascists: The Christian Right and War in America
by Chris Hedges -
5
Anointed with Oil: How Christianity and Crude Made Modern America.
by Darren Dochuk
The best books on Religion in US Politics, recommended by John H. Smith
The best books on Religion in US Politics, recommended by John H. Smith
Religion is deeply bound up with politics in the United States, in a way that is unique in the developed world and among democratic countries. Here Professor John H. Smith, a historian at Texas A&M University, looks at the historical roots of this phenomenon and its contemporary significance.
The best books on Jewish History, recommended by Gershon Hundert
Gershon Hundert, Leanor Segal Professor of Jewish Studies at McGill University, talks about recent revisions to the conventional understanding of Jewish history and selects the most influential current writing on the subject.
The best books on Islamism, recommended by Malise Ruthven
The war on terror relied on a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of the threat, say author and academic Malise Ruthven. He picks the best books to get a better understanding of Islamism.
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The Lotus Sutra
by Tsugunari Kubo and Akira Yuyama (traslators) -
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Introduction to the History of Indian Buddhism
by Eugène Burnouf -
3
Bones, Stones, and Buddhist Monks
by Gregory Schopen -
4
Words of My Perfect Teacher
by Patrul Rinpoche -
5
Monkey King: Journey to the West
Wu Cheng'en and Julia Lovell (translator)
The best books on Buddhism, recommended by Donald S Lopez Jr
The best books on Buddhism, recommended by Donald S Lopez Jr
What is the Buddhist equivalent of the Bible? What is the Dalai Lama’s favourite book? Buddhist scholar Donald Lopez picks the best books on Buddhism.
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The Religious Question in Modern China
by Vincent Goossaert and David Palmer -
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Qigong Fever
by David Palmer -
3
The Missionary's Curse and Other Tales from a Chinese Catholic Village
by Henrietta Harrison -
4
Zen Baggage: A Pilgrimage to China
by Bill Porter -
5
Democracy’s Dharma: Religious Renaissance and Political Development in Taiwan
by Richard Madsen
The best books on Religion in China, recommended by Ian Johnson
The best books on Religion in China, recommended by Ian Johnson
China is a religious country with all kinds of faiths being practised across its vast territories—despite Mao’s attempts to eradicate them. The Chinese Communist Party tolerates a variety of religions but continues to grapple with the potential challenge they pose to its authority. Prize-winning journalist Ian Johnson introduces the best books on the complex topic of religion in China.
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Why I am not a Christian
by Bertrand Russell -
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The Miracle of Theism: Arguments For and Against the Existence of God
by John Mackie -
3
Testament: Memoir of the Thoughts and Sentiments of Jean Meslier
by Jean Meslier -
4
Dialogues and Natural History of Religion
by David Hume -
5
In Gods We Trust: The Evolutionary Landscape of Religion
by Scott Atran
The best books on Atheist Philosophy of Religion, recommended by Graham Oppy
The best books on Atheist Philosophy of Religion, recommended by Graham Oppy
From the work of an 18th century atheist priest, to recent research in the cognitive anthropology of religion, atheist philosopher of religion Graham Oppy discusses the books that have been most influential to him.
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Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling
by Richard Lyman Bushman -
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House Full of Females: Plural Marriage and Women’s Rights in Early Mormonism, 1835-1870
by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich -
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Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness
by W. Paul Reeve -
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The Politics of American Religious Identity: The Seating of Senator Reed Smoot, Mormon Apostle
by Kathleen Flake -
5
Sister Saints: Mormon Women Since the End of Polygamy
by Colleen McDannell
The best books on Mormonism, recommended by Benjamin E. Park
The best books on Mormonism, recommended by Benjamin E. Park
Mormonism is an entirely home-grown American religion. Nevertheless, as historian Benjamin E. Park explains, it struggled to win social acceptance in the United States in the 19th and early 20th century and that marginalisation profoundly shaped its development and, to some extent, its doctrines.
The best books on Religious and Social History in the Ancient World, recommended by Robin Lane Fox
Cultural and philosophical changes that occurred in late antiquity are essential to our understanding of the world today, but few us know much about that period. Historian Robin Lane Fox recommends the best books to read to get a good sense of late antiquity.
The Best Augustine Books, recommended by Catherine Conybeare
Christianity has been profoundly influenced by Augustine of Hippo (354-430 CE), but the fifth-century North African bishop has impacted almost every area of western thought: philosophy, theology, political theory, linguistics, and rhetoric. His Confessions is one of the most recommended titles on Five Books, but is it really the first autobiography? Professor Catherine Conybeare introduces us to the life, thought, and personality of this controversial yet brilliant figure. She picks the best books to learn more about St. Augustine and explores how he has been unfairly maligned.
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Plotinus: An Introduction to the Enneads
by Dominic O’Meara -
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Neoplatonism
by Pauliina Remes -
3
Ennead VI.8: On the Voluntary and on the Free Will of the One
by Plotinus, Kevin Corrigan, and John D. Turner -
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On Abstinence from Killing Animals
Porphyry and Gillian Clark (translator) -
5
On Providence
by Proclus and Carlos Steel (translator)
The best books on Neoplatonism, recommended by Ursula Coope
The best books on Neoplatonism, recommended by Ursula Coope
To the modern reader, Neoplatonist thinkers can seem quite alien, but engaging with them helps us to understand ourselves and modern philosophy better, says Ursula Coope, Professor of Ancient Philosophy at the University of Oxford. She recommends five books to introduce readers to Neoplatonist philosophy, starting with Plotinus in the 3rd century.
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A History of the Bible
by John Barton -
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An Introduction to the New Testament
by Raymond E Brown -
3
Jesus the Jew: a Historian’s Reading of the Gospels
by Geza Vermes -
4
The Misunderstood Jew: the Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus
by Amy-Jill Levine -
5
Seeing the Word: Refocusing New Testament Study
by Markus Bockmuehl
The best books on The Bible, recommended by Nicholas King
The best books on The Bible, recommended by Nicholas King
The Bible is not always an easy read—nor is it always obvious how or where to start reading it. Here, Nicholas King, a Jesuit priest and biblical scholar, chooses five books to help you start getting to grips with what is, arguably, the world’s all-time bestselling book.
The best books on Saint Teresa of Avila, recommended by Rowan Williams
St Teresa of Avila was one of the towering figures of the Counter-Reformation, both as a theologian and as a reformer of the religious life. Here, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, discusses her insights into spiritual growth and prayer, the impact her Jewish roots had on her life and career, and why Bernini’s statue of her in ecstasy is unhelpful.
The best books on African Religion and Witchcraft, recommended by Jean Fontaine
The emeritus professor of social anthropology at the London School of Economics and author of Speak of the Devil says the Dinka and the Nuer are famous in anthropology for not being preoccupied with misfortune
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Summa Theologiae, Questions on God
by (ed.) Brian Davies and Brian Leftow -
2
The Thought of Thomas Aquinas
by Brian Davies -
3
Aquinas's Way to God: The Proof in De Ente et Essentia
by Gaven Kerr -
4
The Reality of God and the Problem of Evil
by Brian Davies -
5
Atheism and Theism
by J. J. C. Smart & John Haldane
The best books on Arguments for the Existence of God, recommended by Edward Feser
The best books on Arguments for the Existence of God, recommended by Edward Feser
Is the existence of God incompatible with evil? What is the difference between ‘classical theism’ and ‘theistic personalism’? What is the best argument against there being a God? From Aristotle through Aquinas to the present, philosopher Edward Feser gives an in-depth look at arguments for the existence of God.
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The Skeleton at the Feast
by Elizabeth Carmichael and Chloë Sayer -
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The Days of the Dead
by John Greenleigh and Rosalind Beimler -
3
Día de los Muertos: A Cultural Legacy, Past, Present & Future
Curated by Linda Vallejo and Betty Brown -
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On the Path of Marigolds: Living Traditions of Mexico's Day of the Dead
by Ann Murdy -
5
El Corazon de la Muerte
by Oakland Museum of California
The best books on The Day of The Dead, recommended by Regina Marchi
The best books on The Day of The Dead, recommended by Regina Marchi
As long as they live in our memories, family members and loved ones who have died remain with us. That’s what is celebrated on the Day of the Dead, an indigenous Latin American tradition that survived both Catholic missionaries and the modernizing state to flourish in recent years, featuring in more than one Hollywood blockbuster. Regina Marchi, a professor at Rutgers University and author of Day of the Dead in the USA, talks us through the origins, evolution and contemporary celebrations of the Day of the Dead.
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Islam and the Foundations of Political Power
by Ali Abdel Razek -
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The Muqaddimah
by Ibn Khaldun -
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The Venture of Islam: Conscience and History in a World Civilization. Vol. 3: The Gunpowder Empires and Modern Times
by Marshall G.S. Hodgson -
4
Civil Islam: Muslims and Democratization in Indonesia
by Robert W. Hefner -
5
Muslims and the State in Britain, France, and Germany
by J. Christopher Soper & Joel S. Fetzer
The best books on Islam and the State, recommended by Ahmet T. Kuru
The best books on Islam and the State, recommended by Ahmet T. Kuru
It’s widely assumed that in the ideal Muslim society there is no separation between religion and the state, but even in some of the earliest caliphates, the secular and the religious were rarely as closely aligned as religious conservatives would have us believe. Here Ahmet T. Kuru, Professor of Political Science at San Diego State University, recommends books that help trace the historical relationship between Islam and the state—and points to strands of secularism that may hold the key to a happier relationship between Islam and liberal democracy.
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Greek Thought, Arabic Culture
by Dimitri Gutas -
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Great Medieval Thinkers: Avicenna
by Jon McGinnis -
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Avicenna's 'De Anima' in the Latin West
by Dag Nikolaus Hasse -
4
Maimonides in His World: Portrait of a Mediterranean Thinker
by Sarah Stroumsa -
5
The Teleological Ethics of Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī
by Ayman Shihadeh
The best books on Philosophy in the Islamic World, recommended by Peter Adamson
The best books on Philosophy in the Islamic World, recommended by Peter Adamson
Arabic philosophy was hugely influential during the Islamic Golden Age; at one point, the Persian polymath Avicenna’s influence outstripped that of Aristotle. But a strong tradition has continued in the centuries since, explains Professor Peter Adamson, as he selects five of the best books on the subject.
The best books on Zionism and Anti-Zionism, recommended by Gabriel Piterberg
Israeli historian Gabriel Piterberg tells us about works of scholarship that have challenged the Zionist Israeli narrative of modern history.
The Best Books for Hanukkah, recommended by Dara Horn
Hanukkah means ‘a dedication’ and the celebration of the Jewish holiday towards the end of every year commemorates the success of the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire and the re-consecration of the Temple of Jerusalem in the second century BCE. Here, award-winning novelist Dara Horn recommends books that speak to the powerful themes of Hanukkah and explains why Jewish people are encouraged to light menorahs publicly around the world.
The best books on Humanism, recommended by Andrew Copson
Humanist ideas are not a recent phenomenon, but have been around for millennia, says Andrew Copson, chief executive of Humanists UK. He explains why it’s worth making a positive choice to be a humanist and recommends a great humanist reading list.
The best books on Adam and Eve, recommended by Stephen Greenblatt
Who were Adam and Eve, really? Over many centuries, the origin story has undergone countless transformations. The Pulitzer Prize-winner and Harvard professor Stephen Greenblatt chooses five books that explore the history of Adam and Eve, and tells us why the world isn’t ready to leave the narrative of Eden behind
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The Confessions
by Augustine (translated by Maria Boulding) -
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The Cult of the Saints Its Rise and Function in Latin Christianity
by Peter Brown -
3
Mother of God: A History of the Virgin Mary
by Miri Rubin -
4
Mohawk Saint: Catherine Tekakwitha and the Jesuits
by Allan Greer -
5
Between Heaven and Earth: The Religious Worlds People Make and the Scholars Who Study Them
by Robert Orsi
The best books on The Saints, recommended by Simon Yarrow
The best books on The Saints, recommended by Simon Yarrow
Heroes are universal to human culture and, in Christian culture, they manifested themselves as saints. Historian Simon Yarrow recommends the best books to understand the saints, from their widespread appearance in late antiquity to their continuing influence in modern America.
A N Wilson recommends the best Christian Books
The British writer, A.N. Wilson, recommends books that have helped him understand what Christianity means and to truly believe.
The best books on Anti-Semitism, recommended by Abraham Foxman
Why has anti-Semitism been such a problem down the ages, and why does it persist today? The emeritus director of the Anti-Defamation League, Abraham Foxman, recommends the best books to better understand anti-Semitism.
The best books on Atheism, recommended by Julian Baggini
Which are the best books on atheism? The British philosopher Julian Baggini, author of Atheism: A Very Short Introduction, chooses his top five.
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Tante Jolesch or the Decline of the West in Anecdotes
by Friedrich Torberg & Maria Poglitsch Bauer (translator) -
2
The Road into the Open
by Arthur Schnitzler & Roger Byers (translator) -
3
The Radetzky March
by Joseph Roth -
4
The World of Yesterday
by Stefan Zweig & Anthea Bell (translator) -
5
Last Waltz in Vienna
by George Clare
The best books on Jewish Vienna, recommended by Brigid Grauman
The best books on Jewish Vienna, recommended by Brigid Grauman
In the late 19th and early 20th century, Vienna had a vibrant intellectual and cultural life, embraced and at times led by key figures in its large Jewish community. All that would disappear with the rise of anti-Semitism and the Anschluss. Many Jews fled or committed suicide. Others were deported to concentration camps. After the war some went back, but Vienna would never be the same. Here Brigid Grauman, whose father’s family were assimilated Jews from Vienna, recommends books that evoke that poignant, tragic period that ended with World War II.
The best books on Jesus, recommended by Robert Morgan
Jesus was a 1st century Jew from Galilee who had a ministry of teaching and healing. He gathered disciples around him, but was eventually arrested and executed by the Roman governor of Judaea from 26 to 36CE, Pontius Pilate. But what else do we know about Jesus and what is his significance in an increasingly secular age? New Testament scholar Robert Morgan talks us through his favourite books on Jesus.
The best books on English Church Music, recommended by Andrew Gant
Think you’re not interested in church music? Think again. Read this interview and you’ll soon find yourself ordering some books about it too. And a Happy Christmas from your editors at Five Books.
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Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
by Shunryu Suzuki -
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The Life of Milarepa
Translated by Lobsang P Lhalungpa -
3
Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism
by Chogyam Trungpa -
4
The Bodhicaryāvatāra
by Śāntideva -
5
One Robe, One Bowl: The Zen Poetry of Ryōkan
by Ryōkan
Meditation Books, recommended by Andy Puddicombe
Meditation Books, recommended by Andy Puddicombe
Two decades ago Andy Puddicombe was ordained as a Buddhist monk. Now back in lay life, he tries to teach the benefits of meditation to the rest of us—most notably through the Headspace app, but also by writing books. Here he chooses some of the books that inspired him, from Japanese poetry to Tibetan philosophy. Not all are meditation books but they are his “old favorites.”
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The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God
by Carl Sagan -
2
The Atheist's Guide to Reality: Enjoying Life without Illusions
by Alex Rosenberg -
3
God in the Age of Science?: A Critique of Religious Reason
by Herman Philipse -
4
Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon
by Daniel Dennett -
5
A History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom
by Andrew Dickson White
The best books on The Incompatibility of Religion and Science, recommended by Jerry Coyne
The best books on The Incompatibility of Religion and Science, recommended by Jerry Coyne
Embracing a scientific worldview excludes the possibility of also believing in God, says evolutionary biologist Jerry Coyne. He picks five non-accommodationist books.
The best books on The Role of Religion, recommended by Selina O'Grady
Religion has an ability to create groups and communities that has yet to be surpassed, argues Selina O’Grady, author of And Man Created God: A History of the World at the Time of Jesus.
The best books on Satanism, recommended by La Carmina
Over the centuries, horrible crimes have been committed by Christians accusing others of being followers of the Devil. The label of Satanism was one of the worst imaginable in a religious society. However, from the 17th century onwards, some of the greatest writers began to find in Satan, the fallen angel, a sympathetic character whose opposition to the tyranny of heaven was not entirely unreasonable. Today, modern Satanists embrace the label, pursuing a nontheistic religion that celebrates individualism as well as critical thinking, explains blogger and journalist La Carmina, author of The Little Book of Satanism.
The best books on Jewish Humour, recommended by Ruth Wisse
Ruth Wisse, Martin Peretz Professor of Yiddish Literature and Comparative Literature Emerita at Harvard and author of No Joke: Making Jewish Humour, identifies Tevye the Dairyman as the first standup comic and Sigmund Freud as Jewish humour’s greatest analyst.
The best books on God, recommended by Anthony Gottlieb
The philosopher and former executive editor of The Economist, Anthony Gottlieb, discusses religion and suggests that belief in God only truly declines in a society when economic development brings existential security.
The best books on David Hume, recommended by Simon Blackburn
Hume had a message he wanted to get out — particularly as regards skepticism about religion — but he was no proto-Richard Dawkins, says Cambridge philosopher, Simon Blackburn. He chooses the best books on (or by) David Hume.
The best books on Atheism, recommended by Susan Jacoby
The main reason for the survival of religion is not a desire to live a better life, but our fear of death, says atheist author and independent scholar Susan Jacoby. Here she recommends five books she considers essential to “understanding the merits of atheism.”
The best books on Morality Without God, recommended by Mary Warnock
Which comes first, morality or religion? And what happens when religious dogma clashes with the morality it purports to uphold? British philosopher Mary Warnock recommends the best books on morality without God.
Kenneth Miller recommends the best Arguments against Creationism
Biology professor—and Catholic—Kenneth Miller tells us what we should read to understand the battle being fought between scientists and creationists.
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Nietzsche: A Philosophical Biography
by Rüdiger Safranski & translator Shelley Frisch -
2
Nietzsche on Truth and Philosophy
by Maudemarie Clark -
3
Nietzsche’s System
by John Richardson -
4
Beyond Good and Evil
by Friedrich Nietzsche & Walter Kaufmann (translator) -
5
On the Genealogy of Morality
by Friedrich Nietzsche
The Best Nietzsche Books, recommended by Brian Leiter
The Best Nietzsche Books, recommended by Brian Leiter
Relativist, atheist, existentialist, Nazi. All have been said of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, some with more reason than others. In 2011, we asked Nietzsche expert Brian Leiter to explain the appeal of the controversial philosopher and to recommend books by and about him. In September (2020) our philosophy editor, Nigel Warburton, asked Brian about some of the latest Nietzsche books, notable works that have come out in the decade since we first spoke to him.
The best books on Sin, recommended by Paula Fredriksen
Tortured by the sins of your past? Or contemplating new ones? The historian of ancient Christianity recommends five books you to understand the role of sin in Christian thought.
The best books on Islam in the West, recommended by Tariq Ramadan
The Islamic scholar and commentator tells us what it means to be Muslim and Western, and explains how mainstream views get trapped between noisy extremism and a sensation-seeking media
The best books on Being Good, recommended by A C Grayling
What does a moral life entail? How does one achieve it? Philosopher AC Grayling picks the best books on “being good.”
The best books on Christianity, recommended by Richard Harries
The former bishop of Oxford tells us about books that explore what it means to be a Christian – from St Augustine and medieval mysticism to grappling with Dostoyevsky and more modern dilemmas. He picks the best books on Christianity.
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Red Shift
by Alan Garner -
2
The Viking Way: Magic and Mind in Late Iron Age Scandinavia
by Neil Price -
3
Soul Hunters: Hunting, Animism, and Personhood among the Siberian Yukaghirs
by Rane Willerslev -
4
The Annotated Collected Poems
Edward Thomas (ed. by Edna Longley) -
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The Poems of Emily Brontë
Emily Brontë (ed. by Derek Roper)
The best books on Witches and Witchcraft, recommended by Diane Purkiss
The best books on Witches and Witchcraft, recommended by Diane Purkiss
For centuries, the witch has been an index not only of what we fear most in others, but also what we cannot cope with—the powerfully abnormal, strange and often irrational elements—in ourselves. And the best way to understand the history of witches and witchcraft is to first understand the supernatural, according to Diane Purkiss, Professor at Keble College, Oxford and author of the lauded book The Witch in History.
Books about Travelling in the Muslim World, recommended by Tim Mackintosh-Smith
Author and Arabist Tim Mackintosh-Smith tells us about the rich tradition in Islam of travelling to gain knowledge, and directs us towards some of those, both Western and Arab, who’ve inspired with their tales of life on the road.
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Yoga for the Three Stages of Life
by Srivatsa Ramaswami -
2
The Ayurvedic Cookbook
by Amadea Morningstar -
3
Light on Life: The Yoga Journey to Wholeness, Inner Peace, and Ultimate Freedom
by B K S Iyengar -
4
Ramakrishna and His Disciples
by Christopher Isherwood -
5
Awakening the Spine
by Vanda Scaravelli
The best books on Yoga, recommended by Liz Derow
The best books on Yoga, recommended by Liz Derow
Contrary to its popularization in Western culture, yoga isn’t just a form of fitness: its history is rooted in a long Hindu tradition shaped by great teachers in India. Here we have the best books for those who want to learn more about yoga, recommended by Liz Derow, a longtime practitioner and teacher of yoga in India and around the world.
The best books on Christmas, recommended by Bruce Forbes
Did you know that Santa Claus was a 4th century bishop in what is now Turkey? That Puritans tried to outlaw Christmas? Or Tiny Tim was originally Little Fred? Religious scholar Bruce Forbes recommends books that shed light on Christmas’s pagan past and consumerist present.
Allegra Goodman recommends the best Jewish Fiction
Jewish literature doesn’t have to be written by Jews, says the novelist, but it does have to speak to the Jewish experience. She tells us about the Jewish writing, from Chaim Potok to George Eliot, that means the most to her.
The best books on Morality Without God, recommended by Kenan Malik
Religion is often presented as the guardian of moral values. The problem with this, says the author and broadcaster, is that it diminishes what it means to be human. He picks the best books on morality without God.