In 'Living with the Gods', Neil MacGregor invites readers on a captivating journey through the world's diverse religious practices and beliefs. He explores how various cultures express their spirituality and the profound impact these beliefs have on their identities. Through a rich tapestry of artifacts, stories, and historical context, MacGregor unveils the common threads that bind humanity in its quest for meaning. This thought-provoking narrative challenges readers to consider their own beliefs and the role of religion in today's global society. Join MacGregor as he delves into the essence of what it means to live with the gods.
By Neil MacGregor
Published: 2019
"Our beliefs shape our worlds, weaving the fabric of community and understanding, reminding us that to live with the gods is to live with each other."
In the same format as his best-selling books A History of the World in 100 Objects and Germany: Memories of a Nation—the acclaimed art historian now gives us a magnificent new book that explores the relationship between faith and society. Until fairly recently, religion as a major influence on the nature of individual societies around the world seemed to be on the wane. Now, far from being marginalized, the relationship between faith and society has moved to the center of politics and global conversation. Neil MacGregor's new book traces the ways in which different societies have understood and articulated their places in the cosmic scheme. It examines mankind's beliefs not from the perspective of institutional religions but according to how shared narratives have shaped societies—and what happens when different narratives run up against each other. As he did in A History of the World in 100 Objects and Germany: Memories of a Nation, MacGregor brilliantly combines objects, places, and ideas to examine and, ultimately, illuminate these pressing contemporary concerns.
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“Our beliefs shape our worlds, weaving the fabric of community and understanding, reminding us that to live with the gods is to live with each other.”
Living with the Gods
By Neil MacGregor
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Neil MacGregor is a renowned British museum director, historian, and author, celebrated for his engaging exploration of art and culture. He served as the director of the British Museum from 2002 to 2015, where he established a reputation for making history accessible to a wider audience. His notable works include 'A History of the World in 100 Objects,' a groundbreaking book that combines storytelling and artifacts to illuminate the human experience, and 'Living with the Gods,' which examines the role of beliefs in shaping cultures. MacGregor's writing style is characterized by its clarity, depth, and ability to weave together narratives from diverse historical contexts, making complex ideas relatable to readers.
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