First published 2019
Neil MacGregor traces how societies across four millennia have used beliefs to shape identity and community. The author of A History of the World in 100 Objects turns his attention to faith, ideology, and religion as forces that define and divide humanity. MacGregor examines objects, places, and rituals to understand how shared beliefs function in public life. He explores how these belief systems shape relationships between individuals and states, and how they help communities imagine their place in the world. The book spans global history, investigating the stories that give meaning to human existence. MacGregor argues that deciding how we live with our gods determines how we live with each other. This work emerged alongside a BBC Radio 4 documentary and British Museum exhibition, offering readers insight into the driving forces behind much of today's global politics.
Genres: history, anthropology, religion, non-fiction, academic, cultural-studies
Vibes: informative, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: informative-narrative
Period: 4 Millennia
512 pages · Paperback · Penguin