First published 2006
Tracing the origins of Confucianism, Daoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, monotheism, and Greek rationalism, acclaimed historian Karen Armstrong reveals how the sages of the "Axial Age" forged belief systems that still resonate today. In a time of unprecedented violence, these pioneering thinkers shared a radical call to abandon selfishness and embrace compassion. Though centuries have passed, their timeless insights offer a path through our own turbulent age.
Genres: history, anthropology, ancient-history, academic
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: non-fiction
Period: Axial Age
496 pages · Hardcover · Alfred A. Knopf / Random House