Zoroastrianism : World Religions

by Paula R. Hartz

Book by Hartz, Paula R.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published July 1, 1999

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading a book about the prophet Muhammad, I wanted to read this book to learn more about Zoroastrianism because the early Muslims conquered and spread Islam to Persia, the land of Zoroastrianism. So I wanted to learn more. There are striking similarities with other traditions and I found their account of the three wise men interesting. This book reads very academically, a bit boring. I learned a lot about the faith and the history of Iran and India. I would recommend this book to someone who is studying world religions (either in university or independently) since it was the first main monotheistic faith. I would like to visit a Zoroastrian service and learn more from a practicing Zoroastrian.

[Eric Villalobos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I realized within the first sentence that this was written for a younger audience. Still it was a very interesting read and did provide a useful introduction to Zoroastrianism. It uses Zoroastrian terminology, so younger readers can just gloss over those words while more serious students may actually attempt to learn them. In total, I did learn things I didn't know before so it doesn't really matter to me that some of the sentences were simple.

[Sait Can · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zerdüştler, Mecusiler, Ateşe tapanlar. Birbiri içine geçen çeşitli tanımlamalar. Bu din hakkında hiçbir şey bilmeyenlere yönelik hazırlanmış, oldukça basit bir İngilizce ile yazılmış kitap. Malesef yazar tekrarlardan sakınamamış, sanırım bunun sebebi kitabın taslağında tercih edilen kategoriler. 8 Bölüme ayrılan kitap genel bir giriş yaptıktan sonra ilk olarak Zerdüşt'ün hayatı üzerinde duruyor. Daha sonra dinin tarihsel bir serüveni, Hindistan'a kaçan Parsiler, Avesta, Felsefe ve Etik, Ritüel ve Gelenekler ve son olarak günümüzde Zerdüştlük olarak sınıflandırılmış. Kitap içerisinde bolca kullanılan resimler, konuyla yeni meşgul olmaya başlayan okurlar için oldukça faydalı. Kitap içerisinde oldukça ilginç bilgiler de bulunuyor. Zerdüşt portresi olarak bilinen portrenin 18. yüzyılda bir İranlının rüyası sonrası resmedilmeye başlandığı, Mecusi kelimesinin kuzey İran'da yaşayan Magi adlı dini grubun Zerdüştlüğü benimsemesi sonrası alındığı, Yahudileri Babil esaretinden kurtaran Pers Kralı Kyros'un bir muhtemel bu dinin bir sempatizanı olabileceği ve bu nedenle peygamber Yeşaya'nın Tanah'ta bulunan kitabında Zerdüştlük'ten esintiler barındırdığı ve saire.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough without being overwhelming. "A religion not your own" was a book club topic. I had known a person raised in Zoroastrianism and was glad to find out more about this interesting and very moral belief system.
Well organized and very informative.

[Dianne Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over a decade ago, I read a small encyclopedia stub about Zoroastrianism. It seemed quite off that the first monotheistic religion, one that has had such a profound affect on other religions and ethical practices around the globe, would now be in jeopardy.
This book does much to explain the history of the religion in the first four chapters, before moving onto the specifics of religious practices and how the faithful interact with other cultures. Lastly, it discusses the pressures of the modern world upon the dispersed followers upon marriage and religious practice, whilst a the same time holding to the most important ideals of "...good thoughts, good words, and good deeds..."
Regardless of what a reader may believe, this book does a great job of showing the beauty and difficulties of this fascinating faith. Hartz shows her academic cred by putting together this wonderful book covering the basics of the faith, showing great respect for a people that have such a rich history.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this book was very interesting.I learned a lot. When I was at the University, I took a class called "World Religions". I remember being intrigued by the religion at that time. So, when I saw the book, I had to pick it up and find out a little more about it.

Zoroastrianism is the oldest monotheistic (believing in one supreme being) religion in the world. It was very interesting to read about.

[Mohamedridha Alaskari محمد رضا العسكري · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful book, makes me know better about the Zoroastrianism, it is simply a religion like the other religions, same standards very close to Christianity Jewish and Islam in the main fundamentals. Very old and historical religion and they call it great religion.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read for me (two sittings). It was very interesting, well organized layout, and explained a lot of questions I had, and in great detail. Very good, educational read!