"This is a Borzoi Book published by Alfred A. Knopf."

"Originally published in Great Britain by Allen Lane, and imprint of Penguin Books, London."

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Our place in the pattern -- Fire and state -- Water of life and death -- The return of the light -- Harvest and homage -- Powers earthly and divine -- Thy kingdom come -- Turning the screw -- "There is no God!" -- Living with each other.

"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"--