The definitive work on this subject is by Eric J. Sharpe , first published in 1975. It is widely considered the standard text for understanding how the academic discipline of religious studies (Religionswissenschaft) evolved from its 19th-century origins to the modern era. Book Overview
: Some readers find the content disappointing if they are looking for a direct comparison of world faiths; the book focuses strictly on academic history and departmental developments. Comparative Religion - A History
: It remains an indispensable text for graduate students and scholars looking to understand the "in-house politics" and intellectual lineage of religious studies. Notable Criticisms The definitive work on this subject is by Eric J
Comparative Religion: A History by Eric J. Sharpe | Goodreads Book Overview : Some readers find the content
: The narrative moves through the psychological insights of William James and the "phenomenology of religion" championed by figures like Rudolf Otto and Nathan Söderblom.
: Reviewers on Amazon and Cambridge University Press praise Sharpe for his magisterial command of primary sources in multiple European languages.
: The book begins with Enlightenment precursors and the work of Max Müller, often called the father of the field, who emphasized philology and textual analysis.