Why Religion: a Personal Story by Elaine Pagels

ELAINE PAGELS One of PW's Best Books of the Year One of Amazon's Best Books of the Month Why is religion still around in the twenty-first century? Why do so many still believe? And how do various traditions still shape the way people experience everything from sexuality to politics, whether they are religious or not? In Why Religion? Elaine Pagels looks to her own life to help address these questions. These questions took on a new urgency for Pagels when dealing with unimaginable loss--the death of her young son, followed a year later by the shocking loss of her husband. Here she interweaves a personal story with the work that she loves, illuminating how, for better and worse, religious traditions have shaped how we understand ourselves; how we relate to one another; and, most importantly, how to get through the most difficult challenges we face. Drawing upon the perspectives of neurologists, anthropologists, and historians, as well as her own research, Pagels opens unexpected ways of understanding persistent religious aspects of our culture. A provocative and deeply moving account from one of the most compelling religious thinkers at work today, Why Religion? explores the spiritual dimension of human experience. Hardback, 256 pages Review Quotes: "Pagels has done it again, but more personally. The scholar's tale of loving, grieving, enduring, and searching will grab readers at the outset and never let them go. A memorable story unforgettably told."-- Madeleine Albright, author of Fascism: A Warning "Elaine Pagels' study of new gospels and revelations challenged our understanding of ancient Christianity. In this mesmerizing memoir, we see how she was also grappling with devastating loss and struggling within to find "the light that never fails," even in deepest anger and guilt, grief and desolation. A must read."-- Karen L. King, Hollis Professor Divinity, Harvard University "A raw and often moving autobiography . . . The story of her grief . . . will touch all. A meaningful tale of pain and hope on the edges of faith."-- Kirkus "Elaine Pagels has written an extraordinary memoir of loss, spiritual struggle, illumination and insight--emotionally heartrending, intellectually exciting, a model of what a memoir should be."--Joyce Carol Oates "With characteristic intelligence and wisdom, Elaine Pagels lays bare her own life-shattering losses, offering up the possibility that suffering might afford each of us membership in a profoundly connected human--and cosmic--community. Why Religion? is a revelation and an immense consolation."-- Tracy K. Smith, Poet Laureate of the United States "A magnificent, searing, soul-affirming memoir. Pagels shines the bright light of her brilliant mind on the most essential of human dilemmas: how do we go on in the face of immeasurable loss? I came away from this book transformed."-- Dani Shapiro "In this compelling, honest, and learned memoir, Elaine Pagels, takes us inside her own life in a stirring and illuminating effort to explain religion's enduring appeal. This is a powerful book about the most powerful of forces."-- Jon Meacham, author of The Soul of America "Beautiful . . . Pagels treats readers to the examined life behind her intellectual feats with extreme grace and depth. This luminous memoir strips religion to its elementary particles: love, suffering, and mystery."-- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Engaging both head and heart . . . this brilliant book . . . stimulates intellectual curiosity and thought while giving equal weight to Pagel's emotional life."-- Booklist (starred review) "Pagels unpacks the relevance of religion in the twenty-first century--how religious traditions continue to shape the way we understand ourselves and the world and provide a framework for facing our most painful losses."-- Lion's Roar "Searing and wise new memoir. . . . tender and wrenching, sketched with exquisite detail."-- Boston Globe: "Looks back on a rich life of learning, writing, loving, seeking truth and, inevitably, suffering. . . achingly beautiful . . . Readers of all faiths and none can learn from her brilliance and courage."-- Dallas Morning News "You don't have to be religious yourself to enjoy her thought-provoking work."-- Bustle "Both fascinating and heart-wrenching, Pagels's highly personal account presents behind-the-scenes glimpses into the inner workings of a brilliant scholar's mind."-- Library Journal