Introduction to the History of Religions cover
Religion & Mythology

Introduction to the History of Religions

by Crawford Howell Toy

Handbooks on the History of Religions, Volume IV

About 16 h 38 min of reading17 chapters

Crawford Howell Toy, professor of Hebrew at Harvard, published his Introduction to the History of Religions in 1913 as the fourth volume of the Handbooks on the History of Religions. It is a systematic account of the ideas and customs that underlie all public religion, drawn from the ethnography of many peoples and illustrated from the higher faiths. Chapters treat the nature of religion, the soul, early religious ceremonies, early cults, totemism and taboo, gods, myths, magic and divination, the social development of religion, and the higher theistic and ethical developments. Toy writes as a scholar rather than a believer or a skeptic, with full references, an analytic table of contents and a selected bibliography. It served for decades as a college textbook. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.

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Introduction to the History of Religions by Crawford Howell Toy can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.

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Is Introduction to the History of Religions in the public domain?

Yes. Introduction to the History of Religions by Crawford Howell Toy is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.

How long does it take to read Introduction to the History of Religions?

About 16 h 38 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.

What kind of book is Introduction to the History of Religions?

Introduction to the History of Religions by Crawford Howell Toy is filed under "Religion & Mythology" in the Vinteuil library.