: He provides a "fair and judicious" take on conflicting theories, finding value even in models that have since been heavily criticized.
: He details the influence of anthropologists like Sir James Frazer, whose work, The Golden Bough , proposed that religion evolved from "primitive" magic toward higher ethical systems. Comparative Religion - A History
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 : He provides a "fair and judicious" take
: Written in the 1970s, the final chapters are often viewed as the weakest part of the book, as they lack the "creative new patterns" that emerged in the field during the late 20th century. Sharpe , first published in 1975