Title	A History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam
Author	Karen Armstrong
ISBN	0345321383
Notes	If you have ever wondered why the Bible is such an inconsistent document, why zealots kill heretics, what they are/were trying to suppress, why everyone hates each other, and what the true origins of these monotheistic religions are... read this book. I grew up in a fundamentalist Pentecostal church, and I constantly struggled with my faith due to a literalist interpretation of scripture. Although I left that religion behind many years ago, A History of God has given me some closure and a new perspective on what this concept of "God" really is -- and why it's such a powerful force in our society. I cannot say enough good things about this book. Beware, though. If you value your blind faith in the dogma of a particular sect, you may find yourself compelled to leave it behind after reading this book. For a less demanding read that covers much of the same subject matter, try The Da Vinci Code.