Fields of Blood

2014 book by Karen Armstrong

For other uses, see Field of blood (disambiguation).

First edition

Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence is a 2014 book written by Karen Armstrong, published by Knopf.

## Background

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Armstrong argues in the book that religion is not the primary driving force of war and violence.[1] Instead she argues that the driving force is the creation and maintenance of state power.[2] Armstrong's work has been dedicated in part to challenging the New Atheist movement.[3] The book includes detailed histories of religion and its relation to violence all over the world including China, India, the United States, and Palestine.[4] The book was also published as an audiobook.[5]

## Reception

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The Publishers Weekly review called the book "Provocative and supremely readable."[6] Lisa Youngblood reviewed the audiobook version at Library Journal saying some of the content is "hard to follow without ... prior knowledge."[7] Kirkus Reviews reviewed the book saying that "her writing is clear and descriptive, her approach balanced and scholarly."[8] Dean Haigh wrote in the Press and Journal that the book was "Well researched, insightful and revelatory"[9] Marcus Tanner wrote in The Independent that "This is a long, detailed book that tries to cover too much territory."[10] Ray Olson wrote in Booklist that "Armstrong again impresses with the breadth of her knowledge and the skill with which she conveys it to us."[11]

## References

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1. ^ Fallows, James (December 10, 2014). "'Fields of Blood,' by Karen Armstrong". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
2. ^ Juergensmeyer, Mark (October 24, 2014). "Book Review: 'Fields of Blood,' by Karen Armstrong". The Washington Post. Nash Holdings. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 2269358. Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
3. ^ Cryer, Dan (December 20, 2014). "'Fields of Blood' by Karen Armstrong". The Boston Globe. Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC. ISSN 0743-1791. OCLC 66652431. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
4. ^ Kelly, Stuart (September 29, 2014). "Book Review: Fields of Blood, Karen Armstrong—This is a Bold Book With a Bold Premise. Karen Armstrong, One of the Foremost Commentators on Faith, Argues Against the Idea, So Often on the Lips of the New Atheists, That Religion Has Been the Major Cause of Warfare Throughout the History of the World". The Scotsman. JPIMedia. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
5. ^ "Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence by Karen Armstrong". Booklist. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
6. ^ "Publishers Weekly Picks—Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence by Karen Armstrong". Publishers Weekly. PWxyz LLC. September 8, 2014. ISSN 0000-0019. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
7. ^ Youngblood, Lisa (February 1, 2015). "Audio—Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence by Karen Armstrong". Library Journal. Media Source Inc. ISSN 0363-0277. OCLC 818916619. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
8. ^ "Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence by Karen Armstrong". Kirkus Reviews. Kirkus Media LLC. August 6, 2014. ISSN 1948-7428. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
9. ^ Haigh, Dean (October 4, 2014). "Book review: Fields Of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence by Karen Armstrong". Press and Journal. DC Thomson. ISSN 2632-1165. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
10. ^ Tanner, Marcus (October 2, 2014). "Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence by Karen Armstrong, Book Review: Neo-Cons, Prepare to Get Angry. At Times the Books Becomes a Chronology of Violence Committed in the Name of Various Religions—What They Did, Rather Than Why". The Independent. Independent News & Media. ISSN 1741-9743. OCLC 185201487. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
11. ^ Olson, Ray. "Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence Karen Armstrong". Booklist. Retrieved August 30, 2022.

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