: 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.

: Some readers find the content disappointing if they are looking for a direct comparison of world faiths; the book focuses strictly on academic history and departmental developments.

: He provides a "fair and judicious" take on conflicting theories, finding value even in models that have since been heavily criticized.

Comparative Religion: A History by Eric J. Sharpe | Goodreads