Good neutral book about the various religions?

Question

I'm looking to get a little more educated about the many religions there are. I have already decided about what my religion/non-religion is so I'm not looking for a book to convert me to one or another religion. I'm NOT having a spiritual crisis here. So please don't suggest your religion's holy book.

I'd like to learn a bit of every main religion's history, without getting too deep - just the social and cultural environment, and whatever impact they had, and why/when they appeared. I don't want to be a PhD in theology - I just like to know what I talk about and understand why things are the way they are.

The book I'd like to read would have clear language, nothing too technical that usually gets boring after the first chapter.

Remember: I want a neutral objective book. Not conversion of any kind.

And please don't suggest the bible.

Answer 1

Life of Pi is not exactly what you described, but it talks in detail about 3 different religions that one man follows throughout his life.

"Life of Pi", Yann Martel.

Answer 2

I'd recommend Joseph Campbell's Masks of God series

Primitive Mythology

Oriental Mythology

Occidental Mythology

Creative Mythology

Not so much a nuts and bolts division of religion, but does a readable job of explaining the connections and trends of the major religions.

Answer 3

Religious literacy, what every american needs to know and doesn't written by Stephen Prothero