A review by kristamccracken
Buddha by Karen Armstrong

3.0

Armstrong presents a well balanced biography of Siddhama Gotama. Her writing infuses the development of Buddhist thought, Gotama's life, and the political and social tendencies of the time.

I particularly enjoyed Armstrong's Introduction that addresses the lack of historically 'reliable' sources and the fact that Buddhism developed separate from a cult of personality. Armstrong also does a good job of drawing parallels between the rise of Buddhism and the solidification of other religions.

I read can be a bit cumbersome at times, but is well worth the effort.