Why is religion still around in the 21st century? Why do so many still believe? And how do various traditions still shape the way people experience everything from sexuality to politics, whether they are religious or not? Looking to her own life to help address these questions, Elaine Pagels discusses how religious traditions have shaped how we understand ourselves; how we relate to one another; and, most importantly, how to get through the most difficult challenges we face. Also drawing upon the perspectives of neurologists, anthropologists, and historians, Pagels opens unexpected ways of understanding the persistence of faith.

"In this compelling, honest, and learned memoir, Elaine Pagels takes us inside her own life in a stirring and illuminating effort to explain religion's enduring appeal. This is a powerful book about the most powerful of forces."—Jon Meacham