Armstrong beautifully and economically explains why Buddhism is such a turning point in the history of thought and religion. She sorts out with admirable clarity the main lines of religious thinking and practice in Buddha's era, and discusses what is known about his life. But her illumination of what the ideas that are at the heart of Buddhism makes this book a really useful and enjoyable introduction. Anyone interested in Buddhism, or in world religions and Eastern philosophy, will find a lot in this book--as will those who have enjoyed Tom Cahill's "Hinges of History" books ("How the Irish Saved Civilization," etc.).