Illustrated Dictionary of RELIGION by Philip Wilkinson

This dictionary has beautiful illustrations and covers all the religions. It has a rich context and gives the reader just enough information to understand the basics of that particular religion.  This is great for a beginner who is interested in general knowledge of religions and their history. The book is enjoyable and easy to read. Quotes from the Dictionary:

  

A Religion is a set of beliefs and practices, often associated with a supernatural power that shapes or directs human life and death or a commitment to ideas that provide coherence for one's existence. It is a belief in a divine force as well as offering moral guidance for believers. Religions also bind people into communities with common goals and values. There are many religions in the world.

Religion help answer questions: How did the world begin? Can we explain good and evil? What happens when we die? Religion may have begun as one of the ways of answering some of these questions.

Religion influences nearly everything in our daily lives, from buildings, the foods we eat, and the customs of courtroom and government - it shapes our beliefs, moral codes, and national identities. Both individuals and nations describe themselves in religious terms - Hindu or Muslim, Shinto or Buddhist, Christian or Jew.

Here are two examples:

Zoroastrianism - An ancient Persian religion, named after its founder Zoroaster. The faith: life is a constant struggle between the gods of good and evil. It is still practiced today in Iran and India. Followers are called Parsis. 
The Jain Religion started in India between the 7th and 4th century BCE. Jina or conqueror has cast off all worldly concerns and achieved the highest level of knowledge. Jinas show their followers how to achieve liberation from the cycle of reincarnation by attaining the three jewels - right knowledge, faith and conduct.