Altars of the East by Lew Ayres

Altars of the East by Lew Ayres is an unusual and fascinating combination of travel writing, religious exploration and documentary photography. First published in the United States by Doubleday in 1956, the book grew out of Ayres’s extensive travels through Asia and the Middle East, undertaken with photographer Robert Duncan. The British edition was published by Skeffington and Son in London in 1958 and runs to 216 pages.

Best known as a Hollywood actor, particularly for his role as Paul Bäumer in All Quiet on the Western Front, Ayres developed a serious interest in comparative religion and the possibilities of greater understanding between different faiths. His journey took him through countries and regions where he investigated religious traditions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Shinto, Sikhism, Islam, Judaism and other Eastern and Middle Eastern traditions.

Altars of the East is based on the documentary project of the same name and records Ayres’s encounters with temples, shrines, mosques, religious communities and individual practitioners. Rather than approaching the subject solely as an academic study, Ayres combines observations of people and places with reflections on the similarities and differences between religious traditions. This gives the work the character of both a mid-century travelogue and a personal exploration of spirituality.

Ayres’s interest in comparative religion was closely connected with his belief that greater knowledge of other faiths could encourage international understanding and peace. His perspective is distinctly personal, making Altars of the East particularly interesting as a document of its period as well as an account of his travels.

The 1958 Skeffington edition is especially appealing to collectors of travel literature, religious studies, Asian history and books connected with classic Hollywood figures. Illustrated throughout, Altars of the East offers a distinctive glimpse into the religious and cultural landscape encountered by an American actor travelling through Asia and the Middle East during the 1950s.

Condition: Good – Dust jacket in poor condition with significant wear and loss. Prior ownership stamp on front end page. Book itself in very good condition.