I'm an Anglican (Episcopalian) deacon – your question is perhaps slightly problematic, in that "religion" is extremely difficult to define. Westerners (confessional Christians or not) tend to have in mind something that looks a bit like protestant Christianity. Faith traditions intersect with culture and history and everything else.
Brent Nongbri's "Before Religion" is good on this; he engages with the whole concept of "religion" and pulls it apart; you mention the idea of evolution of religion, which is itself an idea he critiques. You might find it very interesting.
I can't speak for any other major faith, but if you want a thousand-mile in the sky view of the history of Christianity, Alister McGrath's "Christian History" is a decent start. You might find short courses being run at a local university or theological college.
Brent Nongbri's "Before Religion" is good on this; he engages with the whole concept of "religion" and pulls it apart; you mention the idea of evolution of religion, which is itself an idea he critiques. You might find it very interesting.
I can't speak for any other major faith, but if you want a thousand-mile in the sky view of the history of Christianity, Alister McGrath's "Christian History" is a decent start. You might find short courses being run at a local university or theological college.