The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Nonbeliever

by Christopher Hitchens Narrated by Nicholas Ball

Overview

Atheist? Believer? Uncertain? No matter: The Portable Atheist will engage you every step of the way. From the #1 New York Times best-selling author of God Is Not Great, comes this provocative and entertaining guided tour of atheist and agnostic thought through the ages with original pieces by Salman Rushdie, Ian McEwan, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Christopher Hitchens makes the case for a splendidly godless universe in this first-ever gathering of influential voices-past and present-that have shaped his side of the raging God/no-god debate.

With erudie and witty Hitchens as guide, you'll be led through a wealth of philosophy, literature, and scientific inquiry, including generous portions of the words of Lucretius, Benedict de Spinoza, Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, Mark Twain, George Eliot, Bertrand Russell, Emma Goldman, H. L. Mencken, Albert Einstein, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and many others. They're all set in context and commented upon as only Christopher Hitchens-"political and literary journalist extraordinaire” (Los Angeles Times)-can.

Editorial Reviews

Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism: British atheist Christopher Hitchens is an equal-opportunity nonbeliever. In this provocative anthology, the author of God Is Not Great draws support from famed free thinkers, including Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Mark Twain, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Bertrand Russell, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, Karl Marx, and H. L. Mencken.

Publishers Weekly

Interconnecting a vast range of sources from Lucretius to more contemporary authors, Hitchens brings together a mix of naysayers and skeptics regarding religion and, in particular, God. While not all of his selections are by fervent atheists, Hitchens connects them in such a way as to explore how and why people have rejected religious beliefs throughout the ages. Additionally, he provides valuable introductions to many of the pieces, situating them for the listener in the context of his overall argument. While some provide great insight and questions for listeners, others are only tangentially relevant. Nicholas Ball has an agreeable voice, but when transitioning from introductions to the excerpt, he rarely pauses and listeners may not even realize the excerpt is being read. His timing and speed may work well with other material, but lacks the reflection and nuance needed for this diverse and complex work with many different writing styles. Simultaneous release with the Da Capo hardcover (Reviews, Oct. 29). (Jan.)

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Library Journal

Since the publication of his best-selling secularist manifesto, God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, Hitchens has become a visible and vocal advocate, along with fellow atheists Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Sam Harris, of a return to Enlightenment values and a rejection of religion. The Portable Atheistcontinues that agenda by collecting a diverse sampling of secularist literature that spans more than two millennia. Each selection includes a short introduction by Hitchens that explains its historical context, its significance, and its influence on the development of secular thought. The 47 readings here represent a broad cross section of literature by nonbelievers, with selections from poets, novelists, journalists, philosophers, and scientists. Gathered here are many of the best-known secularists, from Lucretius and David Hume to Bertrand Russell and Carl Sagan. This collection also includes previously unpublished works by Salman Rushdie, Ian McEwan, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Nicholas Ball provides versatile and nuanced readings across multiple genres, from the lilting verse of Omar Khayyam's The Rubaiyatto the denser prose of Thomas Hobbes's Leviathan. Ball should capture the attention, if not the sympathies, of believers and unbelievers alike. Highly recommended for all general library collections, but particularly those with large religion, history, and philosophy holdings.
—Philip Bader

Product Details

BN ID:	2940176076257
Publisher:	Phoenix Books, Inc.
Publication date:	01/01/2008
Edition description:	Unabridged

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