- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: Atlantic Books; Reprint edition (10 Jun 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1843545861
- ISBN-13: 978-1843545866
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.8 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (259 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 156,640 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything
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More About the Author
Product Description
New York Times Book Review New York Times Book Review New York Times Book Review New York Times Book Review
'A serious and deeply felt book, totally consistent with his
beliefs of a lifetime. And God should be flattered: unlike most of those
clamoring for his attention, Hitchens treats him like an adult.'
beliefs of a lifetime. And God should be flattered: unlike most of those
clamoring for his attention, Hitchens treats him like an adult.'
Esquire US
'Thank God for Christopher Hitchens. For he has written the finest
of the down-with-God books.'
of the down-with-God books.'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
297 of 320 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is EXTREMELY well written. Witty, informative, and determined.
Many one-star-ers have noted that this book is one of two things:
1. The Atheist Camp claim that this book is not as 'good' as the God Delusion by Richard Dawkins - the arguments are difficult to follow, it's not as scientific or academic as it might be.
Well, Christopher is not a scientist. The book is a fantastic diatribe against the parties of God - it doesn't claim to be anything more. It's a wonderful contribution to atheistic literature. It's funny, clever and well-researched. It's not supposed to be an academic thesis.
2. The God Camp claim that Hitchens succeed in attacking religion, but doesn't manage to prove that God himself does not exist.
While he outlines his reasons for not believing in God, Hitchens does not set out to prove that God does not exist. He sets out to do what it says underneath his main title - to demonstrate how religion poisons everything - and he does a fantastic job.
This book is highly recommended to those who want to laugh and cry at the same time.
Many one-star-ers have noted that this book is one of two things:
1. The Atheist Camp claim that this book is not as 'good' as the God Delusion by Richard Dawkins - the arguments are difficult to follow, it's not as scientific or academic as it might be.
Well, Christopher is not a scientist. The book is a fantastic diatribe against the parties of God - it doesn't claim to be anything more. It's a wonderful contribution to atheistic literature. It's funny, clever and well-researched. It's not supposed to be an academic thesis.
2. The God Camp claim that Hitchens succeed in attacking religion, but doesn't manage to prove that God himself does not exist.
While he outlines his reasons for not believing in God, Hitchens does not set out to prove that God does not exist. He sets out to do what it says underneath his main title - to demonstrate how religion poisons everything - and he does a fantastic job.
This book is highly recommended to those who want to laugh and cry at the same time.
419 of 459 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Firstly - I've read the US version of this book, "God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything", this is why I can write a review.
If you just want to comment on Hitchens/Atheism in general (either for or against) then please do it somewhere else!
I wasn't the greatest Hitchens fan but I have to admit that this book is something special. It's well written with lots of entertaining anecdotes and is easily more readable than Dawkins "The God Delusion". The pages fly by and his points are interesting and well made.
Obviously I was expecting a rabid attack on all things godly yet Hitchens turns out to be cleverer than that. He insists that people should be free to believe what they want - they just shouldn't try to force their beliefs on others. There's the expected examination of the Abrahamic religions here (yes, including Islam) but also critiques of other faiths too. Intelligent and inventive, this was far far better than the book that I was expecting.
Overall it's a great read with a convincing message that has convinced me to look at Hitchens back catalogue to see what other gems are hidden there...
I dare you to read this!
If you just want to comment on Hitchens/Atheism in general (either for or against) then please do it somewhere else!
I wasn't the greatest Hitchens fan but I have to admit that this book is something special. It's well written with lots of entertaining anecdotes and is easily more readable than Dawkins "The God Delusion". The pages fly by and his points are interesting and well made.
Obviously I was expecting a rabid attack on all things godly yet Hitchens turns out to be cleverer than that. He insists that people should be free to believe what they want - they just shouldn't try to force their beliefs on others. There's the expected examination of the Abrahamic religions here (yes, including Islam) but also critiques of other faiths too. Intelligent and inventive, this was far far better than the book that I was expecting.
Overall it's a great read with a convincing message that has convinced me to look at Hitchens back catalogue to see what other gems are hidden there...
I dare you to read this!
275 of 303 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is a worthy companion to Dawkins "The God Delusion". Whereas Dawkins is a scientist, this author takes more of a historical perspective.
I have read a great deal of the current fashion of these type of books. I have enjoyed them all, but Hitchens is perhaps the best of all. He is fearless and expresses himself with great eloquence. You really have to admire his convictions, even if you do not agree with his every point.
Hitchens shows why he believes religion to be a consequence of our evolutionary childhood, why he believes it should not be considered a source of morality and all the ways in which it has demonstrated (he believes) its tendency to forster totalitarian malevolence.
It is unfortunate that many of the reviews posted are vitreolic arguements from pro- or anti-creationists. Clearly many people take great offence to their faith being questioned. But surely if ones faith is trully strong, they should be able to respond to such challenges in a positive way? It is scarcely likely that a book is going to change your lifelong held beliefs, so surely it can be read with an open mind as to understanding other peoples point of view.
The only criticism I would make of this book is that sometimes too much knowledge is assumed of the reader. At times I found myself having to contentrate quite hard as I was not overly familiar with the historical events.
I have read a great deal of the current fashion of these type of books. I have enjoyed them all, but Hitchens is perhaps the best of all. He is fearless and expresses himself with great eloquence. You really have to admire his convictions, even if you do not agree with his every point.
Hitchens shows why he believes religion to be a consequence of our evolutionary childhood, why he believes it should not be considered a source of morality and all the ways in which it has demonstrated (he believes) its tendency to forster totalitarian malevolence.
It is unfortunate that many of the reviews posted are vitreolic arguements from pro- or anti-creationists. Clearly many people take great offence to their faith being questioned. But surely if ones faith is trully strong, they should be able to respond to such challenges in a positive way? It is scarcely likely that a book is going to change your lifelong held beliefs, so surely it can be read with an open mind as to understanding other peoples point of view.
The only criticism I would make of this book is that sometimes too much knowledge is assumed of the reader. At times I found myself having to contentrate quite hard as I was not overly familiar with the historical events.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Christopher Hitchens debates apologists of Religions
There's a vast wealth of online videos to augment his book(s) by this most remarkable, indeed unique individual, whose encyclopaedic knowledge, debating skills, sabre sharp wit,... Read more
Published 2 days ago by G. C. Hagan
Hits every myth squarely IMO
If there was a Humanist equivalent of the Gideons International, this would be the text they distribute. My only regret is that it wasn't published 30 years ago!
Published 28 days ago by P. E. Jacobs
superb thought provoking entertaining personal view of religion.
This book is a diatribe from the pen of a superb and now sadly gone intellect and is terrifying to Christians, Muslims or any religion (man made and invented ) that believes in the... Read more
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GOD IS NOT GREAT
Whichever side of the fence you are on, this is a truly thought-provoking read if you want to know the other point of view. Read more
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Great read
Following Hitchens death, like may others, I decided to give him a proper read, by which I mean more than the journalism alone. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Md Runham
A Fantastic Review of the BAD in Religions
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God is not great
An interesting take on anti-theism, this book is both informative and entertaining if a little disappointing from the literary perspective. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. D. Cameron
Interesting
I found this book very interesting.
Gives good information on the main religious groups and their beliefs and explores how these beliefs have helped shape society. Read more
Gives good information on the main religious groups and their beliefs and explores how these beliefs have helped shape society. Read more
Published 1 month ago by anon81
What would you expect of Hitchens?
There are no two ways about it, Hitchens doesn't like religion so if you're a bit sensitive this book isn't for you. Read more
Published 2 months ago by SB
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Christopher Hitchen's book God is not great is a riposte to the very often hackneyed war cry God Is Great (Alha ho Akbar) of the Muslim invaders which is recently undertaken by the... Read more
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