Christopher Hitchens, the acclaimed journalist and best-selling author of God Is Not Great, selects and introduces an illuminating collection of the most essential and influential writings for the non-believer, including contributions from Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Mark Twain, Bertrand Russell, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, Karl Marx, Richard Dawkins, H.L. Mencken, Sam Harris, and more.
The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Nonbeliever
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"Reading all these essays together is an intellectually invigorating experience this is a fine anthology and a provocative challenge to believers." --Metro (London) 14th November 2007
"(a)t 500 pages this excellent anthology is only just portable, but it is the perfect Christmas stocking-filler for the atheist in your life." --The Guardian
"(a)fter setting the non-believing cat among the devout pigeons in America, Christopher Hitchens compiles an anthology varied enough to entertain atheists, agnostics and believers alike." --The Financial Times
"(a)t 500 pages this excellent anthology is only just portable, but it is the perfect Christmas stocking-filler for the atheist in your life." --The Guardian
"(a)fter setting the non-believing cat among the devout pigeons in America, Christopher Hitchens compiles an anthology varied enough to entertain atheists, agnostics and believers alike." --The Financial Times
About the Author
Christopher Hitchens is a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and a visiting professor of liberal studies at the New School. The author of numerous books including the current bestseller God Is Not Great and Letters to a Young Contrarian, he lives in Washington, D.C.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
207 of 215 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoughtful selection of Atheist, Agnostic and Rationalist writing from across the ages.
25 May 2008
By AmazonUser
Format:Paperback
This book is perhaps slightly undersold by it's title, it's a pretty solid tome, still portable I suppose but it must be a good 2 or 3 inches thick. The second part of the title is also a little misleading, the majority of the authors are indeed atheists, but not limited to the more militant kind one might expect Hitchens to choose. There's a broad spectrum of Humanist, Secularist and Rationalist writing spanning from Lucretius and Spinoza to Ibn Warraq and Sam Harris. The book progresses through these in a roughly chronological order charting the way human thought on the divine (or lack thereof) has changed and progressed.
The readings are well chosen and Hitchens provides a little introduction and context to each section (if I had one minor complaint it would be that these intros could have been even longer, they were fascinating in their own right). He also provides an overall intro to the book as a whole.
If I was to direct someone, atheist or theist, to a single book to explain non-theistic world views to them, it would have to be this.
The readings are well chosen and Hitchens provides a little introduction and context to each section (if I had one minor complaint it would be that these intros could have been even longer, they were fascinating in their own right). He also provides an overall intro to the book as a whole.
If I was to direct someone, atheist or theist, to a single book to explain non-theistic world views to them, it would have to be this.
185 of 195 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An absolutely dazzling work. As a recovering Christian I am actively seeking out the thoughts of the great secularists down through the ages.
Particular highlights for me were the writings of Mark Twain on the Church's position on slavery, and also a remarkable deconstruction of every Christian argument regarding morality and God by Elizabet Anderson. Its one of those books that I'd love my wife and my Christian friends to read. Sadly, the bubble of false consolation and cognitive bias appears overwhelmingly strong. My experience tells me that the only evidence that Christians can cope with is Christian evidence. A truly impartial assesment of the available evidence from both sides seems a pose a real challenge to them.
Particular highlights for me were the writings of Mark Twain on the Church's position on slavery, and also a remarkable deconstruction of every Christian argument regarding morality and God by Elizabet Anderson. Its one of those books that I'd love my wife and my Christian friends to read. Sadly, the bubble of false consolation and cognitive bias appears overwhelmingly strong. My experience tells me that the only evidence that Christians can cope with is Christian evidence. A truly impartial assesment of the available evidence from both sides seems a pose a real challenge to them.
117 of 124 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I found this interesting in that it provides a potted history of atheistic philosophy which could be useful to anyone introduced to the subject more recently (perhaps by Dawkins or Dennet). Some of the historical material can be a little hard to read (especially on a packed train) but I found it fascinating to see how the arguments against religion have developed over time. Ayaan Hirsi Ali's story is truly inspiring and is a fitting conclusion to the book. Hitchens' introductions to each chapter are fitting, and often show just how important the individual writers ideas are to the him. Highly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Carry Your Beliefs and Arguments At All Times
It is important to carry the word of god with you at all times in case you are challenged, then you remember what to say.
Then you can feel good again. Read more
Then you can feel good again. Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. Chander
3.0 out of 5 stars
Clear reasons why religious believe is untenable
This book marshals the many reasons for believing that all religion is based on erroneous and unattractive premises. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Richard F. Ackers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Factual and thought provoking
I give a five star rating when a book delivers on its promise. Christopher Hitchens spent his life researching, thinking, reflecting, writing and debating this subject. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Andrew Renals
1.0 out of 5 stars
The purest of dung
Before beginning this book I promised myself I wouldnt let any pre-conceived idea's regarding atheism have a bearing on my 5 star rating. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. Susan Clarke
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hitchens shines the light.
Excellent collection of writings dealing with some of the nonsense surrounding religion. It is difficult to imagine anyone reading this book and not wantinig to sue the various... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Biro
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful
Truly excellent, Hitchens has put together a superb work of reference for people interested in this crucial subject, I would recommend this book to any thinking person.
Published 4 months ago by Raymond Foad
5.0 out of 5 stars
A STIMULATING READ.
I have found this to be a most stimulating and rewarding read. At last we have the voices of reason pulling away the dark veils of established religions. Read more
Published 7 months ago by J. A. Layton
1.0 out of 5 stars
The Portable Toilet
Despite being an atheist myself, it is clear that Christopher Hitchens' dislike for religion comes from a narrow mindedness and Islamophobia that no civilised human being should... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Zero
4.0 out of 5 stars
Poor title, great book
Calling this 'portable' could give the impression of a lightweight work. Rather I think this offers solid foundations of the atheist view. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Chris777
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Atheist Pope
In the motion picture `Patton,' the general bellows out over the battlefield after Rommel's tanks running off in defeat, "Rommel, you magnificent s.o.b., I read your book. Read more
Published 11 months ago by John Randolph Marshall
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