Growing up in a strict Muslim community in south-east London, Alom Shaha learnt that religion was not to be questioned. Reciting the Qur an without understanding what it meant was simply a part of life; so, too, was obeying the imam and enduring beatings when he failed to attend the local mosque. Shaha was more drawn to science and its power to illuminate. As a teen, he lived between two worlds: the home controlled by his authoritarian father, and a school alive with books and ideas. In a charming blend of memoir, philosophy, and science, Shaha explores the questions about faith and the afterlife that we all ponder. Through a series of loose lessons , he tells his own compelling story, drawing on the theories of some of history s greatest thinkers and interrogating the fallacies that have impeded humanity for centuries. Shaha recounts how his education and formative experiences led him to question how to live without being tied to what his parents, priests, or teachers told him to believe, and offers insights so that others may do the same. This is a book for anyone who thinks about what they should believe and how they should live. It s for those who may need the facts and the ideas, as well as the courage, to break free from inherited beliefs. In this powerful narrative, Shaha shows that it is possible to live a compassionate, fulfilling, and meaningful life without God.
The Young Atheist's Handbook
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
"Shaha now teaches physics at a London comprehensive. If the style is a guide to the man, he is gentle and persuasive the type of teacher you would have loved to have had educate you". --Nick Cohen, The Guardian
"Charismatically discusses everything…he writes sensitively and reasonably" --Tania Ahsan, Metro
"There is a devastating logic to his arguments...Shaha writes with a highly-engaging first person narrative that is crisp and highly readable" -- Greg Jameson, Entertainment Focus
'Illuminates the route to a better destination for all those who seek what Alom found: namely, that precious liberty of mind which makes its possessor open to all good things.' --A. C. Grayling, author of The Good Book
"An honest and often very moving story about valuing truth over hope, even in the face of grief." --Tim Minchin
"This book will make you think and it s hard to give a greater compliment than that... a deeply personal and sensitively constructed exposition of some of the most enduring philosophical questions... particularly fascinating...endearingly autobiographical style... Shaha has constructed a charmingly readable journey through some of the most enduring philosophical territory, weaving memories and thoughtful anecdotes into a powerful story of hope and truth" --REToday
"Charismatically discusses everything…he writes sensitively and reasonably" --Tania Ahsan, Metro
"There is a devastating logic to his arguments...Shaha writes with a highly-engaging first person narrative that is crisp and highly readable" -- Greg Jameson, Entertainment Focus
'Illuminates the route to a better destination for all those who seek what Alom found: namely, that precious liberty of mind which makes its possessor open to all good things.' --A. C. Grayling, author of The Good Book
"An honest and often very moving story about valuing truth over hope, even in the face of grief." --Tim Minchin
"This book will make you think and it s hard to give a greater compliment than that... a deeply personal and sensitively constructed exposition of some of the most enduring philosophical questions... particularly fascinating...endearingly autobiographical style... Shaha has constructed a charmingly readable journey through some of the most enduring philosophical territory, weaving memories and thoughtful anecdotes into a powerful story of hope and truth" --REToday
About the Author
Alom Shaha was born in Bangladesh but grew up in London. A teacher, science writer, and filmmaker, he has spent most of his professional life trying to share his passion for science and education with the public. He teaches at a comprehensive school in London and writes for a number of print and online publications, including the Guardian.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Jack
Format:Hardcover
Wow! Surprisingly page-turnery for a work of non-fiction. It is unusual to find a book that is at once so intellectually engaging and easy to read. I devoured page after page of Alom Shaha's personal anecdotes and rational musings. Sometimes, I laughed out loud; sometimes my eyes welled with tears. This is a moving account of one person's struggle to free himself from the shackles of the closed-mindedness of religion. In the author's case, as in my own, those shackles were actually never very tightly secured - but courage is still a big part of this story.
The author was 'preaching to the converted' when I read the book - not that the book is in any way preachy. I fear and suspect that most of the people who buy this wonderful book will be people who already feel like myself and Mr Shaha - but I pray (well, not really pray, of course) that it will reach some, perhaps many, whose minds and eyes have not yet been opened. Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. once wrote that "A mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimension." I hope some young minds will be stretched by this brave and brilliant book.
The author was 'preaching to the converted' when I read the book - not that the book is in any way preachy. I fear and suspect that most of the people who buy this wonderful book will be people who already feel like myself and Mr Shaha - but I pray (well, not really pray, of course) that it will reach some, perhaps many, whose minds and eyes have not yet been opened. Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. once wrote that "A mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimension." I hope some young minds will be stretched by this brave and brilliant book.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
I wish the author was six years older than me, instead of the other way round. If he had been, I might have read this before...
27 July 2012
Format:Hardcover
...now, and wouldn't have spent years being at odds with my parents' beliefs, actions and traditions, which didn't tie in with me being a British-born Asian. Looking back, it seems as if I was brainwashed into a way of thinking, via a dominant parent, who should have read this book instead of being so close-minded and so intent on doing 'the done thing because others/the community/the religious book says so'.
This is an excellent book that I identified with in many ways, and weirdly, it's come at a time when I've been questioning myself, asking myself if I'm a cold-hard-noun-for-a-female-dog (sorry for the confusion, but it's to avoid the review being pulled) for not believing what I was taught by my parents (supposedly our first 'Gods'), for not being into my supposed culture and for not giving in to emotional blackmail and for not being a good little Asian girl. This book has restored my faith in myself, has made me understand my non-Asian atheist husband's attitude a bit more.
It's a book that should be found on shelves at schools, especially in heavily multicultural areas, where kids wanting to be 'cool' and 'in' are at odds with what their parents/communities/religions say they should be. It could make us more tolerant of each other, more open-minded and fair. It's just logical, factual - and it lets the reader make up their own mind, and doesn't influence or denigrate any beliefs - it just points out that what you start off with isn't necessarily correct (religion is, of course, subject to personal interpretation, and more often than not, incorrect/too literal interpretation) or right for you as an individual.
Well done, and thanks, Mr Shaha.
This is an excellent book that I identified with in many ways, and weirdly, it's come at a time when I've been questioning myself, asking myself if I'm a cold-hard-noun-for-a-female-dog (sorry for the confusion, but it's to avoid the review being pulled) for not believing what I was taught by my parents (supposedly our first 'Gods'), for not being into my supposed culture and for not giving in to emotional blackmail and for not being a good little Asian girl. This book has restored my faith in myself, has made me understand my non-Asian atheist husband's attitude a bit more.
It's a book that should be found on shelves at schools, especially in heavily multicultural areas, where kids wanting to be 'cool' and 'in' are at odds with what their parents/communities/religions say they should be. It could make us more tolerant of each other, more open-minded and fair. It's just logical, factual - and it lets the reader make up their own mind, and doesn't influence or denigrate any beliefs - it just points out that what you start off with isn't necessarily correct (religion is, of course, subject to personal interpretation, and more often than not, incorrect/too literal interpretation) or right for you as an individual.
Well done, and thanks, Mr Shaha.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By I. Horsewell
Format:Hardcover
I think it's easy for many of us to forget how difficult choosing a life without religious belief can be. In this book, Alom Shaha describes his development from a child in a Muslim family to becoming an adult and an atheist. In his childhood faith was assumed, but in his teenage years curiosity and intellectual honesty led him to first question and then reject the labels he had been assigned. He addresses the contradictions of culture, faith and morality, and evokes the challenge of separating them in a world which often assumes they must go together.
It's an easy read, conversational yet inspiring, despite the sometimes painful subject matter. He is open about the difficulties, but also about the freedom that describing oneself as an atheist brings. This book isn't about deep theology or philosophy, although there are references to such work, but more a personal and deeply moving account of how he came to the point of being able to call himself an ex-Muslim.
It's an easy read, conversational yet inspiring, despite the sometimes painful subject matter. He is open about the difficulties, but also about the freedom that describing oneself as an atheist brings. This book isn't about deep theology or philosophy, although there are references to such work, but more a personal and deeply moving account of how he came to the point of being able to call himself an ex-Muslim.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 4 reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent summary of the arguments for atheism inside a fascinating...
I really respect the author for the tone he takes with this book. It isn't condescending, angry or intolerant. Read more
Published 5 days ago by K. J. Noyes
5.0 out of 5 stars
A personal journey
Alom's account of his personal journey to becoming a humanist is very readable. Maybe the term "handbook" is misleadingand you certainly don't have to be young to read... Read more
Published 2 months ago by barbara cattell
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not hard-hitting enough
I felt that this book cow-towed to the major religions too much and failed to convey the amount of damage that they do. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Joseph Atherton
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read
Most of what I could say about this book has been said in the reviews already submitted. I will only add one personal thought, that I found it literally inspirational.
Published 4 months ago by New Mum
3.0 out of 5 stars
Autobiography
Well written auto biography! Read it in two sittings!!!
But if you are looking for deeper philosophical questions/answers then not that helpful.
But if you are looking for deeper philosophical questions/answers then not that helpful.
Published 5 months ago by zai
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant book
This is a brilliant book. Easy to read and enjoyable too. Very informative and helpful for those who are trying to make up their minds about their values and what they believe. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Hannah
5.0 out of 5 stars
A route map to personal integrity
Alom Shaha writes a lucid and intelligent account of his journey from the imposed faith and culture of his birth to his own independent view of his relationships with his family,... Read more
Published 5 months ago by JDE London
4.0 out of 5 stars
Easy, honest writing
Whilst Shaha admits the title of 'handbook' could be considered a slight misnomer, I found this an accessible read about his (lack of) religious belief despite being brought up in... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Nancecc
5.0 out of 5 stars
Courageous, thought provoking, emotional honest journey- Simple and...
I really can relate and understand Alom's view on religions and atheism; I know many Bengali's have had the same experiences as Alom. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Nurjahan Begum
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just excellent
Part memoir, part manifesto, Alom Shaha tells explains his journey from Islam to atheism. A very personal account, told with great candour, and thankfully missing the vitriol and... Read more
Published 8 months ago by drewburrett
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
