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The Young Atheist's Handbook: Lessons for Living a Good Life Without God Hardcover – 19 Jul 2012

by
Alom Shaha (Author)
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Alom Shaha (Author), A. C. Grayling (Foreword)
4.4 out of 5 stars 54 customer reviews
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Product details

  • Hardcover: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Biteback; 1st edition (19 July 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1849543119
  • ISBN-13: 978-1849543118
  • Product Dimensions: 13.6 x 2.3 x 20.3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 368,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

A very special book.--Stephen Fry

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, philosopher and author of The God Argument

More than just a great handbook, this is an honest and often very moving story about valuing truth over hope, even in the face of grief. --Tim Minchin, comedian

A book that destroys the cliche of the atheist as joyless rationalist and shows the humanity, love, and concern that often lies behind godless thinking. --Robin Ince, writer and comedian

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

An inspiring and brave book that speaks for thousands who dare not admit their atheism. --Samira Ahmed, Journalist and broadcaster

A touching personal account that makes for a courageous and compelling read. --Professor Jim Al-Khalili OBE, physicist and broadcaster

[T]he book is essential reading for all young people. --Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association

[A]n honest telling of one man's experience that everyone should read, no matter their theological stripe. --Thinking Christian

Shaha writes with a highly-engaging first person narrative that is crisp and highly readable. --Greg Jameson, Entertainment Focus

This book will make you think and it's hard to give a greater compliment than that. --RE Today

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.

Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsI 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...
By Roroblu'sMum TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on 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.
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5.0 out of 5 starscan you 'lose' a faith you never had?
By Ian on 15 July 2012
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.
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5.0 out of 5 starsCourageous, thought provoking, emotional honest journey- Simple and Brilliant read!
By Nurjahan Begum on 4 Sept. 2012
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
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. I really felt the heartache when he went through with the dilemmas he faced in life; going through questioning and the confusion in trying to make sense of things especially god and religion is ultimately really really frustrating and mind boggling!

I must say it is a very courageous book and can imagine all the hardship the writer must have gone through to give him the courage to write this book with brutal honesty too, especially on the author's personal story. Four of my relative are atheist and one is a spiritualist, all of Bengali origin and was Muslims by religion, all went through the same questioning. However I believe in God but not in any religion, I am not sure what that makes me...Hmmm...maybe half religo-theist or something! However I would recommend this book for anyone who find religion confusing and are looking for other open views. Overall this book is certainly a thought provoking read without any offence on religion itself, and also quite heartbreaking on some parts of the personal story. Liked the read very much, once I opened the book i had to finish the book that day, there were no boring parts.
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5.0 out of 5 starsA book to help open minds
By Gaia on 19 July 2012
Format: Hardcover
The Young Atheist's Handbook is a delightful book that takes the reader on a thought-provoking journey from the peculiar certainties of an indoctrinated childhood, through the philosophical questioning of adolescence, to the intellectual liberation of adulthood.

This is essentially a coming of age story that originates in the oppressive confines of abuse and religious absurdity and ends in enlightenment and joy. It's a journey that this reader never made, being raised in a nonreligious family, but Alom Shaha is such a charming host and his story so captivating that the book offers insights to all of us.

The book gently prompts the reader to apply the same everyday logic and scepticism that they use in all other parts of their lives to the religious texts, claims and 'truths' that they've been given. To question the things that their religion discourages them from questioning, and so reach a mature conclusion about whether the religious stories they've been told and the rules they've been ordered to live by stand up to scrutiny and, frankly, common sense.

Shaha, who was born into a Muslim family, came to realise the contradictory, illogical and unfair aspects of his and the other major religions, and to find happiness and honesty through atheism. He details this story, but also looks beyond to the emotional crutch offered by religion, and finds those, too, wanting. One by one he uses intelligent reasoning to blow away the supposed supports promised to the faithful, by showing through his own life's examples that real human relationships are the most reliable source of comfort, moral guidance and help during life's trials.

In a world where billions of people restrict their lives to the prescriptions of ancient fairy tales, I wish even a fraction would read these important pages of good sense. Give this book to a teenager and change a life.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsI was fortunate in sharing at least one aspect of Alom's life ...

I found Alom Shaha's book nothing less than inspirational. In short, it revolutionised my way of at looking at life. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Great

Published 2 months ago by sylvia64
5.0 out of 5 starsA great read and moving story

The antidote to fundamentalist atheism - a sensitive, personal memoir, gently unfolded with soupcons of science and philosophy, offering reassurance and timeless wisdom to young... Read more

Published 6 months ago by Lionel Roars
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Excellent, quick and prompt delivery. Good read, very interesting.

Published 7 months ago by Raj.AH
5.0 out of 5 starsIf you look, there is something here for everyone...

It has taken me a long time to read this book from cover to cover. Life, family, work and facebook can get in the way of the seemingly simple activity of “reading a book”! Read more

Published 10 months ago by s van zeller
2.0 out of 5 starsIf there was a 0. 01% chance of eternal ...

If there was a 0.01% chance of eternal life after death would you take it? I guarantee you this book will not get you there. Read more

Published 11 months ago by Speaking truth in love
5.0 out of 5 starsCouldn't put it down!

It really is a wonderful book. A personal story filled with clear thinking and brutal yet necessary honesty. Read more

Published 16 months ago by Neil
4.0 out of 5 starsEVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK

This is a good and interesting book which I am enjoying reading. An insight into changing World views on atheism and religion. Arrived in excellent condition. Read more

Published 17 months ago by WJP RIDER
5.0 out of 5 starsA very good book!

The author of this book takes us on a very personal journey to his progression to atheism. He details influences his parents, siblings, religious leaders and friends had on his... Read more

Published 17 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsAs soon as he finishes his A levels and gets a job in a smart London...

This is a very autobiographical book by a young man born into a Muslim family and being brought up in London. Read more

Published 17 months ago by David Wenman

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