With insightful commentary from the authors, this selection of quotes represents ideas and inspiring thoughts from humanists across time and place. With illustrations by Alice Roberts, and art and photography from other contributors besides, it all comes in a beautiful package.
The book is divided into nine thematic sections, including "The unique you", "Being good", and "Thinking clearly". I can well imagine turning to the book again when I want to dip in and refresh myself on a particular topic. It may become well-thumbed in time!
It would make an excellent gift for someone who was curious or new to humanism - or in fact to any thoughtful person. As the subtitle says, these are "universal" ideas. It is also informative enough and accessible enough that I imagine it could even help someone who was hostile on principle to non-religious worldviews to understand where a humanist is coming from.
The quotes include longer passages that really elaborate on an idea, though never longer than a few paragraphs, and from varied sources (the thoughts of philosopher Bertrand Russel sit alongside those of actor Kristen Bell in the section on "Being good"). And there are other quotes that are pithy single lines, the kind that kick off ideas, or have become the foundation of entire ways of thinking (such as Hume's "A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence"). And as befits humanism, these quotes are not simply truisms or platitudes; this "Little Book" is not intended as and is by no means an academic treatise, but there is meat here enough that a critical thinker will be able to "um" and "ah" and grapple with ideas, as opposed to simply nodding along.
The book also serves as a rejoinder to those who criticise humanism itself as a label given to disparate views. There is a consistency here, across the ages, the quotes cohering alongside each other to present a more or less unified worldview. But unified to just the right degree! Because nor is it dogmatic or monolithic - indeed the format helps to show that this broad attitude to life called humanism is one that is evolving and... polylithic.
Also interesting, given the other criticism of humanism that it is obsessed with religion or defines itself only in response to religion, is that it is the section on "Religion and faith" where the selected quotes demonstrate perhaps the most variety of response, a point noted by the authors ("Other humanists have a different reaction to religion..."). Responses range from the indifferent or apathetic, to the overtly hostile, or simply tolerant but suspicious (as in Forster's warning: "I dread them all, without exception, when they become powerful").
This is a thoughtful selection, expertly framed by the authors, and beautifully presented.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
Follow the Authors
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the Publisher
Looking at the reviews, this is obviously a well received book, but if you're already a humanist and looking for depth then you won't find it here.This is a collection of thoughtful quotes peppered with twee and sometimes patronising notes from the authors. I particularly cringed at the passages such as '6 tips to stay healthy', which contained such gems as 'keep an eye on your weight' and 'stop smoking'. Personally as a humanist, I think that people can do whatever they choose to with their own bodies ;)The random amateur illustrations brought absolutely nothing except extra pages to the book and it was just way too long overall. Still, probably interesting if you know nothing at all about humanism.
Images in this review
Top reviews from United Kingdom
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 September 2020
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 March 2023
Looking at the reviews, this is obviously a well received book, but if you're already a humanist and looking for depth then you won't find it here.
This is a collection of thoughtful quotes peppered with twee and sometimes patronising notes from the authors. I particularly cringed at the passages such as '6 tips to stay healthy', which contained such gems as 'keep an eye on your weight' and 'stop smoking'. Personally as a humanist, I think that people can do whatever they choose to with their own bodies ;)
The random amateur illustrations brought absolutely nothing except extra pages to the book and it was just way too long overall. Still, probably interesting if you know nothing at all about humanism.
This is a collection of thoughtful quotes peppered with twee and sometimes patronising notes from the authors. I particularly cringed at the passages such as '6 tips to stay healthy', which contained such gems as 'keep an eye on your weight' and 'stop smoking'. Personally as a humanist, I think that people can do whatever they choose to with their own bodies ;)
The random amateur illustrations brought absolutely nothing except extra pages to the book and it was just way too long overall. Still, probably interesting if you know nothing at all about humanism.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 September 2020
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 June 2021
