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.

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Product details

Publisher : Biteback; 1st edition (19 July 2012)
Language: : English
Hardcover : 240 pages
ISBN-10 : 1849543119
ISBN-13 : 978-1849543118
Dimensions : 13.6 x 2.3 x 20.3 cm

Best Sellers Rank: 1,311,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 718 in Agnosticism & Atheism

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78 ratings

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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.

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ClaireC

A very good book!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 November 2014

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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 world view, and the process which enabled him to reject the faith his Bangladeshi community wholeheartedly bought into. It was a process that many atheists, either brought up within a faith or not, can instantly identify with, myself included.

Around the very personal details are the authors arguments which strengthens his assertion of there being no God. He cites scientific and philosophical evidence to explain issues such as love, death, racism, and mental health issues.

I struggle with Hitchens et al, because I find their writing to be very repetitive. I found this book startling, maybe to revealing and honest, and so familiar to my own story. A very good book.

2 people found this helpful

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sugarmouse

Lovely honest and interesting read, definately not just for young people.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 August 2018

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This was written for young people but as an thirty seven year old woman I couldn't put it down. The author talks with such honesty but also sensitivity about those who are still believers. Don't dismiss it as just for teenagers. It's a really interesting read for everyone.

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Nurjahan Begum

Courageous, thought provoking, emotional honest journey- Simple and Brilliant read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 September 2012

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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.

8 people found this helpful

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David Wenman

As soon as he finishes his A levels and gets a job in a smart London hotel reality strikes

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 October 2014

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This is a very autobiographical book by a young man born into a Muslim family and being brought up in London. As soon as he finishes his A levels and gets a job in a smart London hotel reality strikes. I found the book very honest, well written and quite amusing. I loved the early chapter about eating bacon.

The length is perfect and the footnotes very comprehensive so that if the reader wants to go further into the subject its easy to do.
I would recommend this book as a present not just for a young lad but for anyone with an open mind.

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Amazon Customer

A route map to personal integrity

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 November 2012

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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, his friends and the wider world. As the book title implies, his journey, intellectually courageous and still in progress, takes him to the realisation that there is no place for God in a rational person's view of the world. His writing is a delight and he does not preach but gently explains how he came to think and behave the way he now does. One senses very strongly that journey has been immensely liberating for him.

Alom Shaha's book is not so much a handbook as a map or template for a journey that anyone can take who finds the courage to assess and assert what they really think and believe.

The book is suitable for people of all ages!

3 people found this helpful

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Helen

Not just for atheists

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 October 2019

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I'm a theist, but found this an interesting read. Deep in places & humorous in others. I've recommended to others.

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s norman

Informative, entertaining, moving and captivating

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 August 2012

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This book is a must-read for anyone interested in why we believe what we do.

Compassionate and yet opinionated, the YAH explores the cultural sensitivities around declaring yourself an atheist - but this book is as much about religion as the denouncement of it. Rather than join the ranks of angry atheist publications, Shaha focuses more on the personal journey to an open mind, with a huge emphasis on the circumstances under which people form their beliefs and faith.

Immensely readable, this is one of those books that you put down feeling wiser, satisfied and more enlightened than when you started it.

3 people found this helpful

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barbara cattell

A personal journey

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 March 2013

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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 it!

Anyone with a enquirying mind would find this book fascinating. Christians don't have a monoply on morals or being "good". Alom explains (amongst other things) that it's possible to be "good" for "goodness" sake without following any religious path.

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