The Great Infidels [Paperback]

Robert G. Ingersoll (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1990 | ISBN-10: 0910309086 | ISBN-13: 978-0910309080 | Edition: Rev Sub

With a foreword by Jon G. Murray, former president of American Atheists Inc., the book is an eloquent summary of the lives of the "Great Infidels" of western history. Written by the "Great Infidel" orator of the 19th century Robert G. Ingersoll, the book discusses the origin of God and Heaven, the Devil and Hell, sacred books, the "appeal to the cemetery" as an argumentational ploy, and the role of fear in religion. It epitomizes the lives of Julian, Bruno, Voltaire, Diderot, Hume, Spinoza, Thomas Paine, and others.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

We have passed midnight in the great struggle between Fact and Faith, between Science and Superstition. The brand of intellectual inferiority is now upon the orthodox brain.

The history of intellectual progress is written in the lives of Infidels. Political rights have been preserved by traitors -- the liberty of the mind by heretics. To attack the king was treason -- to dispute the priest was blasphemy. The sword and the cross were allies. They defended each other. The throne and altar were twins -- vultures from the same egg.

Infidels are intellectual discoverers. They sail the unknown seas and find new isles and continents in the infinite realms of thought. An Infidel is one who has found a new fact, who has an idea of his own, and who in the mental sky has seen another star. He is an intellectual capitalist, and for that reason excites the envy and hatred of the theological pauper.

About the Author

Robert Green Ingersoll (1833-99) was an American orator. Son of a Congregationalist minister, he was trained in law and admitted to the Bar in 1854, and he rapidly showed promise of becoming one of the most brilliant attorneys in America. His title of Colonel belongs to the Civil War, when he served in the cavalry. He began in 1960 to give Rationalist lectures, and during the next 30 years his vibrant oratory, warm sentiment, and impressive personality made him the most effective force for progress in the New World. His direct and trenchant criticism of Christianity, enlivened by wit and satire and infused with the rich and fine emotionalism of his character, instead of alienating believers, drew crowded audiences in nearly every town in America. ...he was one of America's greatest orators, and second only to Voltaire in the history of Rationalism.

Joseph McCabe, A Rationalist Encyclopaedia

Product Details

• Paperback: 68 pages
• Publisher: American Atheist Press; Rev Sub edition (June 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0910309086
• ISBN-13: 978-0910309080
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,021,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tribute to Some Great Freethinkers, January 12, 2002

By 

dennis middlebrooks (new york, new york United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great Infidels (Paperback)

In the Great Infidels, Robert Ingersoll (who surely falls into that category!) writes brief but illuminating biographies of some of the finest minds in the history of freethought (e.g. Thomas Paine and Voltaire). Ingersoll's style is poetic and fluid, and his words still ring true. I learned a great deal from this book about the struggle that freethinkers throughout history had to wage against the forces of ignorance and superstition. Now that religious fundamentalists control the White House and Congress, we need the truths of Robert Ingersoll more than ever. This small book is a great introduction to freethought and would make a perfect gift for a young person. It is certainly a must addition to any freethought library.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eloquent Eulogies for Some of the Greatest Freethinkers, December 18, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Great Infidels (Paperback)

The master orator eloquently eulogizes a few of the world's greatest freethinkers (Bruno, Voltaire, Paine, etc.). He boldly states what their honest and courageous minds endowed to humanity. He also dispenses with the clergy who so ravenously attack the character of these brilliant lovers of Liberty and Reason.