Customer Reviews

Martyrdom of Man

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Although one may not agree with the author's religious beliefs, or lack thereof, his keen insights into human nature and man's journey through time are quite remarkable. This book is difficult to put down once started, and likely to be read many times once read for the first time. I happened onto it by reading that it was one of Winston Churchill's favorite books. It is now one of mine.

The above would be an appropriate title for this concise and unpretentious account of human development.

My first reading of the book was many years ago and was invaluable in formulating an understanding of how civilization began and particularly in withstanding the nonsense produced by the present day "anthropologists" who make the definition of civilization a shifting target.

If this book were to be the basis of a definition of civilization it would begin a useful science of anthropology and a reaming out of the nonsense that has inundated this area of endeavour.

The style in which the book is written makes surprisingly absorbing and light reading considering the scope and weight of the topic .

The sombre title is witness only to an unassuming presentation of an Author sympathetic to his subject.

That this book reamins relevant so many years after it's publication does say much about the validity of the content. It is a thought proviking read even when so many other, more modern authors have argued similar subjects, and regardless of religious belief (or lack therof), I think, there is still much that can be taken from this. Again, a fascinating read that I did not expect from the original publication date and has rivaled or rises to the level of much of the modern humanist literature. If you have any interest in humanism/atheism, this is a surprisingly easy read, and one of my favorites on the subject.

(From another's review): "The Martyrdom of Man," by the atheist/agnostic traveller and writer, William Winwood Reade (1838-1875). 445 pages. This was a Victorian work, originally published in 1872. It provided a freethinking view of the history of civilisation, as revolutionary at the time, as Darwin's view of Science. There is a publisher's note to the reader at the front "...it is interesting to note how far Winwood Reade's predictions have been justified by events." The contents include: Author's Preface; War; Egypt; Western Asia: The Persians; The Greeks, The Macedonians, Alexandria, The Phoenicians, Carthage and Rome Roman Africa The Arabs; Religion The Natural History of Religion: The Israelites, The Jews, The Prophets, The Character of Jesu,s The Christians, Arabia, Mecca The Character of Mahomet, Description of Africa: The Mahometans in Central Africa Liberty, Ancient Europe: The German Invasion The Castle The Town The Church Venice Arab Spain The Portuguese Discoveries The Slave-Trade, Abolition in Europe Abolition in America; Materials of Human History: Intellect Animal Period of the Earth, Origin and Early History of Man, Summary of Universal History, The Future of the Human Race, The Religion of Reason and Love.

(From another's review): "The Martyrdom of Man," by the atheist/agnostic traveller and writer, William Winwood Reade (1838-1875). 445 pages. This was a Victorian work, originally published in 1872. It provided a freethinking view of the history of civilisation, as revolutionary at the time, as Darwin's view of Science. There is a publisher's note to the reader at the front "...it is interesting to note how far Winwood Reade's predictions have been justified by events." The contents include: Author's Preface; War; Egypt; Western Asia: The Persians; The Greeks, The Macedonians, Alexandria, The Phoenicians, Carthage and Rome Roman Africa The Arabs; Religion The Natural History of Religion: The Israelites, The Jews, The Prophets, The Character of Jesu,s The Christians, Arabia, Mecca The Character of Mahomet, Description of Africa: The Mahometans in Central Africa Liberty, Ancient Europe: The German Invasion The Castle The Town The Church Venice Arab Spain The Portuguese Discoveries The Slave-Trade, Abolition in Europe Abolition in America; Materials of Human History: Intellect Animal Period of the Earth, Origin and Early History of Man, Summary of Universal History, The Future of the Human Race, The Religion of Reason and Love.