Superstition and Other Essays [Hardcover]

Robert Green Ingersoll (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2004

In this volume are collected his best-known lectures on religion, the Bible, and related subjects. Included are: Why I Am an Agnostic; The Truth; What Is Religion?; Superstition; What Infidels Have Done; What Should You Substitute for the Bible as a Moral Guide?; Crumbling Creeds; The Liberty of Man, Woman, and Child; and, Love. This outstanding collection is indispensable for freethinkers, humanists, and open-minded people of all persuasions.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Civil War veteran, successful lawyer, spellbinding orator, and controversial iconoclast, Robert G. Ingersoll (1833-1899) was one of the best-known intellectuals of the nineteenth century. HE rose to national prominence through his oratorical skills, which he publicly displayed on numerous lecture circuit tours. For almost twenty years this dedicated popularizer of progressive thinking and staunch critic of superstition would regularly address huge audiences, opening their minds to ideas that often provoked guarded whispers in private. Ingersoll was a man far ahead of his time, who advocated agnosticism, birth control, voting rights for women, the advancement of science, and civil rights for all races. Though eloquent on a wide variety of topics, he became most famous, and notorious, for his provocative lectures questioning the traditional, Bible-based Christian worldview of the age.

In this volume are collected his best-known lectures on religion, the Bible, morality, and related subjects. In the first essay, Ingersoll sets out "Why I Am an Agnostic." He next explores humankind's search for "The Truth." In "What Is Religion?" he details its effect on people and whether humanity can reform without religion. He next explains what "Superstition" is and what harm it does, and how rational beings overcome it. The positive things nonbelievers have contributed to society are highlighted in "What Infidels Have Done." Ingersoll recommends intelligence in "What Should You Substitute for the Bible?" In the next essay he states that the "Crumbling Creeds" of religious authority are passing away as humans become more enlightened. "The Liberty of Man, Woman, and Child" is brought about by intellectual development. The final essay is Ingersoll's gentle testimony to the power of "Love."

This outstanding collection is indispensable for freethinkers, humanists, and open-minded people of all persuasions.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 169 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591021707
• ISBN-13: 978-1591021704
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,226,096 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Forgotten giant., April 16, 2006

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Michael G. "mikefromrochester" (Rochester, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Superstition and Other Essays (Hardcover)

Robert G. Ingersoll (1833-1899) was a giant of his time. Sadly, his life and work are known to only a few today. Even the most educated among us are unlikely to have ever heard of him. Ingersoll was many things: skilled lawyer, dynamic orator, progressive Republican and proud religious agnostic. Perhaps more importantly, he was a loving husband and father and a kind and gentle man.
His advice and counsel were sought by many Presidents and would be Presidents. Aside from a stint as Illinois Attorney General, he never held public office himself. His outspoken disavowal of his Christian background rendered him unelectable.
Yet thousands would happily flock to hear his fiery and riveting oratory as he travelled widely expounding on a number of topics. It has been said that in the pre-phonographic era his voice was heard by more Americans than that of any other individual.

This slim volume gives the reader a sampling of a few of Ingersoll's essays and speeches. Each is artfully written and together they illustrate his love of truth and beauty and his uncompromising hatred for unnecessary suffering, ignorance and hypocrisy. Perhaps the best selection is the first, entitled Why I am an Agnostic.

Ingersoll was ahead of his time and now, more than 100 years after his death, it is apparent he was ahead of our time as well. I can honestly say he is the only historical figure I have wished I could have met. For a thorough introduction to the life and humanistic philosophy of Robert G. Ingersoll, I suggest reading Robert G. Ingersoll, a Life by Frank Smith.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Good Read From an American Great, February 20, 2006

By 

E Neel (Houston TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Superstition and Other Essays (Hardcover)

Read this over a couple weekends during semesters. Ingersoll is a very 'fluid' author, his use of simple language helps the reader move through his texts very quickly while still retaining his message. Whether one hates his ideas or not the fact that he knows how to use the English language well cannot be diputed. Highly recommend this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars robert ingersoll, March 20, 2010

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JR - See all my reviews

This review is from: Superstition and Other Essays (Hardcover)

There are some great essays by Ingersoll intermixed with a few of his mediocre ones. Overall the read was very enjoyable. Its hard to disagree with the other editors above. The man was truly a spectacular writer and in my opinion would have been as famous as Mark Twain today if not for his religious beliefs. For those who haven't read any of his essays before they are written in an oratory style. You can really envision him speaking the words to a large crowd when you read them. My only criticism about the book is the editors choice of essays to include. He includes many great ones, but also left out other terrific essays that would have been better substitutes for a few he chose. On the upside the book does have a lot of essays compared to other similar books and also a few hard to find ones too. Overall I highly recommend the book, the problems aside its still a great read.