The Religion War [Hardcover]

Scott Adams (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 1, 2004

In this frenetically paced sequel to Adams' best-selling "thought experiment," God's Debris, the smartest man in the world is on a mission to stop a cataclysmic war between Christian and Muslim forces and save civilization. The brilliantly crafted, thought-provoking fable raises questions about the nature of reality and just where our delusions are taking us.

With publication of The Religion War, millions of long-time fans of Scott Adams' Dilbert cartoons and business best sellers will have to admit that the literary world is a better place with Adams on the loose spreading new ideas and philosophical conundrums.

Unlike God's Debris, which was principally a dialogue between its two main characters, The Religion War is set several decades in the future when the smartest man in the world steps between international leaders to prevent a catastrophic confrontation between Christianiy and Islam. The parallels between where we are today and where we could be in the near future are clear.

According to Adams, The Religion War targets "bright readers with short attention spans-everyone from lazy students to busy book clubs." But while the book may be a three-hour read, it's packed with concepts that will be discussed long after the last page is turned, including a list of "Questions to Ponder in the Shower" that reinforce the story's purpose of highlighting the most important-yet most ignored-questions in the world.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

What started as a doodle has turned Scott Adams into a superstar of the cartoon world. Dilbert debuted on the comics page in 1989, while Adams was in the tech department at Pacific Bell. Adams continued to work at Pacific Bell until he was voluntarily downsized in 1995. He has lived in the San Francisco Bay area since 1979.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing; First Edition edition (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740747886
• ISBN-13: 978-0740747885
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #482,343 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

What started as a doodle has turned Scott Adams into a superstar of the cartoon world. Dilbert debuted on the comics page in 1989 while Adams was in the tech department at Pacific Bell. Adams continued to work at Pacific Bell until he was voluntarily downsized in 1995. He has lived in the San Francisco Bay area since 1979.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A humorous view on solving Big World Problems May 27, 2005

By Sander Claassen

Format:Hardcover

This book is a sequel to God's Debris, so in general this book should only be recommended to those who read that book and liked it. [For those interested, see my review for God's Debris.]

But a nuance should be made. In a sense, God's Debris was only a theoretical thought experiment about the universe, putting a grin on your face. What The Religion War brings along from God's Debris is its main character, "the smartest man in the world" and his unusual theories. He now has to apply his knowledge in saving the world from a complete war between Muslims and Christians (yes, this book has a plot).

So, although I would still classify this book as humorous, it has much more of a political undertone. Living in the world after 9/11, what would YOU do if you had all knowledge? How would you deal with people who do not want to let go of their beliefs, even if these are completely incompatible with those of other people? Of course, Adams comes with some miraculous solutions, some of which will remind you of his smartness in God's Debris.

Although I think God's Debris was better in giving some very original insights, making it more of a "classic" than The Religion War, I very much appreciated Adams' typical way of presenting a doom scenario for our near future and then making use of his logic and humor to present solutions.

My only worry is that those who probably most need to read this book (because they are so stubborn) will never do so, because they lack a sense of humor.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a bad followup to God's Debris September 29, 2005

By Jason Pratt

Format:Hardcover

I don't read much fiction, but this book's narrative felt a little stilted to me. The lack of "fluffy" dialog or descriptive detail, for which Adams had an explanation, also seemed to make the plot less believable. Anyway, the plot was really just a prop for the philosophical questions this book asks, so anyone looking for gripping narrative should look elsewhere.

I gather the average reader is looking for more of the God's Debris type stuff, and it is there. While not groundshaking it is nicely presented and does give a chuckle and sometimes a deep thought. Kudos to Scott Adams.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, thought-provoking Book! April 4, 2005

By Nurse/midwife/educator

Format:Hardcover

This book by Scott Adams is a novel. But it has many very interesting parallels and possible projected future events which mirror the time we are living in now. The story, set in the near future, is all too plausible - Christians, led by the U.S., and Muslims, led by a renegade leader, have reached the point of serious preparation for an all-out complete war to the death of civilization. Along comes a man known simply as the Avatar, who is "the smartest man in the world", who tries to figure out what one thing can stop this ultimate catastrophe. During the story, he encounters both leaders, examines the fact that they each believe that he alone is chosen by God to carry out His will, and that the other is evil. The book includes philosophy, religion, computers, human nature, politics, and fascinating questions about life, the universe, belief, and logic. It is provocative, and thought provoking. Highly recommended!