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The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Nonbeliever Paperback – November 6, 2007

by Christopher Hitchens (Editor, Introduction)

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Christopher Hitchens's personally curated New York Times bestselling anthology of the most influential and important writings on atheism, including original pieces by Salman Rushdie and Ian McEwan

From the #1 New York Times best-selling author of God Is Not Great, a provocative and entertaining guided tour of atheist and agnostic thought through the ages--with never-before-published pieces by Salman Rushdie, Ian McEwan, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali.Christopher Hitchens continues to make the case for a splendidly godless universe in this first-ever gathering of the influential voices--past and present--that have shaped his side of the current (and raging) God/no-god debate. With Hitchens as your erudite and witty guide, you'll be led through a wealth of philosophy, literature, and scientific inquiry, including generous portions of the words of Lucretius, Benedict de Spinoza, Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, Mark Twain, George Eliot, Bertrand Russell, Emma Goldman, H. L. Mencken, Albert Einstein, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and many others well-known and lesser known. And they're all set in context and commented upon as only Christopher Hitchens--"political and literary journalist extraordinaire" (Los Angeles Times)--can. Atheist? Believer? Uncertain? No matter: The Portable Atheist will speak to you and engage you every step of the way.

Print length

499 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Da Capo Press
Publication date

November 6, 2007
Dimensions

6.05 x 1.7 x 9.25 inches
ISBN-10

9780306816086
ISBN-13

978-0306816086
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hitchens, an avowed atheist and author of the bestseller God Is Not Great, is a formidable intellectual who finds the notion of belief in God to be utter nonsense. The author is clear in his introduction that religion has caused more than its fair share of world problems. "Religion invents a problem where none exists by describing the wicked as also made in the image of god and the sexually nonconformist as existing in a state of incurable mortal sin that can incidentally cause floods and earthquakes." The readings Hitchens chooses to bolster his atheist argument are indeed engaging and important. Hobbes, Spinoza, Mill and Marx are some of the heavyweights representing a philosophical viewpoint. From the world of literature the author assembles excerpts from Shelley, Twain, Conrad, Orwell and Updike. All are enjoyable to read and will make even religious believers envious of the talent gathered for this anthology. What these dynamic writers are railing against often enough, however, is a strawman: an immature, fundamentalist, outdated, and even embarrassing style of religion that many intelligent believers have long since cast off. It could be that Hitchens and his cast of nonbelievers are preaching to the choir and their message is tired and spent. However, this remains a fascinating collection of readings from some of the Wests greatest thinkers.

Review

"Those objections and the writings Hitchens assembles to buttress them will surely bring on new controversies which is just the sort of thing on which he has thrived over a long and fruitful career."
―Kirkus

"MY PRAYERS ARE answered! I'd always wanted a 500-page paperback crammed with arguments against the existence of God--and now, thanks to Christopher Hitchens, that tireless proselytizing rationalist, here it is."
―Adam Begley, New York Observer

"A fascinating collection of articles that just say no to religion...Required reading for anyone who believes, disbelieves, or just isn't sure yet."
―People "Critic's Choice"

"A great Christmas gift for anybody who doens't believe in Christmas. In fact, it's the closest thing to heaven a confirmed atheist is likely to find."
―Sunday Mercury

"Valuable."
―Library Journal

"Hitchens has returned to the Belief Wars backed by a full army...The Godless Warrior marshals in an Atheist A-Team."
―San Diego Union Tribune

"Should be sufficient fodder for anyone uncomfortable with the notion of a creator."
―Hartford Courant

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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0306816083
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Da Capo Press; 1st edition (November 6, 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 499 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780306816086
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0306816086
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.19 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.05 x 1.7 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #58,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #9 in Religious Literature Criticism
- #38 in Atheism (Books)
- #93 in Science & Religion (Books)

Customer Reviews:
921 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		77%
4 star		15%
3 star		5%
2 star		2%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Tom Monk

Thanks for compiling these essays Hitch!

Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2017

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I read this compilation some years ago when I was battling cancer. I had become a nonbeliever long before, but this set of writings and essays helped me clarify my thinking on the matter. Even better, it gave me confidence to admit how I had felt about religion for years to others and gave me ammunition to debate believers more easily. I am glad that Hitch took on the task or choosing and editing this compendium. Obviously, some of the essays are better than others, but the whole is better than the sum of the parts for me.

22 people found this helpful

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L. A. Veronie II

THOUGHT the masses cannot handle...

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2019

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What an absolute treasure trove of essential writings for those steeped in nonbelief! From Lucretius to Ibn Warraq with historical luminaries like Spinoza, Russell, Darwin, Freud, and even Lovecraft sandwiched between, this tome is definitive in it's selections, all-encompassing in it's scope, and just downright entertaining as well. The fact that Hitchens not only does the general book introduction but also the personal intros to every piece makes it all the more relevant and worthwhile. Do your questioning mind a huge favor and add it to your personal library!

7 people found this helpful

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J. Nenno

A must have for the dedicated atheist's bookshelf!

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2020

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I love this book. I had already read this once before I decided to buy it. It's a great collection of secular writing throughout history and a wonderful reference to have around the house. Definitely not a book for the staunch believer but a must have for the dedicated atheist. Also, Christopher Hitchens introductions are fantastic as always. His irreverent and erudite writing stryle always keeps me interested. You will forever be missed.

4 people found this helpful

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Jay

Nice, but some fairly heavy reading

Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2015

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I only discovered Christopher Hitchens about 1yr ago, but since that time I have been reading his works with enthusiasm. This book is not his writings of course, but a collection of writings that he finds important for non-believers. Thus, how could I turn down the advice of such a journalist.

I gave the book 4 stars based purely on the fact that individuals interested in discussing such topics as religion, belief/non-belief, should, as Hitchens suggests, be somewhat versed in the more historical writings. However, from the standpoint of reading, I found this book very challenging. I have 2 advanced degress in biology/medicine, and I'm not ashamed to say that I had to read many of the passages 2 or 3x to really get an understanding of what the author was trying to say. I mention the degrees not as evidence of intelligence, only to establish that I enjoy academic pursuits.....and this book would qualify as just that! If the topic of belief/non-belief is a passion/pursuit of yours, then this book would be valuable; however, if you are looking for some light reading in the evening, this may not be the best choice.

23 people found this helpful

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Les Johns

The breadth of the references and the depth to which they are examined is amazing and very satisfying

Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2016

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Well written, as is everything of Christopher Hitchens, although some points may be over emphasised. This may be because I accepted the argument of a point before it was made. The book is not just for the unbeliever it is very much for the questioning believer, if such a person exists. The breadth of the references and the depth to which they are examined is amazing and very satisfying. Of course it is possible to be left in doubt on some matters but it is likely that other work by Christopher Hitchens can resolve these problems. Books by Dawkins and Harris will be excellent companions to this and the author's other publications.

8 people found this helpful

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God, Zeus. And the Difference is?

Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2008

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"The Portable Atheist": what a wonderful read! It challenges, it amuses but, most of all, it has no time for the sheer and utter nonsense that is religion. And here, religion means all religions and not certain select ones.

Christopher Hitchens has compiled a thought provoking grab bag of readings from across the ages and across the planet. He begins with Lucretius and Thomas Hobbes and finishes with Sam Harris and Ayaan Hirsi Ali. In between, the reader is confronted by Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russell and Richard Dawkins. There are many sections that I enjoyed. For example, consider the following:

Mark Twain: "There was never yet a case of suffering or sorrow which God could not relieve. Does He sin, then?"

Elizabeth Anderson: "To a mainstream Christian, Jew or Muslim, nothing is more obvious than that founders and prophets of other religions...are either frauds or delusional". In other words, the faithful can readily see the flaws of other faiths but never the flaws of their own.

Ibn Warraq: "It is very odd that when God decides to manifest Himself, He does so only to one individual. Why can He not reveal Himself to the masses in a football stadium during the final of the World Cup". God sounds a bit like a UFO that is only seen by a hillbilly in the Ozarks.

There are many more quotes but I think the reader gets the flavour. This is a book to be enjoyed by the rational and despised by the irrational and their thought police. I recommend it wholeheartedly. However, if you ever doubt the stupidity of religion just try the Sam Harris line that replaces the word God with Zeus. This shows up religion for the ridiculous farce that it is.

39 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

andrew Morton

A Delightful Trumpet Blast of Truth Through The Ages!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 4, 2017

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"Portability" tends to suggest an object of smaller physical dimensions than this object. I'm tempted to subtract a star for the unnecessary thickness of paper chosen, completely the wrong paper in fact for any book of around 500 pages which clearly (by title) implies a purchasing individual should able to stuff such stuff in their back pocket and move on. However, "portable" atheistic material also suggests a document that continues to engage the intellect after many repeated readings and this book certainly does that. A great selection from the Hitch; to hear the trumpet blast of truth echoing through the years is all the sweeter a sound for the counterpoint it often plays to deeply god bothering times and places. This tome enlightens and inspires as it squashes and splatters deluded theologians all the way on its chronological journey from Lucretius to Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Highly recommended!

8 people found this helpful

Richard H

not that portable but a joy to carry...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2015

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For someone like myself who isn't great at reading whole novels in my busy life, this is a perfect book. An anthology of texts spanning over 2000 years by folks of sound mind and rigorous intellect writing on the irrational reality of religion and it false promises that condition subsequent generations to this day (sadly). As many text remind us, the only sense of reality and the cause and consequence of our actions is now and if the book preaches anything then it is we have the power to shape our own life through our humanity to each other and to believe in people over false gods. Atheists simply believe in the beauty and potential of the human race as this life is all we have and it is simply not true that faith has any monopoly on you being a good person. Packed with beautiful writing and points of view it's a great book to dip into when the TV is showing more acts of intolerance and reminding you we should fingers crossed evolved out of living through imaginary creatures to see we have, what is important the human race on this planet collectivity and how it is must be defined by our respect for each other.

2 people found this helpful

John

An indispensable collection

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2014

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Hitchens as done here a wonderful job of collecting here the works of great free-thinkers, rationalists, agnostics and atheists all through the ages. Some of these i was already familiar with yet others were new to me introducing me to some great pieces of writing. This book makes for excellent short reading with each chapter on average being 10-15min long allowing you get a bit of reading done as you await a meal order or while waiting in line at the grocery store. Its very quotable allowing you to quickly look up a counter argument to any theistic argument while also providing some pleasant reading with poetry, novel extracts and short essays. It has my full recommendation to anyone who wishes to join the ranks of the New Atheism movement

3 people found this helpful

M. B. P. Lee

Review: "The Portable Atheist" by Christopher Hitchens

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 30, 2013

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Review: "The Portable Atheist" by Christopher Hitchens

This book contains essays on the views of 47 famous authors, past and present, on the possible existence or non-existence of god, each in an independent chapter of its own contained within 480 pages. It has been edited in a similar style throughout and as each chapter is independent of the next, I could read a few pages or a chapter or two at a time and not lose the thread when I resumed reading later, even much later. Thus I was able to spread reading the book over a period of weeks and at my choosing without loss of continuity.

Whether the reader is a believer or not, this book will not be the decider, but it will illustrate that many great thinkers have given this matter some serious thoughts. Coupled with other threads on ancient religions and traditions, each reader should soon form their own perspectives of their beliefs, because if you have started your journey in searching for answers, surely you will find it.

2 people found this helpful

William

A gem

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 18, 2017

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For the serious Contrarian. Although he left us some years ago, his work thankfully is as much alive today as if he was sitting amongst us. Never tire of hearing Christopher Hitchens dissect an issue & convince us of the rightness of his perspective.

One person found this helpful

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