"The Portable Atheist" by Christopher Hitchens - general discussion

[[deleted user]]

We'll be reading The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Nonbeliever by Christopher Hitchens through the end of October.

This thread can be used to give book reviews as well as for a general discussion of the book. Please feel free to start a new discussion in the book club folder if you'd like to focus on specific aspects of or ideas from the book.

[Dean]

Thos book's going to take awhile. Just finished the Lucretius, but I think I need to read it again to absorb it. However, I love this bit, "When in full view on the earth man's life lay rotting and loathsome, Crushed 'neath the ponderous load of Religion's cruel burdensome shackles..."

[Starfoxie]

Been listening to this on the train home from work. Almost done - however as an audiobook I sometimes have to listen to certain parts over again to fully understand.

[Betsy]

I don't think I'm going to be able to read it all at one time. It will be a good book to leave on my kindle to read selections over a period of months.

[Mimi V]

Starfoxie wrote: "Been listening to this on the train home from work. Almost done - however as an audiobook I sometimes have to listen to certain parts over again to fully understand."

who reads it? do they have different readers for each section?

[James]

I rate this book at or near the top of the must-own list for any atheist that really wants to understand and feel the full substance of the variety of arguments against religion and theism, but it is a lot to digest at once. I had to take it one or two sections at a time and then put it down for at least a day while I pondered it. Hitchens did a wonderful job compiling it, and his commentary on each piece is spot-on.

I was really stunned and excited by the inclusion of Mark Twain. As it turns out, growing up in the South, one is exposed to Twain in high school, of course, but given absolutely no indication of his thoughts about religion. His pen is fiercely sharp, as ever, and I think the right pieces were chosen to really highlight that while scoring heavy points. On the other hand, I still think the weightiest piece in here is the one from John Stuart Mill.

[Kate]

Great collection of atheist writings, though it is a hard one to get through all at once. I'd suggest keeping it close at hand, and reading one essay at a time, taking time in between to read something silly like a Terry Pratchett novel. Of course, if you just can't stop reading (which is very possible given the sheer quality of the essays) you will not be sorry.

[Kate]

Xox wrote: "I have added this to my to-read list but haven't started it yet.

Glad it got your support. Could you link your reviews? Thanks."

That *was* my review. Haven't written very many actual reviews to post, just thought I'd give my $.02 about the book.