The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Nonbeliever

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.

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!

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.

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.

"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.

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.

"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!

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.

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

Review: "The Portable Atheist" by Christopher HitchensThis 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.

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.

I'll admit I haven't read the Hume essay yet but I ate the rest of the book and have a copy on my iPhone so I can dip into it whenever I'm stuck on the tube without something to read. This book offers evidence of Hitchens wide reading and each essay seems perfectly placed in the collection.Like all good collections this book should serve as an introduction to authors you may have neglected, ignored or been unaware of. For me, George Eliots essay was a very welcome surprise. Reading it made me realise what a dimwit I'd been to neglect her and encouraged me to start reading her novels with Middlemarch.

Hitchens never fails - he is sorely missed - this is just what I needed, now that Christopher has "converted me" - EVIDENCE! (Or perhaps I should say 'Evidence of an indication and consideration of a lack of evidence? (Hmm - thought provoking, which has to be a good thing).

Couldn't put this book down. Having been raised a catholic with the choir boy background I was compelled to find any truth in what to me could only be summarised as unbelievable BS.Having done my research, this is now the only book I believe in.

A book of reference, and essential readings, guaranteed to inspire and enlighten, both confirmed atheists and doubtful theists.A very broad spectrum of views from ancient times to modern day. Astounding.

Contributions by iconic writers make this book an enjoyable read. Thought provoking, intellectual stimulation and insights. They really are well picked writings by Christopher, "Essential" is the right word!We lost an absolute treasure with the passing of Christopher Hitchens. - His legacy of education in logic, rationality, and intellectual growth, lives on.

Many of the chapters in this book, especially the ancient/medieval ones, are boring, and I don't think I'm ever able to finish this book. And I say this as a devout atheist.

Being a long time Atheist (since being 15/16 and I'm now 75+)- very, very clearly Mankind created god and NOT the other way around.

I have found this to be a most stimulating and rewarding read. At last we have the voices of reason pulling away the dark veils of established religions. If only radical fundamentalists could accept a more rational approach to belief systems by reading this book then the world would be a saner place to be.It's time to confine all Gods to the realms of mythology.

I felt as though I was looking through a time-portal reading some of the passages selected by Hitchens. Indeed, his witty introductions were often the crux of the book, but the testaments from across several centuries by skeptics, atheists and agnostics alike were among the most fascinating reads of my life.Special mentions go to Spinoza, Darwin, Twain, Freud, Einstein, Russell, Sagan, Dawkins, McEwan, Weinberg, Warraq, Harris and Grayling.

some very interesting viewpoints from reknowned writers - wish i'd discovered this the day it was published