James A. Haught

More a work of epigrams than a look at the history of disbelief. Haught has collected sayings dating back to the ancient Greeks, and arranged them roughly in chronological order, though the nature of overlapping life cycles leads to some backing up occasionally, as does the fact that he covers different parts of the world in different chapters. Some of the quotes are absolutely sublime; others are good, and of course many of them are mediocre, because it seems to be a rule with a book of this sort that you must catch the most brilliant minds in moments of mediocrity. Not all the brilliant minds in this book are non-believers; in fact, a fair number of Deists grace the pages. A quick read, and lots of quotable pithy (and not so pithy) sayings.… (altro)

Essays previously published in various print sources. These essays are the author's take on the intersection of atheism and American society. Well written, in a journalistic style, since most of them appeared in newspapers or magazines. The pieces are short and to the point, and as a result, some detail may be sacrificed in some of them, but they are well researched and well written. The book does not present any deep philosophical arguments, does not take up the questions of "sophisticated theology", but instead looks at belief as it intersects societal practices. A good appetizer, but really only a nibble at a complex subject.… (altro)