A Beginner’s Guide to Atheism

I always prefer to listen to an audiobook narrated by the author. I think there is an element of authenticity that is not present otherwise. Hitch is an excellent orator but this book was poorly read. The sound goes in and out and becomes difficult to hear at times. It was thoroughly distracting from the essays.

God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything is a collection of essays written by one of the paragons of modern atheism, Christopher Hitchens. Hitch discusses his own childhood and frequently uses his own experiences to develop a thought or a point. That said, most of his arguments are reason and evidenced based which builds the credibility of the claims.
I expected to love this book. I am an atheist and reading a book that justifies one’s own beliefs is usually a recipe for success. That reasoning is quite circular and perhaps that is the reason I did not love the book. I agree with the points made by Hitch and I think my own belief structure encouraged me to question his authority. I found most of the evidence, though accurate, to be circumstantial, in spite of its grandeur. Attacks on the Catholic Church are commonplace and often valid but Hitch’s evidence usually covered individuals and broad themes. I found the title more controversial than the book itself.

I would recommend the book to anyone that is currently questioning their faith as it will provide a differing opinion. Hitch doesn’t force his lack of faith upon anyone in this book. God is Not Great is, essentially, a beginner’s guide to atheism.