my introduction to atheism. hitchens has balls of steel. not a great book to bring out to read

I don't know why I keep adding books that I'm "currently reading." "Currently reading" means I take the book out while I'm on the light rail so that I can avoid making eye contact with anyone. But I've actually made much more progress with this one than the other books on my currently reading shelf, so I may actually finish it. In May. WHEN I'M FINISHED WITH MY DEGREE, BITCHES!

I really enjoyed Christopher's take on religion. It allowed me to learn a lot of new things as well as develop stronger opinions against religion. I've never been religious and this is a good book for anyone to read if they are on the fence about such topics.

Hitchens is a good writer and well spoken but reduces "religion" to a very simplistic caricature. I was really hoping for a well thought out discussion about the concept of God.

This book should be taught alongside religious texts in all schools, across all countries. I wonder if these men knew the repercussions their words would have many moons later would they have dared writing these stories in the first place. I've been watching Christopher Hitchens for many years now and I urge you to do the same, regardless of if you are religious or not. A great mind gone too soon. Favourite chapters - A Note on Health, Arguments from Design, Religion as an Original Sin, Is Religion Child Abuse and The Resistance of the Rational.

one of the books that shaped me

Christopher Hitchens is sharp and accurate in his critique of religion. His expertise comes from being well-traveled and knowledgeable about many types of people and places. I can get behind most of Hitchens' ideas, except his root argument—which is his subtitle. Religion, in my opinion, does not poison everything. Ignorance, refusing to become educated, and pride poison everything. It just so happens that many forms of religiosity are founded upon those poisonous principles.