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| The God Delusion | 
 enlarge | Author: Richard Dawkins
Publisher: Black Swan
Category: Book
List Price: £8.99
Buy New: £4.30
You Save: £4.69 (52%)
New (35) Used (11) from £4.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  745 reviews
Sales Rank: 34
Media: Paperback
Edition: New Ed with additions
Pages: 464
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5 x 1.6
ISBN: 055277331X
EAN: 9780552773317
Publication Date: May 21, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 After gobbling it up, it left a bitter taste. September 2, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
As an atheist myself, I relished the coming of Dawkins' take on atheist theory. I wondered how he would tackle it. I found myself enjoying the flow of the book and reached the end with a few new interesting arguments and ideas (hadn't heard of his meme idea before, sounds like a bit of a dangerous oversimplification to me and a bit of a slap in the face of anthropologists and developmental psychologists) BUT at the end something didn't sit right. A bit like that feeling a few hours before you realise you are about to be violently ill after eating something dodgy. You can't quite put your finger on it. I wasn't happy.
After reading it again, slower this time, I realised it was a combination of unsettling feelings - The feeling that I had just been yelled at for several hours by an angry, red-faced little man, the feeling that someone had just insulted the intelligence of some of my best friends, the feeling that I had just read an argument on the fundamentals of modern theology in the style of an impassioned Daily Mail columnist (OH WONT SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!) and the feeling that my own personal quest for some bloody answers and help with religious philosophy was no further forward.
From my own limited experience, I have seen science (especially medical science) is prone to fashions and fads. More often than not the fascinating ebb and flow of scientific development is driven by enthusiasts, and then substantiated or refuted by a collection of careful objective analyses drawn together from other parties. It has taught me to welcome the passionate argument (for without it we will never advance our way of thinking) but also to never trust anyone with unshakable strongly held convictions. There is something out there he just hasn't thought of.
Nietzsche said "Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies." But then again, Louisa May Alcott, who wrote Little Women, and was a transcendentalist, abolitionist feminist (now that's a lot of convictions!), apparently said; "He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions." So maybe I'm wrong on the whole thing. Oh dash my weak doubting mind. Thanks a lot Dawkins, now look what you have done!
Anyway, to conclude my ramble, I would recommend that everyone should read this book, even though many won't like it. It is a very important book of our times and has really ruffled some feathers. It has generated such debate that you will feel academically redundant if you haven't read it and it comes up in conversation. It will not change your life as Dawkins hopes it will. If you have read it and you think it has changed your life, I would respond to the bitter taste in the back of your throat and read it again. And whatever you do, don't let it be the only book you ever read on the subject. He may now be the most well known author to write about atheism, it doesn't make him the best.
Enjoy the search.
 Not wanting to start a debate here, but this is complete drivel. September 2, 2008
2 out of 8 found this review helpful
Attempting to look at this from a non-religious point of view (myself being a practicing high Anglican), I must say that having read Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion", I found the book to be poorly structured, rambling and incredibly one sided.
I had never read any of Professor Dawkins' books before this, but when I did I was not surprised to find that his written persona is almost as irritating as his television persona. When on telivision he will face his opponent in a debate and tell them (usually) that they are deluded, therefore wrong, therefore stupid, rather than explaining his own views to them. This book is no different; Professor Dawkins has formed no argument whatsoever and reaches no conclusion by the end of it. Whilst some may consider this book a "masterpiece", all it is effectively is a 400 page rant by one of the most egocentric scholars that the world has produced.
The book itself isn't even that interesting either. The first three chapters are littered with Professor Dawkins saying how "In this book I am going to disprove the existance of God", or variants thereof. From that it seems that instead of deciding on a question to answer and then gathering views to fuel a discussion, he seems to have decided upon the answer to the question before he has written the book, making it so incredibly one-sided that it is difficult to convince yourself that this is an Oxford Professor writing.
I say in this review that Professor Dawkins has formed no argument in this book. Some may disagree with me, however, but it is painfully obvious that he hasn't. Indeed, the entire book is riddled with quotes from other people that he has copied into his book. I can not honestly say that, having read this book, I feel Professor Dawkins has created a well-structured, "truthful" argument if he is using other people's words.
What I find most irritating about this book is the collection of theories by which Professor Dawkins attempts to disprove the existance of God. These theories seem to be none other than what he thinks is wrong with religion and those who practice them (or even just a few religious fanatics). He seems to think this is sufficient grounds for his views, and by these attempts to justifiy his outspoken hostility.
I borrowed this book from a friend, and I must say I'm glad I did, as I would have regretted spending my own money on this rubbish. I'm not pretending I know all the answers, but it seems to me that Richard Dawkins generally feels that anything that rolls off his tongue is undeniable fact and that it is the be-all-and-end-all. This book is no exception to this.
Needless to say, I was not convinced.
 A Tough, Controversial Subject Made Approachable and Digestable September 2, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
No doubt, this is a controversial book. But, it is controversial only for those who disagree with Dawkins' explanations or do not have an open mind or both. What I enjoyed about the book is that Richard Dawkins is an excellent and very readable writer. He presents his ideas and explanations in a way that do not have to be offensive but can be stimulating if you are willing to accept that the true answers may not be known by anyone. I like how his style of writing creates almost a serenity in accepting the unknown. No one can stop you from finding joy in belief. But, it is important to understand what you believe and why. It is important to also understand where the pitfalls in those beliefs might be.
I think, for anyone who has a religion, it is important to not become complacent with your faith and accept everything at face value. Faith isn't faith if it is done by rote.
That Dawkins challenges these beliefs and gives explanations for where they originate and why people need religion can help people to be stronger in their faith, if that is what they choose. Or, if they choose, they can evaluate how they have come to believe what they believe and find out if it is really the truth for them? Or are they living someone else's lie?
Reading this book is a step towards authenticity in living and faith. If faith cannot stand up to examination and challenge and logic, then it is not really faith at all.
Excellent book! Highly recommended for those who have an open mind or are prepared to open their minds.
Must read September 1, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have read several of Dawkins' books. I generally like them, and one of his great strengths is that he is capable of explaining complex concepts with great clarity. I fall short of calling myself a fan, but this is not the place to discuss the reasons for that.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and purchased multiple copies to give away as Christmas and birthday presents. I did not give copies to any of my Christian friends, and I can understand why Christians might be offended by it's tone, which is somewhat irreverant. However, I think that is what makes it so entertaining.
One of the main criticisms levelled at this book is that it is less scholarly than his earlier works. That is true, but again that is one of the reasons I like it so much. It does not attempt to be scholarly, which I find very refreshing. If I were to criticise, I would point out that it has nothing new to say. There is absolutely nothing here that has not been said before. In fact, one of the reasons I like this book so much is that many of the points raised are the kind of questions I put to my RE teachers when I was at school, XX years ago. These questions were never answered to my satisfaction, and I was dismissed as an impudent schoolboy (which I was). The whole point is that these long-standing issues have still not been dealt with in a satisfactory manner, and are continually ignored. However, when someone with the intellectual credibility of Richard Dawkins raises them, it is not so easy to ignore them.
I do not agree with every arguement in this book. I personally know people who take a great deal of comfort from their religious beliefs, and it is that comfort which is important rather than whether their beliefs are correct or not. I can think of nothing to be gained by trying to take that away from them. I would be happy to enter into a debate with Dawkins over whether religion is a bad thing, because I do think he is quite blinkered in this matter. However, if he moderated his views, it would make for a less interesting debate, and a less evocative read.
I am currently reading some of the books published in response to the God Delusion, none of which, so far, are significantly more scholarly than Dawkins book. But at least a debate is being had, and I am enjoying reading all sides of that debate.
Fantastic Read August 26, 2008
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is one of Dawkins best books by far, and one which I have now read several times. I would highly recomend to anybody interested in clear logical arguments for the non existance of the supernatural god character.
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