"The End of Faith articulates the dangers and absurdities of organized religion so fiercely and so fearlessly that I felt relieved as I read it, vindicated....Harris writes what a sizable number of us think, but few are willing to say."―Natalie Angier, ?New York Times

In ?The End of Faith?, Sam Harris delivers a startling analysis of the clash between reason and religion in the modern world. He offers a vivid, historical tour of our willingness to suspend reason in favor of religious beliefs―even when these beliefs inspire the worst human atrocities. While warning against the encroachment of organized religion into world politics, Harris draws on insights from neuroscience, philosophy, and Eastern mysticism to deliver a call for a truly modern foundation for ethics and spirituality that is both secular and humanistic. Winner of the 2005 PEN/Martha Albrand Award for Nonfiction.

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Product details

Publisher : W. W. Norton; 1st edition (Sept. 27 2005)
Language : English
Paperback : 348 pages
ISBN-10 : 0393327655
ISBN-13 : 978-0393327656
Item Weight : 308 g
Dimensions : 13.97 x 2.29 x 21.08 cm

Best Sellers Rank: #21,988 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5 in Rationalist Philosophy
- #11 in Religious Psychology (Books)
- #21 in Terrorism (Books)

Customer Reviews:
1,143 ratings

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Review

“A genuinely frightening book.... Read Sam Harris and wake up.” (Richard Dawkins - The Guardian)^“Sam Harris launches a sustained nuclear assault.... A brave, pugilistic attempt to demolish the walls that currently insulate religious people from criticism.... Badly needed.” (Johann Hari - The Independent)^“A radical attack on the most sacred of liberal precepts―the notion of tolerance.... An eminently sensible rallying cry for a more ruthless secularisation of society.” (Stephanie Merritt - The Observer)^“Shows how the perfect tyranny of religious and secular totalitarianism demonizes imperfect democracies such as the United States and Israel. A must read for all rational people.” (Alan Dershowitz, professor of law at Harvard University and author of America on Trial)

About the Author

Sam Harris is a graduate in philosophy from Stanford University.

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William Bennett

A decade on, still a great read.

Reviewed in Canada on November 17, 2015

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One of my favourite quotes is Eleanor Roosevelt’s observation that;

“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”

In this book, the Sam Harris discusses ideas. He does not launch any ad hominem attacks on anyone, and only rarely attempts to voice hindsight opinions of past events. It is certainly true that some of his ideas are very controversial in today’s society. Harris has carefully thought out these ideas, and has not been afraid to challenge popular societal explanations and clichés in his presentation of his arguments. I disagree with just a very few of his points, but even on these issues, I do understand his reason for developing position he takes. The ideas in this book certainly need to be discussed, and Harris has eloquently presented them – perhaps trailing slightly in coherency in the last couple of chapters as compared to the rest of the book, but en masse, in a well written and very readable manner.

When taking stock of the somewhat controversial nature of many of Harris’ ideas, we might consider that less than five-hundred years ago, the only openly atheist people in Europe were a small few locked in Christian dungeons, or writhing in the flames as they were burned to death. Any dissension from the opinions held by the church was grossly unacceptable, and indeed unimaginable. Galileo was being threatened with torture for suggesting that Earth was not at the centre of the universe, and witches were being burned at the stake for flying on broomsticks or causing thunderstorms. These practices were the societal norm, and were considered good ideas at the time. The idea that God might not have done precisely what the church said he did was viewed as an entirely unspeakable suggestion. Any writer of that time courageous enough to challenge the church would be lampooned, excommunicated, shunned, tortured and quite likely executed. Moreover, their writings would be censured.

In the west at least, we have come a long way since those days, although other parts of our world still lag woefully behind. When we read a centuries-old document that carefully suggests that witches, just possibly, don't actually cause disease through spells or curses, our reaction is, "Um, duh! Well obviously!" I tend to think that it is probable, provided that we do not annihilate ourselves over religion first, that Harris’ ideas will cause readers five centuries from now to slap their foreheads as they read them and say the same thing. It will be boring and banal to them; a truism that is news to no one. So read it today, while it’s still controversial!

4 people found this helpful

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Erik Star

Excellent

Reviewed in Canada on July 15, 2014

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Love what he says not just because of what i do and don't Believe, but all of what he writes about makes logical sense. I find that in going to schools one is properly taught to think, and find solutions to problems in a quite systematic way, no matter the name attributed to this way of doing things. So when one says why one believes, or not, or changes one's mind i find that elucidating, and easy to understand. When suddenly all kinds of ideological processes are introduced then they all seem to not share everyone's understanding leaving only the Elite who dictate to the rest. That is not inclusive but cumbersome.

Any of Man's Systems, over time, seem to have gathered much moss, and more and more thought, until a simple understanding of all is not very possible. Why does a particular person, standing on a pulpit have to explain anything to me? Why don't i understand is my first question. AM i capable of understanding within my own self? Do i have that capacity? Then i'm quite lucky. but many don't understand, and don't know that particular religion's life-history, nor their doctrines, etc. This becomes way too complicated, esp. in the Christian mould whereby 2000 years of history involves not just beliefs but poetical interferences and modifications, now allowing mankind's personal ambitions to be injected into some simple thinking.

I believe in kindness, and consideration. Walking the walk of goodness, and not following all kinds of convolutions in complicated thought. Kindness is kindness and splitting the language into multiple interpretations is simply human, but not considerate to the common good.

Thank you Sam Harris for giving us better understanding in this now complicated world.

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Jonathan R Beardall

Sam hits it on the head

Reviewed in Canada on July 19, 2013

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This is a very provoking book, Sam puts everything into a perspective that I can relate too. It's been a little bit since I've finished reading this book, but it has since inspired me to purchase others books by him such as; Free Will and The Moral Landscape.

You can watch some YouTube clips about this book that Sam Harris does as speeches, it'll give you a nice insight into the book if you're on the edge.

The book is a bit long, but it's not very wordy and is quite visual. I suggest this book entirely to anybody who is curious!

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Steve

Brilliant!

Reviewed in Canada on August 2, 2013

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You cannot put this book down. The clear concise manner that Sam Harris engages you in is like a discussion from a professor that opens your eyes to what is really happening in religion today. Not just Christian religion but all attitudes of religion and its effect on humanity. At times you think he has gone to far but you continue and see that there may be other alternatives to his conclusions regarding humanities fate. The course we are on is explosive and we must decide what baggage we are to carry if we are to survive our destructive tendencies. His incite into the current states of all religion make you ask question of yourself. What do I believe? What does my religion say about that? Is religion wrong? What is the truth?
This book may open a closed mind!

One person found this helpful

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Max Layton

Definitely Worth Reading!

Reviewed in Canada on June 20, 2016

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Most of this book is a brilliantly written evisceration of religious faith, especially Islam, and a much needed defenestration of cultural relativism (and the political correctness that goes with it). The author also deserves credit to trying to describe a replacement. Unfortunately, a science of ethics, i,e., a rational atheism, seems equally hard to believe...

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pmpv6t

Brilliant mind and intellectually honest thinker

Reviewed in Canada on September 13, 2017

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Brilliant mind and intellectually honest thinker. Genuine seeker of truth and unafraid to address taboos head-on which others will politely step around. In his efforts to be clear about his reasoning the writing style can sometimes be a little academic and turgid. However this is a book to inform, educate, stimulate and sometimes provoke, rather than to entertain.

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Client Kindle

Excellent

Reviewed in Canada on August 21, 2019

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Harris is a very smart, erudite, and perspicuous author. This book is a concentrated dose of lucidity and realism

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Top reviews from other countries

Rowan Parker

A very thoughtful and important book, which has become ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2016

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A very thoughtful and important book, which has become even more so since it was published, even if a little too much of the book is on (the side topics of non-religious spirituality and consciousness).

It is gratifying in a way that, at last, public opinion is turning away for the mindless political correctness which has made any criticism of religious faith and religion (particularly Islam) inadmissible, and becoming conscious of the threat that Islam poses to Western civilisation, even to its very existence.

Thanks, Sam Harris. May you be more widely heard.

7 people found this helpful

Keith.

Excellent Read.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 5, 2020

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A succinct little book that all non-delusionals should read. I cannot believe the negative 1 star reviews about this piece. Instead, I will quote from the it's back cover, by someone who is a respected atheist and writer himself, Richard Dawkins: "I dare you to read this book....it will not leave you unchanged. Read it if it is the last thing you do."

D. Rice

Not lightweight reading but very captivating

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 14, 2011

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Ill try to keep this short rather than delve into a self-indulgent synopsis. Sam Harris possesses a profound intellect and any case he cares to make is further lubricated and reinforced by easy reach to a collosal vocabulary and a pretty way with words. Whether by accident or design, as a result of this book, he has forged a career, at least in part, specialising in morally lambasting and dismantling organised religion. Check him out on YouTube to see him in action as an entertaining and thought provoking public speaker and debater of considerable prowess.

This book is not easy bedtime reading and goes deep into the threat that organised, or indeed any religion poses to and inhibts our civilisation. It's not likely that you'll pick this book up if you're a head-banging bible or koran thumper, you're already most probably a lost cause but if your on the cusp of questioning your own faith or would enjoy to have your atheism or secularism reinforced with stinging logic then read it. I've given this only four stars simply because in one or two areas, for me at least, he goes a bit too far into the fringes of what makes religion tick in the human psyche but there's some profound stuff in here that badly needed to be said and it's well worth delving into.

7 people found this helpful

Kiam

An important book on an important subject

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 31, 2016

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I read this book after hearing Sam Harris take part in debates on the subject of religion. As was said of the late Christopher Hitchens, people who consider it worthwhile trying to get the better of Sam Harris in a reasoning contest are best to give up! Religion, especially Islam, is the big debate in today's world, and this is an important contribution from one of the foremost debaters on the subject.

3 people found this helpful

Alex Jolliffe

A stern argument, put forward with aplomb

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2015

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Somewhere in a parallel universe, there is a world which is governed according to rational ideals and which is free from the dogma and superstition of religion. On that world, Sam Harris is president. Anyone who has even just a niggling problem with organised religion and its effect on the world should read this book. Anyone who doesn't definitely should. Twice.

6 people found this helpful

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