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The God Delusion Paperback – Bargain Price, Jan. 2 2008

by Richard Dawkins (Author)
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A preeminent scientist -- and the world's most prominent atheist -- asserts the irrationality of belief in God and the grievous harm religion has inflicted on society, from the Crusades to 9/11.

With rigor and wit, Dawkins examines God in all his forms, from the sex-obsessed tyrant of the Old Testament to the more benign (but still illogical) Celestial Watchmaker favored by some Enlightenment thinkers. He eviscerates the major arguments for religion and demonstrates the supreme improbability of a supreme being. He shows how religion fuels war, foments bigotry, and abuses children, buttressing his points with historical and contemporary evidence. The God Delusion makes a compelling case that belief in God is not just wrong but potentially deadly. It also offers exhilarating insight into the advantages of atheism to the individual and society, not the least of which is a clearer, truer appreciation of the universe's wonders than any faith could ever muster.
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  3. Publisher
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  4. Publication date
    Jan. 2 2008
  5. Dimensions
    13.97 x 2.69 x 20.96 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0618918248
  7. ISBN-13
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  1. A theist believes in a supernatural intelligence who, in addition to his main work of creating the universe in the first place, is still around to oversee and influence the subsequent fate of his initial creation.
    Highlighted by 5,327 Kindle readers
  2. Pantheists don't believe in a supernatural God at all, but use the word God as a non-supernatural synonym for Nature, or for the Universe, or for the lawfulness that governs its workings.
    Highlighted by 5,315 Kindle readers
  3. 'When one person suffers from a delusion, it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion it is called Religion.'
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"A powerful argument for how to think about the place of religion in the modern world. It's going to be a classic." -- Seed Magazine

"In the roiling debate between science and religion, it would be hard to exaggerate the enormous influence of Richard Dawkins." Salon

"A particularly comprehensive case against religion. Everyone should read it. Atheists will love Mr. Dawkins's incisive logic and rapier wit, and theists will find few better tests of the robustness of their faith." --Economist

"If I had to identify Dawkins's cardinal virtues, I would say that he is brilliant, articulate, impassioned, and impolite . . .The God Delusion is a fine and significant book." The San Francisco Chronicle

About the Author

Richard Dawkins taught zoology at the University of California at Berkeley and at Oxford University and is now the Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford, a position he has held since 1995. Among his previous books are The Ancestor's Tale, The Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker, Climbing Mount Improbable, Unweaving the Rainbow, and A Devil's Chaplain. Dawkins lives in Oxford with his wife, the actress and artist Lalla Ward.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; First Thus edition (Jan. 2 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0618918248
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0618918249
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 476 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.97 x 2.69 x 20.96 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 11,796 ratings

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Richard Dawkins

Richard Dawkins

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Richard Dawkins taught zoology at the University of California at Berkeley and at Oxford University and is now the Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford, a position he has held since 1995. Among his previous books are The Ancestor's Tale, The Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker, Climbing Mount Improbable, Unweaving the Rainbow, and A Devil's Chaplain. Dawkins lives in Oxford with his wife, the actress and artist Lalla Ward.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
11,796 global ratings

Top reviews from Canada

Nan Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in Canada on February 23, 2024
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This book is written with such a soft, intellectual and mature manor. I would say this is a life changer and highly recommend everyone read it.
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A. Hughes
5.0 out of 5 stars Not for the average bible thumper
Reviewed in Canada on September 14, 2023
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Dawkins presents scientific evidence of evolution while dismantling the creationist theories and biblical prophecies. As an atheist, I found it quite satisfying to read as it validates my own feelings about the existence of God. If you are at all religious, you may not like this book. Or you may find it has the answers to questions which religion cannot ansawer without the belief in blind faith. 2 thumbs up and 5 stars from me.
3 people found this helpful
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Jigme Datse
4.0 out of 5 stars Well written, good information, but way too long.
Reviewed in Canada on August 1, 2015
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I just finished this not all that long ago. This was mostly a good view of what is "wrong with religion". He *mostly* focuses on theism, specifically Christianity. But he looks also at other religions. There is *very* little about religions which are not "Abrahamic" (Ie. those which are based on the teachings of Abraham, most notably Judaism, Christianity, and Islam).

His writing is really quite readable, but this is rather long. In fact I would say that 90% of the sense of what he wrote, was contained in a single paragraph, one which he quoted from Douglas Adams.

I know, you really cannot sell a "book" which consists of a single paragraph. But do we really *need* this verbosity in what we are trying to understand.

Sure, there are cases where people have made an effort to write the "Essence" of some other much longer work, but a lot of these are in a way are doing pretty much what Richard Dawkins did with this one paragraph (not that he started there I don't really know) in that they really *miss* the pith of what is there, but simply look at the facts.
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Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars great
Reviewed in Canada on August 12, 2024
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great
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Peter Heise
5.0 out of 5 stars What Now! Where do we go from here.
Reviewed in Canada on February 3, 2013
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I have read (The God Delusion) from cover to cover with great interest because the subject is close to my heart. CONGRATULATIONS!

Dr.R.Dawkins explanation of our narrow window of our burka world is very apropos, the ‘New Ten Commandments’ are refreshing, and the many quotes from Bertrand Russell etc are very revealing. I was hoping to find in his book the following quotes from Nietzsche’s “Beyond Good and Evil” written in 1886. Permit me: From 52: “To have bound up this New Testament (…) along with the Old Testament into one book, as the “Bible”, as the “Book in Itself”, is perhaps the greatest audacity and “sin against the Spirit” which literary Europe has upon its conscience.” From 57: “Perhaps the most solemn conceptions that have caused the most fighting and suffering, the conception of “God” and “sin”, will one day seem to us of no more importance than a child’s plaything…”.
The question “WHAT NOW!” repeated itself many times before finishing the book to the point where I had to write to Dr. Dawkins.
While investigating the book an inevitable conclusion arose leaving me with fact that civilization is at a critical Chaos-window, a critical point of bifurcation. This diagnosis becomes more and more urgent. We are living in a period of transformation which is struggling to be born. The Christian God-head and other religions are incomplete! We are in a world where knowledge and technology proliferates but wisdom languishes. The development of consciousness is the burden, suffering and blessing of humankind. We (all sides) are slowly going to be cooked in this alchemical retort (namely society) until we transcend our current state and differences and only then will the heat subside. The longer solutions are delayed the greater will be the heat! Understood psychologically, we either attract one another wisely in good spirit or confront one another in enmity.

There is tremendous room for a sequel which could be a 'tour de force' given Dr. Dawkins popularity and abilities. It could help millions throughout the world in raising our consciousness and in shifting the moral Zeitgeist. This shift may be slow but it is time to raise the curtain on our next act and with it our collective awareness.
We can evolve to a Breakthrough! Future generations may well look back at this time and regard it as a defining moment when man became more human.
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Stevie Ray
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read for anyone that thinks religion is harmless or worthwhile
Reviewed in Canada on December 13, 2013
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I have read Dawkins book 'The God Delusion' twice over the years. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone that thinks there is no harm in religious belief or for anyone that thinks religion deserves or has earned respect. Richard tells it like it is and only those that are seriously deluded by religious belief take issue with it. To round out your opinion of Dawkins if you are a not familiar with his writing I strongly suggest you read the newest anniversary edition of the Selfish Gene as well. It sometimes gets forgotten that Richard is first and foremost a great scientist.
What always 'kills' me about many of the critics of Dawkins and other atheist writers is they often say these writers just don't understand their religion and the facts (myths actually) that are their foundation. Their position is always one that asserts their religions are based on facts that have been proven and the writers must disprove each little claim to fact. They rarely seem to think the onus is actually on them to prove their myth based beliefs are on solid footing.
Considering the debate is over superstitious silliness I think Dawkins et al do a good job of being respectful of the subject matter no matter what the critics of them say.
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RL
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting and well written.
Reviewed in Canada on November 10, 2023
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This book is a real eye-opener and a must read for those who question their religious beliefs.
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Francois M. Gagnon
4.0 out of 5 stars The God Delusion
Reviewed in Canada on February 14, 2015
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"J'adore" n'est probablement pas le bon mot, vu le sujet du livre. Oups! Th God Delusion is an excellent book to convince any intelligent reader that there is good arguments to negate God existence, to suspect holy books (Bible included) of having nothing to do with Revelation, and to establish other sources of morality than Scripture. His description of God as a jealous, nosy, and full of himself fantaisie is particularly well established. I enjoy the book, even if from time to time I had some difficulty to follow the argument, for instance when the author speak of the African Eve. His explanation of genealogy was difficult for me (who is not a mathematician) to follow.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Robert
5.0 out of 5 stars The real truth
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 16, 2024
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I haven’t put this book down since I started reading it a week ago. It makes so much sense I put it as the most logical book ever written. Brilliant read
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5.0 out of 5 stars Provocative, Enlightening, Contentious!!!
Reviewed in India on August 31, 2023
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"The God Delusion" resurfaces like a philosophical comet, leaving a trail of fiery discussions and sparking fresh constellations of thought in its wake. Richard Dawkins' magnum opus continues to electrify minds, and this edition, adorned with new insights, feels like an awakening of intellectual exploration.

Dawkins' prose is a symphony of eloquence and persuasion, orchestrating an ardent critique of religious dogma with a precision that is both awe-inspiring and disruptive. Like a master sculptor, he carves through the marble of faith, revealing the contours of reason that lay hidden beneath. The verve of his writing isn't just for show; it is the rallying cry of rationality that ignites minds and challenges them to dare question centuries-old beliefs.

In this iteration, the book boasts an updated prelude and a concluding reflection by the author. These additions serve as a bridge between past and present, giving readers a compass to navigate the evolution of debates this book has instigated. Dawkins acknowledges the counterarguments his work has faced while steadfastly reaffirming his position—a gesture that is intellectually honest and encouraging of robust discourse.

Dawkins' analogies are the torchlights guiding us through the labyrinth of theology. He compares belief without evidence to a spectrum of possibilities, from leprechauns to Zeus, forcing us to confront the arbitrary nature of our convictions. His poignant parables highlight the delusionary nature of faith and invite readers to break free from the chains of inherited beliefs.

However, even in its brilliance, the book can be an acquired taste. Dawkins' unwavering conviction can occasionally feel like an unyielding wave crashing against differing shores, potentially alienating those who stand in the intersection of faith and skepticism. The book's focus on fundamentalist aspects of religion, while driving its point home, might not fully encapsulate the entirety of religious experience and expression.

"The God Delusion" is a phoenix, reborn from the flames of debate, its feathers now glistening with a decade's worth of insights. Dawkins' words aren't merely text on paper; they are the spark that lights the tinder of contemplation. This edition compels readers to reckon with their beliefs and explore the borders of human knowledge and understanding.

In closing, the Edition remains a beacon of intellectual audacity, beckoning readers to dance on the edge of enlightenment. Dawkins' magisterial work remains an essential read for the curious, the daring, and the truth-seekers among us. If you're prepared to embark on a voyage that challenges your convictions, this book will be your compass to navigate the uncharted waters of belief and reason.
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rlepsch
5.0 out of 5 stars A decisive step into building my scientific mind
Reviewed in Brazil on April 15, 2020
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This book is definitely a milestone in my life and it has been a great help on becoming a real humanist.
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Francisco Gerling
5.0 out of 5 stars Una lectura obligada
Reviewed in Mexico on May 25, 2019
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Este es sin duda mi libro favorito del autor y dentro de los favoritos de mi biblioteca. Creo que todo mundo debería leerlo pues menciona con amplia claridad el peligro que representan muchas de las populares religiones del mundo y como la fe limita y/o destruye el espíritu de maravillarse por la realidad que nos rodea y la búsqueda de respuestas a las grandes interrogantes del ser humano. Además, explica como la mayoría de las religiones son abusivas, especialmente con la población infantil al utilizar la vulnerabilidad de creer que tiene esta población y que el adoctrinamiento debería estar prohibido, así como lo está la explotación infantil, la pederastia, entre otros. Otro punto interesante en el libro, es lo que se menciona sobre la creencia "light" que tiene mucha gente y que piensan que eso no es dañino como lo es el fanatismo, pero realmente conlleva a acciones no apropiadas para el mejoramiento humano.
Sin duda, la mejor lectura que uno puede hacer. Es realmente esclarecedora.
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Marcel Zahm
5.0 out of 5 stars Ein Wutausbruch
Reviewed in Germany on March 24, 2018
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Dawkins hat ja eigentlich mal ganz anders angefangen. Er hat kleine, feine Beobachtungen gemacht und Stückchen für Stückchen Gedanken entwickelt.

Verkürzt und vergröbert sowas wie: Warum trägt der Pfau ein Pfauenkleid, es ist doch sicher ein Alptraum, wenn man seinen Fressfeinden entkommen will? Nun ist die eine Erklärung, dass Gott das so gefügt hat und die andere, dass Pfauenweibchen hübsche Männer bevorzugen, weil hübsch Leistungsfähigkeit (und zwar vererbbare Leistungsfähigkeit) signalisiert. Wie der Pfau nun zeigt, kann sowas schiefgehen und die Pfauendamen fallen systematisch auf die falschen Männer rein. Sehen hübsch aus, können aber nix. Je hübscher desto nutzloser. Letztlich ist das dann "nur so eine Theorie", aber: Das kann man dann sogar ausrechnen, man kann Vorhersagen treffen, die man dann sogar bei bis dato unerforschten Spezies bestätigt findet usw. usw. Vorgefundene Zahlenverhältnisse in der Natur ergeben vor dem Hintergrund so einer Theorie einen Sinn.

Und es ist ja nicht nur der Pfau, es funktioniert hier, es funktioniert da. Es entstehen Strukturen, eins stützt das andere.

Und es ist auf den Menschen und die Gesellschaft anwendbar. Warum kümmern sich Menschen mehr um Kinder als um Geschwister zB? Auch hier entwickelt und denkt Dawkins, auch dieser ganze Sektor passt bruchlos in das Gesamtgebäude.

Dann entwickelt sich parallel die Genetik. Ganz neuer Wissenszweig, vorab eine große Wundertüte mit Inhalt, den noch keiner kennt. Aber siehe da, ein großer Sack voll mit Argumenten für Dawkins. Man stelle sich vor, seit Langem ist im Streit ob Affen und Menschen eng verwandt sind oder der Mensch ein riesiger Sonderfall ist. Dann findet man tatsächlich Baupläne und siehe da, der Mensch ist im Prinzip nichts anderes als ein Schimpanse mit ein wenig variierter Ausstattung. Der Mensch ist sogar enger mit der Maus verwandt als die Katze mit der Maus.

Was Dawkins die ganzen Jahrzehnte parallel aber noch macht: er popularisiert das Wissen. Schreibt es also für den Normalbürger auf. Verständlich, wenn man verstehen will. Und das macht ihn zur Zielscheibe.

Natürlich gefällt es einem nicht, wenn man behauptet, der Pfau sei ein schönes Beispiel für Gottes Perfektion und dann bekommt man zu hören, der Pfau sei in gewisser Weise eher ein Beispiel für eine Fehlkonstruktion. Wohlgemerkt, eine Fehlkonstruktion, wenn man von "Perfektion" oder einem "Schöpfungsplan" im langfristigen Sinne ausgeht. Da kann man schlauere Pläne entwerfen. Keine Fehlkonstruktion, wenn man davon ausgeht, was einem in der ganz konkreten Situation beim Überleben hilft. Dann ist albernes Aussehen genauso Waffe wie scharfe Zähne.

Natürlich mag man es nicht, wenn man menschliches Verhalten in Kategorien eingeteilt hat, von denen Gott manche mag und manche nicht, wenn man dann hört, dass da eine Rechnung aufgemacht wird, die aufgeht, in Gott aber nicht vorkommt, weil er nirgends zur Erklärung benötigt wird.

Und dann gefällt es natürlich absolut nicht, wenn DNA entdeckt wird und die Argumente, die man bekämpft hat, auf ganzer Linie nochmal bestätigt.

Da gibt es natürlich die Mehrheit, die den öffentlichen Aufschrei mancher Normalbürger ignoriert und mithilfe von Biotechnik Dinge erschafft (Medikamente, Nahrungsmittel, und ja, auch Gen-Kartoffeln und Waffen). Der Popularisierer Dawkins kann das natürlich nicht, er wird ständig konfrontiert.

Und das merkt man seinen Werken an. Zu Beginn stehen noch hier und da leise Hinweise, dass diese oder jene hergebrachte Meinung wohl nicht haltbar sein dürfte, später nimmt die Verteidigung immer breiteren Raum ein und wird zunehmends aggressiver.

Mit der Zeit wurde Dawkins vom Wissensvermittler zum professionellen Duellanten. Und er hat ja ganz ordentlich Geld und Ruhm damit eingeheimst, vermutlich viel viel mehr, als sich je mit der Beobachtung von Einsiedlerkrebsen verdienen ließe.

Dieses Buch ist dann, wie gesagt, ein Wutausbruch am Ende dieser Geschichte. Polemisch, aggressiv, zuspitzend, absichtlich verletzend, persönlich werdend, einhämmernd, beharrend, eben die ganze Palette, die man mitten in einem Wutausbruch so produziert.

Ich kann eigentlich viel mehr empfehlen, mal mit "The Selfish Gene" anzufangen und sich dann gedanklich am ganzen Gebäude, bei den Fundamenten angefangen, abzuarbeiten. Was man so als Ergebnis für sich selbst findet, ist jedem selbst überlassen.

Die eigene Werteordnung und die daraus abzuleitenden Handlungsempfehlungen sind ja jedem selbst überlassen. Wenn das Kind krank ist, muss man wissen, ob man auf den Priester oder den Arzt hört. Bzw. auf welche Art Priester oder Arzt. Und jegliche andere noch so kleine oder große Entscheidung im Leben. Ich persönlich habe im Laufe der Zeit ein tiefes Misstrauen für simple Argumente, anwendbar auf jede Situation, entwickelt.
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