The Quotable Atheist: Ammunition for Non-Believers, Political Junkies, Gadflies, and Those Generally Hell-Bound Reviews

• An Easy Approach To Atheistic Arguments

  
  By A1QV7M0TZ94IUP on 2007-06-24
  This book was fun to read and full of interesting insights. I've already read it twice and even underlined favorite quotes. The quotations collected in this book are in fact short arguments in favor of the atheistic perspective, so reading them is an easy way to absorb a great number of pertinent points. I would highly recommend this as companion reading for anyone who has read and appreciated The God Delusion, Letter To A Christian Nation, or God Is Not Great. It fills in many of the cracks by providing more historical background and a wider range of arguments for atheism and freethought.
  
  

• A great and funny resource for freethinkers - hey!

  
  By A3LG3IR32GCBCZ on 2007-05-08
  This Jack Huberman is spot-on funny and right-on about the dangers our nation faces in the onslaught of the bullying idiocy of followers of the christian right currently running amock in our streets, on our airwaves, and in our minds ( if we let them ). There are TONS of great free-thinking skeptic types listed and quoted in this great little book, all of whom are given witty introductions by the author/editor guy Jack.
  
  

• Entertaining collection of quotes

  
  By AFOZBQHDY6NWE on 2006-12-15
  This is an enjoyable and entertaining collection of quotes that are presented in a light-hearted manner (although some of the quotes themselves are no so light-hearted). It's an ecletic mix with some laugh-aloud quotes nestling alongside more sombre comments.
  It's certainly a useful book to have around to solve arguments as to the religious nature of some of historical figures.
  
  

• Thought Provoking

  
  By A3U7AHJL9B6RYF on 2007-04-08
  Put into print what I've been thinking for the past 55+ years. Religion has never made sense to me. Apparently I'm not alone.
  
  

• Useful

  
  By AN5VC1BQM1N3P on 2007-10-14
  With more and more atheists coming out of the closet, books of this nature are nice for the newly emerged to have on hand. There's a lot of intriguing material in these pages, but the major flaw is Huberman's failure to document the quoted material. Anyone wishing to use one of these items had better go through the difficult task of authenticating it before doing so.
  
  
• Godless fun
  By A2YNYEW8SUB5B3 on 2007-05-24
  I really enjoyed this book. My friends and family started getting annoyed with me, because every five minutes I would read them another quote. However there is not much context to the quotes. Also a great deal of the quotes have more to do with the problems of Christianity as a religion as opposed to the belief in God. This book is meant to be fun, not the ultimate argument on why God does not exist, and in that it succeeds (at least for a hardcore fellow atheist). The strongest characteristic of the book may be the guidance and foundation it establishes for its readers to find other strong freethinkers to read. I know my reading list just grew 10 fold.
  
  
• Nice bathroom reading.
  By A26459RMZLWTYA on 2007-08-14
  I've enjoyed reading it in the bathroom. Lots of very interesting quotes, but quality is not uniform. The author likes to make wisecracks about those he is quoting -- when these work, they can be funny, but often they are slightly annoying. It's a pleasure to see what some famous people have said in this area.
  
  If you find some "atheism" books dull because they repeat the same old arguments, you'll probably find some new and provocative gems here. Glad I got this in addition to the "classics".
  
  
• such a fun book to inspire you
  By A3AD56G64F653P on 2007-10-28
  I am giving this book five stars for two reasons. First of all, it is fun, entertaining, educational, and inspiring. It is truly reassuring to know that so many people, far smarter than myself, feel the same way I do about religious ignorance and hypocrisy. Secondly, I feel the need to balance out the one star review given by the ignorant fanatic who probably never read the book. I figure a war of words on amazon.com is a whole lot nicer than another Inquisition.
  
  
• A bit of light hearted fun
  By A32W7XVV2AS44M on 2007-08-23
  I enjoyed flicking through this book, although overall I found it to be more of a light hearted collection than a serious reference work. Not that that is a bad thing (and I don't think the author set out to create a serious reference work), and there is some thought provoking material in there.
  
  
• Reason and Science Trump Blind Belief at Every Turn
  By A30PZIF8X9REOG on 2007-08-26
  It is not hard to rate this book highly because one is really rating some of the pithy comments made by many great minds down the ages. Especially in this age of unreason that seems to have hit the world and the USA in particular, such hard-hitting truths are needed. But most of all, I like this book because when I first picked it up it made me chuckle and I kept doing that through many quotes. Enjoyable.
  
  
• As the critic said --
  By A3149EMBUTUYAA on 2007-06-26
  A new York critic, once following the use of the phone book, looked up at a friend and said, "Names, Names, Names, but the plot is weak!"
  
  Here are quotes and ideas from leading humanists, athiests and non believers in their short forms, catergorized, but like any such compilation, out of context. These are pithy and reveal some great thoughts of well known thinkers...and men of power.
  
  If you are like me, you often feel you have lost a point in an argument only to wake up at 3 a.m.and think of looking up a retort well after the conversation is ended get this. If that works for you as it does for me -- this is a great book to look up the perfect words and quotes, call up your adversary, and read them the entry -- at 3:15 a.m.
  
  
• Not bad
  By A3CV783IOPPVDL on 2007-03-13
  Some quality quotes, some filler that doesn't belong. Helpful as a means to finding authors and quality reading on the topic.
  
  
• The perfect antidote to a modern culture with endemic quotations of scripture
  By A14OJS0VWMOSWO on 2007-06-09
  Passionate atheist and fluently opinionated blogger Jack Huberman presents The Quotable Atheist: Ammunition for Nonbelievers, Political Junkies, Gadflies, and Those Generally Hell-Bound, an anthology of quips, quotes, and searing insights from philosophers, scientists, poets, writers, artists, entertainers, and political figures throughout history - all challenging the widespread impulse to believe without proof, and all chosen to hearten and intellectually stimulate fellow atheists. The quotes are grouped together by author, organized alphabetically by author's last name for quick reference, and each author's name is followed by a brief biography of a few sentences. Good for a quick browse or extended study, The Quotable Atheist is enthusiastically recommended as the perfect antidote to a modern culture with endemic quotations of scripture. "I believe that virtuous behavior is trivialized by carrot-and-stick schemes, such as promises of highly improbable rewards or punishments in an improbable afterlife." -Kurt Vonnegut
  
  
• 3 Cheers for Huberman! But....
  By A3OUPW45881S7P on 2007-08-04
  A wonder ful book, full of meaningful and useful quotes. But here's hoping that a new edition will come out, this one including a topic index. I tell you, sometimes you're just looking for that perfect response that's on the tip of your tongue, and you need it NOW!
  
  Plese, Mr. Huberman, a topic index!
  
  
• 2 major problems
  By A1IQFDAB4CEQ5J on 2007-11-12
  i have found only 2 major problems with this book. first and formost it very hard to read when you are laughing so hard tears are streaming down your face. and second is you start thinking so hard your afraid your head may explode. this book is a fantastic source of ammo for those of us who just want the "religious right" to leave us alone. so far my fav quote is "makeing fun of born again christians is like hunting dairy cattle with a high powered rifle and scope" and you will just have to read the book to find out who said that little gem
  
  
• Flawed but fun
  By A25KH15JDDXB8G on 2008-04-18
  All quotes collections are fun, and this one is no exception. The selection of quotes is pretty good, ranging mostly to things you haven't already heard a million times.
  
  The one downside is that author Huberman insists on inserting his own snide and useless comments right inside the quotes. Although his text is fairly easy to distinguish, this practice is both confusing and annoying. Especially as the insertions gradually (and perhaps inevitably) paint a rather unflattering picture of their author. This would be a better book if Huberman had stuck to scholarly background annotations... or maybe saved the space and simply added more actual quotes.
  
  Nonetheless, the quotes themselves do hold up well. A worthwhile book to read or browse.
  
  
• Buy This!!!
  By AID4WQX6S2B99 on 2007-08-05
  This is an outstanding collection of quotes that will surely delight the atheist in your life! In fact, send it to all the believers and make them squirm a little... ;)
  
  
• "The point of quotations is that....
  By A3IDFHUI53L11Y on 2007-12-02
  "...one can use another's words to be insulting" (Amanda Cross). Okay, perhaps that's not the *whole* point of this book, but there is certainly a lot of acerbic wit in this much needed compilation from Jack Huberman. Much of the wit comes from Huberman himself. Make no mistake, he doesn't intend to play nice. In the intro, he establishes that he seeks to "heal" our planet "through argument, persuasion, and...the steady application of powerfully abrasive ridicule...". Being a book of quotes, it won't provide a cohesive and linear overview of atheist thought, but it does deliver what it promises....."ammunition for nonbelievers, etc". It's especially good for on-line debates and quick one-liners. As such, it's not intended as a serious piece of philosophical scholarship. It's pretty light-hearted and humorous actually.
  The main problem with this book is that there is no key word index. The book is organized alphabetically by author, but I can't always remember who said what. Also, the book is actually 336 pages long. Considerably longer than the 288 pages claimed in amazon's "product details" section.
  Despite the lack of an index, the book works because the quotes are generally well-chosen, a wide variety of authors/speakers are represented, and it enlightens and well as entertains. Five stars because he did a good job on a sorely needed book.
  
  One of my favorite quotes: "A celibate clergy is an especially good idea, because it tends to suppress any hereditary propensity toward fanaticism."
  Carl Sagan
  
  
  
• Let's All Take the Subway
  By A2ZHZ8ZTHJKOS0 on 2007-12-05
  Sprightly collection of abjurations on the vexed topic of the godly in all its various shapes, sizes and impersonations. Quotes are mainly from atheists, both scholarly and wiseguy, but also include notable sayings from fence-sitting agnostics and even the aggressively pious, probably for contrast. The result is a pretty broad spectrum of source material.
  
  The quotes are brief, so don't expect much in the way of ammunition to disabuse the Bible-belters or the Koran-thumpers. The book works best as a reference to those contemporary heretics you may not have heard of, but who have something witty, entertaining, or profound to say on the subject of pie in the sky. These include relative unknowns, like Mark Morford, Ben Mack, and Wil Forbis. There are also the classic debunkers, such as Lucretius, Twain and Ingersoll. But likely the most revealing are the celebrity heretics, outed here perhaps for the first time. For example, there's an unsurprising quote from Hugh Hefner who, of course, has no need for the nether-regions, having already located paradise on earth. Or a quote from the guilt-ridden Alfred Hitchcock on what every boy should know, or Earnest Hemingway on the "thinking man". Then again, there's the other end of the spectrum. For example, Pope Paul IV on unbelief, "If my father were a heretic, I would personally gather the wood to burn him."-- What church was that again?
  
  It's one of those books a reader can put down and pick up without losing a beat. Sure, some of the inclusions are questionable. With hundreds of entries, that's not surprising. And author Huberman's efforts at witty asides don't always work. Still, it's a lively and informative tour of independent thought down through the ages. Sort of a Baedecker's for those of us slated for the inferno express come clock-out time.
  
  
• A very entertaining read!!
  By A2CHJHM6AUQT25 on 2007-06-29
  This book offers quotes both old and new & does it in a highly entertaining manner. Some quotes are of a more serious nature while some are laugh-out-loud funny. If you're looking for a witty quote to throw out the next time you debate a religious person,this book is a treasure trove.
  
  
• Coffe Table or Magazine Rack in the bath room
  By A28TYN7R2XMBGR on 2007-11-06
  The Quotable Atheist: Ammunition for Non-Believers, Political Junkies, Gadflies, and Those Generally Hell-Bound
  There are two rules that I use to rate a paperback.
  A. Will it fit in my back pocket, Yes.
  2. If I sit down on the toilet with this book will the interval between breaks cause my legs to go to sleep, No.
  So that pretty well gives it two thumbs up for me. But the content is also very entertaining.
  My two favorite quotes are:
  Napolean Bonaparte said: Religion is what keeps the poor from killing the rich.
  and:
  Unknown: Philosophy is the question that may never be answered, and religion is the answer that may never be questioned.
  If you haven't bought it by this time, what in God's name, or should I say what in the hell are you waiting for!
  
  
• ummmmm...............
  By A1C9KH7RGHJLRJ on 2007-09-05
  The Quotable Atheist: a collection of pithy sayings disconnected from their original context, haphazardly quoted in order to combat a group's ideological stance....boy, the Quotable Atheist has sure stuck it to Christian fundamentalism here!
  
  
• Whimsical, educational, comprehensive
  By A24K1XOFAKIL7B on 2008-01-18
  This is an delightful book of quotes on religion, god(s) and atheism by everyone from St. Augustine to Frank Zappa. It's a great carry-around book- it's always amusing, and immensely quotable. The author/compiler adds great touches of humor and occasional commentary, making it an even more fun read. Many famous people are "outed" as having atheistic beliefs (at least I didn't know that about them: Charles Schultz, Frank Sinatra, A.A. Milne). A great point in favor of the book is that many devout theists are quoted, damning themselves (as it were) in their own words (Jerry Falwell: "If you're not a born-again Christian, you're a failure as a human being"; Jimmy Swaggart on gay marriage: "If one ever looks at me like that, I'm gonna kill him and tell God he died"). Definite brain-candy for the reasoning person.
  
  
• Amusing anecdotes
  By A3UV38ZCFCNI3W on 2008-02-26
  This wasnt as funny as I had hoped but tehre is some humor in it. But the main goal of course is to offer non religious inspiration and short curt arguments for Atheistic inclined people to use when acosted by "others". It contains quotes from people like our founding fathers (who were NOT all christians despite the rumor they were) and Abe Licoln, to modern humorists and authors and scientists. It spans a great deal of time as well, not just ocusing on the modern age. Greek philosophers, early heretics and modern blaspemers are all taken into account. I dont know if I would sugges tthis to some one or not unelss they were already inclined to such things as it is just a book of This guy said this, this girl said this etc. but it is an interesting read. Id say spend your cash on some Carl Sagan or something before you buy this, just to stay on the more brain expanding side of the page.
  
  
• The Quotable Atheist: Ammunition for Non-Believers, Political Junkies, Gadflies, and Those Generally Hell-Bound
  By A23WPT47NG036B on 2007-03-11
  The Quotable Atheist: Ammunition for Non-Believers, Political Junkies, Gadflies, and Those Generally Hell-Bound.
  
  NOTE: I AM NO LONGER RESIDING IN CALIFORNIA
  
  
• In Good Company...
  By AV46HZZQK3L5B on 2008-01-22
  It's a book of quotes from various famous people expressing their views toward religion/god>>>which I perceive as form of dictatorial government. It is a book you pick up and read anytime at any page for a "pick-me-up" chuckle. Athesists are in good company.
  
  
• OH MY GODLESS
  By A399VR7YWUTGBW on 2008-02-19
  Who knew debunking religous fairy tales could be so fun ?
  I strongly recommend this for those who find religion interesting and want it to give you more smiles and smirks. I have faith that you'll love it.
  
  
  
• Entertaining
  By A19C0PEK8ZPUC0 on 2008-04-05
  This is a fun book, providing ammunition to inflict on your more religious cohorts, should the need arise. It would make a great gift if you know your victim well enough.
  
  
• reminds me some people are sane
  By AOHBBKFRDF7UU on 2008-06-13
  about 50% quotes, 50% biography/perspective, 5% tongue in cheek comments. In an age where so many intuit god, angels, devils, grace, sin it's nice to remember how many people have been declaring bunk for a long time. Only reason I put it down is to save some for later. Cheers.
  
  
• The Quotable Atheist
  By A2SKTG9N3YUDD8 on 2008-06-13
  Ammunition for Nonbelievers is a great discription for this collection of short quotes and quips. If you've ever been tired of or have gotten a bit "out of sorts" with bible thumpers, door knockers, phone ringers, and pseuedo soul savers, who have that "in your face" attitude, here's your book of "comebacks". Be forewarned that you are sure to be labeled as a hell-bound sacrilege by any religious institution with whom you elect to "unload" any quantity of the quality contained within these pages. If you've ever simply wanted to "stir the pot" then this makes an excellent ladle to accomplish your endeavors:-)
  Thank You, Don Ward
  
  

• The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Nonbeliever
• God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything
• Atheist Universe: The Thinking Person's Answer to Christian Fundamentalism
• The God Delusion
• Everything You Know About God Is Wrong: The Disinformation Guide to Religion