Book Review: God is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens
I very nearly didn't want to write this review because I purposely try not to discuss religion and politics publicly. The folks that like to lash out when you don't share their opinion can be a tad overwhelming and flat-out fucking annoying. Ah well. Fuck em.
The overall writing by Mr. Hitchens was able to hold my attention. It's a bit snarky, but since I love snarky....it works very well for me. I found myself stopping to re-read passages. Not that I didn't understand his points on the first reading, but because it was another opportunity to understand what I've always felt myself and thought inside my own conversations. I felt as though he gave me permission to have thoughts I'd kept hidden out of fear of judgment from those around me.
This does read as a more academic approach to the subject but it's not forced. It doesn't come across as (haha) holier than thou but you have no doubts about the author's knowledge and reasoning for his continued search for what amounts to a world belief in fairy tales.
Mr. Hitchens' book should be read by anyone on that border between not believing in a god and maybe just getting to the outskirts of the arena. I say arena because it is a game of sport and you are forced to choose a side. There are so many instances of fact-based thinking and ideals in this book, that you feel a need to gift it to those "others" for Christmas. In fact, I am planning to buy this book for those believers. I won't if even one of them would open their mind to the possibility. If they are open, Mr. Hitchens' words will bring them around. Of that, I have no doubt.
My favorite line is in Chapter 19, page 277, 1st paragraph:
In point of fact, we do not have the option of "choosing" absolute truth, or faith.
All in all, this was a pretty good book. It won't be donated so it can stay on my shelf. I wonder who I will leave this to in my will? Hmmmm maybe I'll pray on it. LOL not!
I give it 4 shots out of 5.
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