54 pages • 1 hour read
God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything
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Book Brief
336
Book • Nonfiction
2000s
2007
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens argues that religion is a destructive force, using examples from various faiths to illustrate how it oppresses science, sexuality, and promotes violence. Hitchens critiques both Western and Eastern religions, drawing attention to their negative impacts on human well-being and society. This book contains references to traumatic and violent acts.
Informative
Challenging
Mysterious
Dark
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
117,486 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Hitchens' God Is Not Great is a provocative critique of religion, praised for its sharp wit and thorough research. Critics laud its compelling argument and engaging prose, though some find it overly confrontational and biased. The book is both celebrated for its fearless critique of religious institutions and criticized for its lack of nuance in addressing believers' perspectives.
Who Should Read God Is Not Great?
Readers who appreciate God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens typically enjoy books that challenge religious beliefs and promote secularism and critical thinking. Fans of Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion or Sam Harris' The End of Faith would find this incisive critique of religion equally engaging for its wit and intellectual rigor.
117,486 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Catholic Church
The Catholic Church
A major focus of Hitchens's critique, particularly regarding its history of sexual repression and institutional abuse, as well as its wealth and power throughout history.
Islam
Islam
Discussed by Hitchens as part of the "major monotheisms," with a particular emphasis on fundamentalist and extremist interpretations that he argues are harmful and resist multicultural acceptance.
336
Book • Nonfiction
2000s
2007
Adult
18+ years
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