The Best Damn Atheist Book on the Market Today, Bar None, Hands Down, Without Question!

[Written By John W.Loftus] I just finished reading cultural anthropologist Dr. David Eller's magnificient book Atheism Advanced. Let me say that as far as offering us significant new insights into what atheism is all about, Eller's book is the best damn book out there, bar none, hands down, without question.

If you value my advice at all you need to read this book. It is absolutely brilliant! While I'm not yet convinced of everything he argues for, the book has challenged my own thinking on the issues he writes about. If you want an intellectual feast, get this book. Every atheist should read it. If you are a Christian apologist you need to deal with his book. No Christian apologist in the future worthy of being called an apologist should be without Eller's book and be able to articulate some kind of lame response to it (because that's the only response apologists will be able to give it).

Eller does not deal with many issues that other atheist books cover (like philosophical arguments against the existence of God, the problem of evil, and so forth), so you'll still want other atheist books as well. It's just that his book is on my limited essential list of atheist books to have in your library.

This is the highest praise I have ever written about any book, and it's probably because after having read so many atheist books I thought I had read up on most of the issues, but I was wrong. I learned a great deal from Eller's book even after having read so many other works of this nature that it took me completely by surprise.

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You can read an earlier post describing what I thought of the first six chapters right here, where you can also watch an interview with him. I also wrote on one his arguments right here.

You can order the book here on amazon.

13 comments:

Eternal Critic said...

While I don't doubt your sincerity, I heard almost the same exact spiel on fundie boards over Ray Comfort's latest screed, and that one is garbage.

Anthony said...

Okay John, you convinced me, I just placed my order.

Anonymous said...

Eternal Critic, I said "If you value my advice at all you need to read this book." If you don't, then don't.

But to lump Dr. Eller's book in with Ray Comfort's book absolutely disgusts me to no end. I'm almost tempted to say don't come back here until you read Eller's book for yourself, but I won't.

Jeff said...

What exactly separates it from other literature? What issues does he discuss that other books on the market do not.

Anonymous said...

Tigerhunter, click on the links, okay? I don't have the time to write about his arguments anymore than I have already done, or to answer many additional questions about it. Although, his book has profoundly influenced me such that you'll see me using his arguments in many future posts here at DC, so stay tuned.

Eternal Critic said...

My Apologies John. I did not mean to offend you. I was simply remarking upon similarities of the two different demographics on advertising their various proponents. Please understand, I make no judgements on books I've yet to read. As I said, I don't doubt your sincerity, and in fact much respect what you do here.

Once again, my sincere apology at any offense.

Anonymous said...

Eternal Critic, apology accepted. You should always consider the source of any recommendation. For instance, what were the credentials of the people claiming Comfort's book was "all that"? You know my credentials.

Angelo said...

I just finished reading a hilarious book called "Defending My God-given Right to NOT be a Christian" by Jimmy D. Kuratz. I proves that Christian theology is only very loosely based on the Bible and that the Bible is a fraud! I am pretty sure that you can buy the book off his website: www.religiousbaggage.com
I hope everyone loves the book as much as I did. Tom

Aspergers.life said...

How does one contact John W. Loftus? I see no contact link on your blog?

Onotheo said...

Why thank you for this post. I was looking for a book just like this but wasn't able to find. This will be next on my list but I am reading several books right now including 'Why Evolution is True'.

Anonymous said...

To contact me just click on my name and send me an email.

Chico said...

I ordered this book. I hope it lives up to the hype.

Unknown said...

I have just finished reading this book myself and I want to second John's recommendation. I've you've already well read in the "basics" of modern atheist literature (God Delusion, The End of Faith, etc.) this book is the next step. Eller goes beyond the traditional approach of defending atheism by debating the classic proofs for and against God's existence. Eller really made me think of atheism in a whole new light, see things in a way I've never seen them.

Don't get me wrong, I respect guys like Dawkins, Hitchens, and Harris. I just happen to think Eller is on another level than they are.

I am aware this may sound like mindless propaganda, but believe me, I am a very demanding reader. I think it is a great accomplishment that Eller has been able to win me over.