The God Delusion

By: Richard Dawkins

Narrated by: Richard Dawkins, Lalla Ward

Length: 13 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Discover magazine recently called Richard Dawkins "Darwin's Rottweiler" for his fierce and effective defense of evolution. Prospect magazine voted him among the top three public intellectuals in the world (along with Umberto Eco and Noam Chomsky). Now Dawkins turns his considerable intellect on religion, denouncing its faulty logic and the suffering it causes.

He critiques 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. In so doing, he makes a compelling case that belief in God is not just irrational, but potentially deadly.

Dawkins has fashioned an impassioned, rigorous rebuttal to religion, to be embraced by anyone who sputters at the inconsistencies and cruelties that riddle the Bible, bristles at the inanity of "intelligent design", or agonizes over fundamentalism in the Middle East or Middle America.

©2006 Richard Dawkins (P)2006 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Richard Dawkins is the leading soothsayer of our time....The God Delusion continues his thought-provoking tradition." (J. Craig Venter, decoder of the human genome)
"The God Delusion is smart, compassionate, and true....If this book doesn't change the world, we're all screwed." (Penn & Teller)
"The world needs...passionate rationalists....Richard Dawkins so stands out through the cutting intelligence of The God Delusion." (James D. Watson, co-discoverer of DNA, author of The Double Helix)

Great Read

Really great, informative book. I loved the style and flow. I will say that the way the woman's voice seems to randomly break in on sentences is kind of distracting, but not horribly so. Definitely recommend. I could listen to Dawkins talk for hours.

Concise and well thought out!

Very informative, well written, and well read. Thank you Richard Dawkins for another brilliant book about reason, sanity, and science.

Why not make up your own mind

This book is stunning, a masterpiece of thought provocation. You will be challenged, you will be saddened amd you will most definitely be amused.

i loved the delivery almost as much as the content.

As good as I could have hoped!

This book is excellent for anyone wanting to broaden their horizon and learn to be critical of the "truths" many of us have grown up in. I would recommend this to anyone, regardless of their beliefs, because it will make you see god in a different light.

One more thing, Richard does a remarkable job of actually explaining why he thinks as he does. If you do believe in god and listen to this book I think you will come out with an understanding of why people choose not to believe in god.

Amazing Ideas that most people don't ever hear.

To anyone thinking of reading this regardless where you stand and your own personal view of the world I would offer this advice. don't go into the book expecting to have a debate just expect to hear a side of the story and deal with it as it comes. if you open yourself up believing or not you should come out of it and much more enlightened person regardless of the end result.

Well done, Lalla

The former <i>Doctor Who</i> actress, Lalla Ward (Richard Dawkins' partner) is the real star of this recording. She gives a forceful reading that really packs a punch. Well done!

A fantastic masterpiece!

With clear thinking and sober rationale, Dawkins undoes the knot of religion, and lay it bare for all to see it for what it is.

Essential Dawkins for free thinkers

Essential Dawkins for free thinkers- Discusses mature and evidenced anti-creationist arguments with solid narration by the atheist figure himself.

A friendly, striaghtforward defence for Reason!

What made the experience of listening to The God Delusion the most enjoyable?

Aside from the remarkable content, Mr. Dawkins opted to have a second narrator help him read this. The breakup in voices made in much easier to understand when he was citing a quote, or a dialogue between two people. The overall personality of this book is cheerful, and celebrates the beauty and wonder of the natural world. I have never been more impressed with an atheistic work. Kudos, Richard!

What other book might you compare The God Delusion to and why?

I am just starting my journey into the fearless world of reason, but I do know I prefer this to the writings of Christopher Hitchens. While Hitchens is brilliant in his own right, he does have a distinct air of cynicism that I fear has helped created the Angry Atheist stereotype. While both cover similar topics, Dawkins is open, honest and optimistic. He truly loves all the natural wonders of this world, and you can hear it.

What does Richard Dawkins and Lalla Ward bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I loved hearing Dawkins enthusiasm. Ward also has a feisty, lighthearted tone and the pair make this a pleasure to listen to. I cannot express in words how unique of a pleasure it is to hear a book read as the author intended. It leaves you feelings almost acquainted.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed in several areas, but overall this book just left me feeling happy. I have only been an atheist for a couple of years, and this book has lured me out if the closet, so to speak. This team encouraged me to feel pride in my ability to reason, rather than shame for my inability to believe. That is a gift beyond measure.

A must listen for those questioning their faith.

Atheist, Deist, Agnostic or intelligent folks questioning their indoctrination must listen to this book. It will challenge you, teach you and ensure you take the time to question your most sincerely held beliefs or burgeoning disbelief. Enjoy and welcome to the freedom and exciting life of an Atheist.