The Good Book

A Humanist Bible

By: A. C. Grayling

Narrated by: Michael Page

Length: 24 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Few, if any, thinkers and writers today would have the imagination, the breadth of knowledge, and the literary skill to conceive of a powerful secular alternative to the Bible. But that is exactly what A. C. Grayling has done, creating a nonreligious bible drawn from the wealth of secular literature and philosophy in both Western and Eastern traditions, using the same techniques of editing, redaction, and adaptation that produced the holy books of the Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions.

The Good Book consciously takes its design and presentation from the Bible, in the beauty of its language and its arrangement into short chapters and verses, offering to the nonreligious seeker all the wisdom, insight, solace, inspiration, and perspective of various secular humanist traditions.

Organized in 12 main sections, The Good Book opens with meditations on the origin and progress of the world and human life in it, then devotes attention to the question of how life should be lived, how we relate to one another, and how vicissitudes are to be faced and joys appreciated. Inspired by the work of Herodotus and Lucretius, Confucius and Mencius, Seneca and Cicero, Montaigne, Bacon, and so many others, The Good Book will fulfill its audacious purpose in every way.

©2011 A.C. Grayling (P)2011 Tantor

Morality 2.0

In a recent discussion with an acquaintance, he admitted to not believing in religion but would indoctrinate his children into it anyway. He rationalized this by saying "How else can I teach my children to be good people?" I replied "Humanism." If only I had this book to hand him, his children might not be in catechism right now.
This volume is as poetic and beautiful as any religious text only without the incredulity. Narration is in the appropriate accent to enunciate the ascetics of the English language. It's "books" and it's short "chapters" are all segregated appropriately for easy access. This book will yield great "bedtime" stories for my children. If civilization falls and humanity resorts back to near neolithic times, I hope this is the book they find and base there lives on.

Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful,

What did you love best about The Good Book?

The stories! The were very vivid.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The linking of the stories and characters.

What about Michael Page’s performance did you like?

That he almost sounded like AC! Good Job.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

To many! The most flags I have ever placed in one book.

Any additional comments?

This is a must!

An epic tome for an epic age

A stunning summary of history philosophical put to a modern audience. Accounts of trials and of greatness, thoughts of good, evil, thinking and everything else. Lessons for the young and old alike.
This is a long book, text may be a better reference, but to have it read to you allows your thoughts to drift to your own memory and situations you may apply such wisdom.
Wisdom is a topic that is covered well, if bio other section was rad, this section would be worth it.
I recommended read to anyone who wants to start or brush up on philosophy and history comma Grayling has amassed a enormous body of work in this unbelievable epic of a book

Better than the Bible by a long shot

I listened to this book immediately after listening to the OG and New Testaments, and then Good Without God. The latter, plus this book, significantly improved my life by means of philosophy, empathy, and motivation in life. I can’t say that at all about the Bible.

VERY tough to get through

One thing that skeptics just can't seem to grasp is how to keep someone's attention and get it to stick. It has a lot to do with poor marketing skills and this book GREATLY suffers from it. Although the information is very nice, it is so long winded and INCREDIBLY boring to listen to. Seriously I am barely into two hours and there are 25 hours to go!!!! This is an endurance test rather than words to live by.

This book has the right intentions with the WRONG execution. If skeptics/humanists/whatever want people to listen they are going to have to realize it should be entertaining and enjoyable instead of pompous and trite. This book does not offer that.