[S. T. Joshi] Icons of Unbelief : Atheists, Agnostics, and Secularists (pdf){Zzzzz}[BЯ]

In the opinion of many critics and philosophers, we are entering an age of atheism marked by the waning of Christian fundamentalism and the flourishing of secular thought. Through alphabetically arranged entries written by expert contributors, this book profiles 27 iconic figures of unbelief whose ideas have shaped American society over the last 200 years. Included are entries on influential figures of the past, such as Albert Einstein and Voltaire, as well as on such contemporary figures as Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris. Each entry discusses the ideas and lasting significance of each person or group, provides sidebars of interesting information and illuminating quotations, and cites works for further reading. The volume closes with a selected, general bibliography. Students in social studies and history classes will welcome this reference as a guide to the ideas central to the American separation of Church and State and to many of the political debates at the heart of society today.

Each entry discusses the ideas and lasting significance of the person or group, provides sidebars of interesting information and quotations, and closes with a list of works for further reading. The volume ends with a selected, general bibliography. Students in history and social studies classes will welcome this reference as a guide to the American separation of Church and State and to the ideas central to contemporary political debates.

Editorial Reviews
Review

Included are alphabetically arranged entries on 27 iconic figures of unbelief, such as:

Charles Bradlaugh

Richard Dawkins

Daniel C. Dennett

Albert Einstein

The Existentialists

The Founding Fathers

Sigmund Freud

Sam Harris

Robert G. Ingersoll

Friedrich Nietzsche

Madalyn Murray O'Hair

Mark Twain

Voltaire


"This biographical collection offers in-depth, essay-format profiles of 27 iconic figures of 'unbelief,' intellectuals who have advocated for atheism, agnosticism, or secularism, from the historical . . . to the contemporary. . . This is an excellent starting point for research and paper writing, but the casual reader will find the book engaging as well. This reviewer was caught up in the content and found the profiles to be well written, clearly presented, and very informative. . . . This set is recommended for public, high school, and academic libraries."
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ARBA
Book Description

Never before has atheism and agnosticism been so prevalent in American society, as testified by the simultaneous appearance of 2 atheist volumes on the bestseller lists: Richard Dawkins's The God Delusion and Sam Harris's Letter to a Christian Nation.

Publisher: Greenwood (October 30, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031334759X
ISBN-13: 978-0313347597