Bertrand Russell Russell - Why I Am Not a Christian, and Other Essays on Religion and Related Subjects

Pros: Clearly written, easily accessible, intelligent and highly logical

Cons: none

The Bottom Line: Russell's prose style is casual, and aimed at the average reader. In this way he is able to educate members of the general public who may know little of philosophy

Review: Bertrand Russell was one of the most influential minds of the first half of the twentieth century. His Principia Mathematica, co-authored with Alfred North Whitehead, completely changed Set theory (that it was later found to be flawed is...

Pros: irreverent in the dignified sense of the word

Cons: not as widely sold as it should be

Review: A Mirror for the Unchristian Seeker

If you're not a Christian, you ought to have your own set of reasons. Chances are that you're an independent, critical thinker. Still, it's reassuring sometimes to receive confirmation of one's...

Pros: The title is as frank and to-the-point as the text. Dense with reason.

Cons: The title, though precisely accurate, may repel those who most need it.

Review: So many books like these sort of 'preach to the choir' (sorry) in that they're seemingly written for agnostics and atheists. Russell is concise and convincing without being offensive to Christians, though the title might keep them away. Even the title, ...

Pros: Insight into the search for the “good life”

Cons: Some overly optimistic assessments

The Bottom Line: Will provoke thought. There is sadness, but also honesty. Some outmoded ideas, progressive-era optimism

Review: Despite its title, this book’s primary concern is not Christianity but ethics. As Russell’s objections to Christianity are explained in detail, however, and most of his objections are based on ethics. There is often sadness in his work, a ...

Pros: Well-constructed, rational philosophy.

Cons: A little dry.

The Bottom Line: A cutting critique of religious and social conventions.

Review: Bertrand Russell is probably the leading freethinker and humanist of the early and mid-20th Century. A philosopher, mathematician, educator, social critic and political activist, Russell authored over 70 books and thousands of essays addressing a myriad...