Syllabus Entry 22

The Portable Atheist

Rather than presenting a single argument against religion, The Portable Atheist serves as a curated library of the greatest writings on skepticism, freethought, and secular philosophy from across the centuries. Edited and introduced by Christopher Hitchens, the anthology brings together influential voices ranging from Epicurus, Lucretius, David Hume, Thomas Paine, and Charles Darwin to Bertrand Russell, Albert Einstein, and many others. Hitchens's insightful introductions provide historical context while illustrating how the questioning of religious claims has deep intellectual roots extending far beyond the contemporary atheist movement. By allowing readers to engage directly with the original writings of some of history's greatest skeptics, the collection reveals the breadth and richness of the atheist intellectual tradition. For its historical scope, literary significance, and unparalleled introduction to the ideas that have shaped secular thought, The Portable Atheist deserves its place as the number twenty-two atheist book.