The Age of Atheists by Peter Watson

The Age of Atheists: How We Have Sought to Live Since the Death of God by Peter Watson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

DESCRIPTION: From one of Britain's most distinguished historians comes the stirring story of one of the modern world's most important yet controversial intellectual achievements: atheism.

Since Friedrich Nietzsche roundly declared that "God is dead" in 1882, a raft of reflective and courageous individuals have devoted their creative energies to devising ways to live without Him, turning instead to invention, enthusiasm, hope, wit and, above all, various forms of self-reliance. Their brave, imaginative story has gone untold - now. In The Age of Atheists, acclaimed historian Peter Watson offers a sweeping narrative of the secular philosophers and poets, psychologists and scientists, painters and playwrights, novelists and even choreographers who have forged a thrilling, bold path in the absence of religious belief.

Synthesizing nearly a century and a half of recent history, The Age of Atheists is a stunning, magisterial celebration of life without recourse to the supernatural.

REVIEW: Gave up on this book, something I'm always loathe to do.

As an atheist I'd had high hopes for it. And the promises in the Introduction suggested it might deliver too. Peter Watson's thesis had peaked my interest.

Then I began reading the first chapter ... and asking the question, 'Yes, and what's your point?' The author failed to relate the subject of that chapter, Nietszche, back to his thesis. Moreover, there were far too many quotes and not enough of Watson's own writing.

Chapters two and three were improvements. They told of the introduction and importance of the emergence of two philosophical schools of thought - pragmatism in North America and phenomenology in Europe. But once again, the reader isn't told how this discussion supports the author's thesis.

The following chapters of Part One (there are three parts) went downhill from there; choppy writing and the threads of whatever argument Watson might be making not woven together.

It shouldn't be the task of readers to make sense of nonsensically presented arguments. It shouldn't be this much work to read a book.

Am tempted to give The Age of Atheists one star. However, having abandoned the book, I must concede that Watson's style, writing and support for his thesis may have improved over the last two-thirds. (One can always hope.) Hence, I give it two stars.

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