I Don’t Believe In Atheists

Author: Chris Hedges

Publisher: Free Press

Date Published: 2008

Pages: 212

The battle between new atheists and the religious fundamentalists engages two bizarre subsets of American culture. One distorts the scientific theory of evolution, applying it to complex social, economic and political systems it was never designed to explain. The other insists that the six day story of creation in Genesis is fact and Jesus will descend from the sky to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. Neither God nor science, however, will protect us from the destructive forces within human history and human nature.

The battle underway in the United States is not between religion and science. It is a battle between two utopian forms of faith. These antagonists trade absurdity for absurdity. They show that the danger is not religion or science. The danger is the fundamentalist mindset itself.

Chris Hedges began writing ‘I Don’t Believe In Atheists’ following a debate with Sam Harris, author of ‘The End of Faith’ and ‘Letter To A Christian Nation’. The debate*, titled ‘Religion, Politics and the End of the World’, was hosted by Truthdig. Hedges has also written his fair share of books (including ‘American Fascists’ and ‘War Is A Force That Gives Us Meaning’), as well as covering an epic amount of international conflict for around twenty years, but hadn’t paid close attention to the atheist movement before the debate.

I have read Richard Dawkins’ ‘The God Delusion’, which I found to be quite vomit inducingly stupid (with an occassional good point). I have also read Harris’s ‘Letter To A Christian Nation’, which came across as a simplistic affair of pseudo-intellectualism. These books made me feel alienated from my fellow atheists, though I couldn’t quite put a finger on why they bothered me so much. I was already intrigued by Hedges, who writes against Dominionist Christians and atheists, but he drew me in mainly because I hadn’t seen anyone without a fundamentalist agenda responding to the claims of Harris, Dawkins and Hitchens.

American Fascists

Author: Chris Hedges

Publisher: Vintage

Date Published: 2007

Pages: 254

The Christian Right and the War on America

They disseminate their ideas on the alternative broadcasts networks and through their own publishers and schools. Their intellectual leaders demand the complete dismantling of the secular state; their followers have been roused to a fever pitch of resentment and despair. Describing themselves as true patriots, they wrap themselves in the flag – but all it might take is one more September 11 for the Christian Right to seize power and reveal themselves for what they really are: The American heir of Fascism.

I initially came across Chris Hedges at Truthdig,  in ‘Celebrating Slaughter: War and Collective Amnesia‘, an article about war memorials sanitizing the true nature of war, causing them to be an effective form of  propoganda for future conflict. I was skeptical and prepared to read a disenfranchised university student’s attempt at being controversial, however it turned out to be a very interesting piece. It was this article that caused me to research Hedges publications and purchase ‘American Fascists’ (it sealed the deal when I saw that he had written a book called ‘I Don’t Believe In Atheists’. Personally, I’m intrigued by an author who is willing to make enemies with everyone.)

Chris Hedges is a journalist, Pulitzer Prize winner, a senior fellow at the National Institute and authored ‘War Is A Force That Gives Us Meaning’ and ‘What Every Person Should Know About War’ amongst other books. He was a foreign correspondent for nearly two decades and has covered conflicts in Latin America, Africa, The Middle East, The Balkans and The Gaza Strip. Hedges is also a Christian and he speaks of his upbringing in detail. His Father is a Presbyterian Minister and Hedges attended Harvard Divinity School (he graduated, but was not ordained).

Fusion Junction 3

Publisher: ABDOTC Publishing

Date Published: 2008

Pages: 103

Size: 10.9″ by 7.4″ (Hardcover)

A collection of contemporary character art

‘Fusion Junction 3′, the third installment of the ‘Fusion Junction’ series, continues the anthology of character design for modern gaming, comic, film and advertising, a seemingly inexhaustible subject given the continually expanding appetite of consumers. The ‘Fusion Junction’ series is a product of the growing use of digital art as a mainstream medium, its popularity in the younger generations of artists and art lovers and its growing presence in media imagery (due to its use for concept art in film, games and recently advertising). Technology and the internet are revolutionising art, not only in its form and function, but its capability to be spread over the world with a click of a button.

‘Fusion Junction 3′ continues the format of four artists and features the artworks of Artgerm, MHK, Noah and Noho. (Please click the following links for my reviews on the predecessors  ‘Fusion Junction 1′ and ‘Fusion Junction 2′).

The Autobiography Of Malcolm X

Authors: Malcolm X and Alex Haley

Publisher: Penguin

Date Published: 1965

Pages: 512

Malcolm X’s blazing, legendary autobiography, completed shortly before his assassination in 1965, depicts a remarkable life: a child born into rage and despair, who turned to street-hustling and cocaine in the Harlem ghetto, followed by prison, where he converted to the Black Muslims and honed the energy and brilliance that made him one of the most important political figures of his time - and an icon in ours. It also charts the spiritual journey that took him beyond militancy, and led to his murder, in a powerful story of transformation, redemption and betrayal.

My impression of Malcolm X before reading his autobiography was that he represented the extremist side of the black civil rights movement in 1960’s America – like a ‘dark’ Dr Martin Luther King. Some would see this appraisal as correct; I see it as having elements of truth, but also being  a far too simplistic portrait of a man whose life was anything but.

I get nervous when writing a review about an autobiography – this was a real person after all, who would have been far more complex than any book can describe. However, I think that there is merit in discussing the presentation, historical precedence and opinions expressed in ’The Autobiography’. After all, if not for discussion, then for what purpose would a memoir serve?

I, Robot

 

Author: Isaac Asimov

Publisher: Spectra

Date Published: 1950

Pages: 224

Firstly, if you have watched the ‘I, Robot’ movie please forget about it when approaching the book. The two texts are not at all alike; except they both feature robots and a character called Susan Calvin (it’s expected that Hollywood will butcher movie adaptions of books, but I’m a little dissapointed because the source material was relatively straight forward).

‘I, Robot’, considered the grandaddy of science fiction literature, is actually a series of nine short stories revolving around the famous ‘Three Laws of Robotics’:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

These nine stories are recounted to an anonymous journalist by the protagonist Dr Susan Calvin. Although Dr Calvin does not personally narrate all the stories, she acts as an introductory bridge to each tale.

30 Minute Meals: A Commonsense Guide

Publisher: Murdoch Books

Date Published: 2009

Pages: 383

‘30 Minute Meals’ is the newest in the Commonsense Guide cookery line from Murdoch Books. I was a little surprised to see it on the shelf, given that they have already covered the basics of cookery and baking. However, the choice to create a book that specialises in fast meals seems obvious now. It reflects the modern need for quick nutritious meals following working hours. Obviously, even food lovers may have extremely busy lives.

The book is an interesting reflection of the increasingly multinational diet of Australia, and indeed most western countries such as England and America. The average household tends to eat a mixed bag of cherry picked favorites of the major cuisines. Pasta and stir fries in particular have become a staple of the weekday meal. Previously unheard of ingrediants and spice blends are becoming easy to purchase and part of the Australian cooking vocabulary.

On Love And Death

Author: Patrick Suskind

Translation: Anthea Bell

Publisher: Text Publishing

Date Published: 2006

Pages: 90

In this inspiring meditation, Patrick Suskind considers the two great forces of human existence. He draws scenes as varied as a young couple having oral sex while stuck in traffic, and an elderly Thomas Mann tumbling back into forbidden love. Suskind then dazzles as he writes about Orpheus and Jesus, comparing their very different stories of death conquered through love.

‘On Love And Death’ is written by Patrick Suskind, author of the notable novel ‘Perfume: Story of a Murderer’ which I have recently discovered and currently worship. When I finished ‘Perfume’, I was quick to research the author and decided that reading his essays on love and death would be a worthy endeavour given his deft handling of notions in the before mentioned fiction.

‘On Love And Death’ is short - very short. It took me an hour to read. There are only 90 pages in this tiny sized book and the font is enormous (even the margins are large!). I have discovered a passion for short books (I have fallen in love with the novella), as I’m beginning to see huge monoliths as a sign of the author’s inability to get to the point succinctly and skillfully. So I will admit that I opened ‘On Love And Death’ with fairly high expectations.

Franklin Booth: American Illustrator

Editor: Manuel Auad

Publisher: Auad Publishing

Date Published: 2005

Pages: 128

Franklin Booth is one of the most important and influential artists of the nineteenth and twentieth centures. He is a true master of the pen and brush and his remarkable talent continues to amaze. In this richly illustrated volume featuring rarely seen artwork, Eisner Award winning editor Manuel Auad offers a glimpse into the breath taking vision of this incredible American Illustrator.

Despite the colour cover, Franklin Booth is renowned for his black and white illustrations (which makes the cover image, whilst beautiful, a poor choice to represent the gist of his works). Upon coming across his skilled and enormously beautiful works I decided to purchase a collection of his art.

Richly detailed is a gargantuan understatement, yet Booth has the super human ability to flood a work with a radical amount of black and end up with a balanced and controlled piece. These are works that could be studied for sheer technical ability for hours, even if one didn’t really like the content of the images. He touches all manner of subjects, from pyramids in the shadow of sky-scrapers, the simple splendour of farmland and people in day to day activities. Everything is represented with a dignified grace, almost the personification of ‘the good old days’. In particular, the American landscape is held in reverence.

Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer

Author: Patrick Suskind

Publisher: Penguin

Date Published: 1985

Pages: 263

Patrick Suskind’s Perfume follows the life of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, abandoned at birth in the slums of eighteenth-century Paris, but blessed with an outstanding sense of smell. This gift enables Jean-Baptiste to master the art of perfume making, but one scent evades him: that of a virgin, whom he must possess to ensure her innocence and beauty are preserved. Laced with sense and suspense, this is a beguiling tale of lust, desire and deadly obsession.

I accidently watched the end of the ‘Perfume’ film (generally I run away with my hands over my ears if I happen across a movie adaption of a book I haven’t read yet, but I was stuck this time). Given the interesting nature of the ending, I quickly decided to pick up the novel.

Perfume is a small to medium sized book (depending on your reading speed and habits) of only 263 pages. I read the first page and I was hooked. Despite reading a great deal, and loving or at least appreciating most of the literature I come across, that immediate reaction of ‘oh my, this is awesome’ is still quite rare and elusive. Seeing the movie ending beforehand only made me appreciate the writing skills of Suskind – the gravity of the scenes were still tantamount due to his writing prowess, despite my knowledge of events.

The God Delusion

Author: Richard Dawkins

Publisher: Black Swan

Date Published: 2006

Pages: 463

A preeminent scientist — and the world’s most prominent atheist — asserts the irrationality of belief in God and the grievous harm religion has inflicted on society, from the Crusades to 9/11. With rigor and wit, Dawkins examines God in all his forms, from the sex-obsessed tyrant of the Old Testament to the more benign (but still illogical) Celestial Watchmaker favored by some Enlightenment thinkers. He eviscerates the major arguments for religion and demonstrates the supreme improbability of a supreme being. He shows how religion fuels war, foments bigotry, and abuses children, buttressing his points with historical and contemporary evidence. The God Delusion makes a compelling case that belief in God is not just wrong but potentially deadly. It also offers exhilarating insight into the advantages of atheism to the individual and society, not the least of which is a clearer, truer appreciation of the universe’s wonders than any faith could ever muster.

For a long time I wasn’t compelled to read ’The God Delusion’ at all, despite my atheism and Dawkins’ respect amongst the atheist community. I eventually decided I may as well do so, especially since the Scarlet letter campaign appeared on some of my favorite blogs such as Pharyngula and Forever In Hell.

So I dutifully located it in Borders. Whilst searching for the blurb, I became a little suspicious and nauseated by the accolades plastered on every inch of available cover, which also continued for the first two pages. This is forgivable, it was most likely the publishers’ idea, rather than Dawkins’ (a word of advice for publishers; a few well placed literary review quotes are enough – 25 is overkill.)

Before I continue, I want you to know that I didn’t go into this looking for a fight, as some readers may have purchased the book specifically for (those of the religious or creationist opinion in particular). I certainly wasn’t a fan of Dawkins; I was largely indifferent to him. I started out generally optimistic when I opened the book. Then the cringing began. Soon there were moments that made me shake my head and say (quite appropriately I think). ‘Jesus Christ, Richard. Slow down there’. I really didn’t expect I would dislike ’The God Delusion’ this much. My aversion truly surprised me. Now I would like to explain why.