Freaks of Nature - Shop now
To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.
Limited-time Offer
Save over 90% off
$0.99
  • For a limited time, join Audible for only $0.99/mo for the first 3 months.
  • 1 bestseller or new release each month from our entire selection - yours to keep.
  • Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts & Audible Originals.
  • After 3 months, $14.95/mo. No commitment. Cancel online anytime.
Learn more about membership
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
Your audiobook is waiting!
  • One credit a month to pick any title from our entire premium selection to keep (you’ll use your first credit now).
  • Unlimited listening on select audiobooks, Audible Originals, and podcasts.
  • You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
  • $14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel online anytime.
Learn more about membership
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
List Price: $20.00
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible’s Conditions Of Use. and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company

The Age of Reason Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Thomas Paine (Author), Robin Field (Narrator), Mission Audio (Publisher)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,837 ratings
See all formats and editions

Thomas Paine's The Age of Reason; Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology, published in three parts from 1794, was a best seller in America, where it caused a short-lived deistic revival. Promoting a creator-God while advocating reason in the place of revelation, Paine’s controversial pamphlet caused his native British audience, fearing the results of the French Revolution, to receive it with more hostility than their American counterparts. This passionate and engaging recording of Paine’s classic is as certain to provoke modern listeners to thought as it did his original audience.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 30 minutes
  2. Author
    Thomas Paine
  3. Narrator
    Robin Field
  4. Audible release date
    August 31, 2010
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Mission Audio
  7. ASIN
    B0041JIM2E
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next slide of product details
  Report an issue with this product or seller

Read & Listen

Switch between reading the Kindle book & listening to the Audible audiobook with Whispersync for Voice.
Get the Audible audiobook for the reduced price of $7.49 after you buy the Kindle book.
$0.99/month for the first 3 months
For a limited time, save 90% on Audible. Get this deal

Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 30 minutes
Author Thomas Paine
Narrator Robin Field
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date August 31, 2010
Publisher Mission Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0041JIM2E
Best Sellers Rank #57,190 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#51 in Religion & Philosophy (Audible Books & Originals)
#60 in Political Philosophy (Audible Books & Originals)
#325 in Other Religions, Practices & Sacred Texts (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,837 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book thought-provoking and interesting. They describe it as a good read with clear writing that makes them chuckle at times. Readers appreciate the humor and value for money. However, opinions differ on the inconsistencies found throughout the Bible.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Thought provokingReadabilityWriting qualityHumorValue for moneyInconsistencies
167 customers mention "Thought provoking"157 positive10 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and interesting. They say it provides an interesting perspective to an atheist, and makes them ponder and think. The book is thorough, detailed, and compelling. It is an excellent introduction to the concept of deism, a refreshing work, and a liberating introduction to self-realization that changes them deeply.

"...It has changed me,personally and deeply. I don't see how I ever really used to believe in the bible before...." Read more

"...Thomas Paine was such a brilliant man. He's one example of why so many people incorrectly believe we are a Christian nation when we are not...." Read more

"...You'll also get a more balanced view of deism than we usually get from Christians, who typically misrepresent it as a message of gloom and doom..." Read more

"...In addition, he brings out some very interesting things about the historical aspects of the early Jewish religion as well as his take on their..." Read more

133 customers mention "Readability"130 positive3 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and worth reading. They appreciate the author's passion and care for the reader. The first part is praised, while some skim the second part.

"...One of the best books I have ever read, and wish I would have read it alot sooner." Read more

"...This is a must read for every man, woman, child, and if your pet can read, give it to them too." Read more

"...those who are not afraid to learn about alternative beliefs, it is a great book and well deserving of the rating of five stars...." Read more

"The book isn’t bad at all. It’s just that he wrote the truth, the bible was written with a lot of “here-say”...." Read more

99 customers mention "Writing quality"80 positive19 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book. They find it eloquent and concise, providing good food for thought. The author brilliantly lays out hypocrisies, inaccuracies, and contradictions in the Biblical record. Readers appreciate the clear logic and systematic approach to applying reason and logic to decipher whether the Bible is true or false. The analysis is thorough, detailed, and compelling, due to the style which appeals to a popular audience.

"...Methodically and systemically, book by book,chapter by chapter and verse by verse, he rips out the internal guts of the bible,and he lays it out in..." Read more

"...He brilliantly and eloquently lays out all the hypocrisies, inaccuracies, and contradictions in the Old and New Testament...." Read more

"...On one hand, his views on the fatuousness of theistic religion are eloquent and concise, and extremely surprising for a man who lived in the 1700s...." Read more

"...Paine's respect and adoration for God was pure, unadulterated by human contraption. In other words, he worshipped God without all the baggage...." Read more

10 customers mention "Humor"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the author's humorous writing style.

"...It is actually quite humorous at times *..." Read more

"...His style makes me chuckle at times. What a great Patriot and scholar!" Read more

"...this book a real joy to read....I enjoyed this book very much..It makes you laugh and at the same time it makes you ponder and think...." Read more

"...This a very good read, very humorous. Think Bill Maher in the 18th Century." Read more

10 customers mention "Value for money"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They find it worth every penny, with strong content and historical value. The book is an easy read with thought-provoking content.

"...This book is priceless and really turned me around. Thank you Thomas Paine!" Read more

"Good, affordable edition of a classic...." Read more

"...This book - along with several other notable like-offerings (e.g., Freethinkers by Susan Jacoby) - forms the basis for a good argument against the..." Read more

"...Worth every penny!" Read more

35 customers mention "Inconsistencies"12 positive23 negative

Customers have different views on the book's inconsistencies. Some find it a good read that catalogs and explains inconsistencies found throughout the Bible. They describe it as a methodical review of the Bible and a compelling defense of Deism. Others say the Bible is contradictory, not the infallible Word of God, and ignorant about the difference between the Testaments.

"...this book in such a way, as for it to be virtually impossible for anyone to refute his evidence and his proofs and whoever tries to refute it, they..." Read more

"...This book is also a great counter-argument to the opinion that it was the intention of the founding fathers that this be a "christian" nation...." Read more

"...Simple. He points out the hypocrisies,inaccuracies,and contradictions of the "holy" Bible...................and doesn't even go outside of the Bible..." Read more

"...It is a history of wickedness, that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind; and, for my own part, I sincerely detest it, as I detest everything..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Diligent Daoist
    5.0 out of 5 stars read and reviewed by a FORMER christian
    Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book and am reviewing it as a former christian. I left the church and the christian religion many years ago,thank goodness! I now call myself a deist and belief wise, deism is what I now see is the only true path for myself and I am just now getting around to have read the book. I would have still ended up leaving the religion anyway, whether I read the book or not,It was just basically a question of when I would eventually leave the religion. But after having read the book now, it has only more deeply confirmed for me and convinced me that I made the right decision for myself by earlier leaving the church and the religion.

    I think every Christian should read this book. It should be required reading especially for fundamentalists and evangelicals. But be forewarned, this book isn't for the faint or weak of heart and not for those who don't like to have their personal Christian beliefs and faith challenged, which is exactly what this book will do. It will not only challenge your faith and your personal belief in the bible and Christianity in general, it will also quite possibly destroy it for you as well.

    Thomas Paine, an idealist,a radical and a master rhetorician, was definitely a man with a self appointed mission with this book, He so completely and so totally destroys the bible and decimates and obliterates it like no one I have ever seen before. He is completely thorough in his devastation and destruction of the bible. He holds no punches.Nothing in the bible escapes his visciousness. He attacks the bible from within, using only the bible to prove the absurdities and contradictions and fallacies and falicious lies contained within it. He uses the bible as proof to disprove itself. He is relentless and ruthful in his attack and he doesn't let up for a single moment.

    From the very start, he comes out swinging, in his examination of the old testament.Methodically and systemically, book by book,chapter by chapter and verse by verse, he rips out the internal guts of the bible,and he lays it out in the open,and exposes it for all to see it for what it is. He metaphorically swings the bible like an axe with deadly accuracy,precision and aim, when he is done, and the smoke and the dust cloud settles, the bible lay heaped and crumpled up,mortally wounded in the corner,just a shell of a book,all that is left of it.

    Thomas Paine, makes you definitely stop and think as you read it. As you read his book, I highly suggest opening your bible and lay them side by side, and you can follow along,step by step, and virtually walk with him down the bloody path of annihlation and destruction which he will leave in his wake. It's easy to see, he was way ahead of his time when he wrote this book. He was centuries ahead in terms of thinking,when he wrote this book, and it's easy to see why alot of people in his time didn't want to accept his ideaology. I can easily imagine he made alot of enemies for himself when he wrote this. Alot of people must have absolutely hated him after he wrote it, and it's easy to see the controvercial firestorm he set off when he opened this can of worms. He was too radical for his time and people weren't ready for the book or for his particular way of thinking.People couldn't easily accept him or his book at that time.

    Even though this book was first published in 1795, it almost seems as if he were writing it for our modern times. This book really speaks so much to our present modern day world and our society today and it's just as true and applicable today,as it was back in his time. Most christians probably have never ever read the bible through completely from cover to cover, while other christians mostly believe the bible only because they are told to believe it by family, and friends,associates ect.....Most American Christians don't even really know what's even in the bible

    The really amazing thing about his book....It cannot be refuted. no way. not even. I don't care who it is, I don't care what kind of education or theology degree a person has, you will find what Thomas Paine says about the bible is true, check it for yourself.open your bible and read the bible along with his book,side by side and follow along with him. You will find what he says is sincere,honest and straight forward. He has no reason to lie, but unfortunately the bible as well as the church has very good reasons to lie to society and to impose this book and their beliefs on the rest of the world.

    Any Pastor,Preacher,Bishop, clergyman, probably even the POPE himself would be definitely hardpressed and mentally challenged to even try to refute this book. Thomas Paine wrote this book in such a way, as for it to be virtually impossible for anyone to refute his evidence and his proofs and whoever tries to refute it, they will have their work cut out for them. This is the book your church and your Preacher or your Pastor doesn't want you to read.

    I for one am so glad I bought it and read it. It has changed me,personally and deeply. I don't see how I ever really used to believe in the bible before. I believe in God, very much, of course, don't get me wrong. I believe in God, I just don't believe in the bible,or in Christianity as an organized religion and I can now begin to see how the world and how our society would be alot better off without both the Bible and organized religion.

    Buy the book. Read it. face your fear and challenge your personal beliefs and faith if your strong enough and if your not afraid. Open your eyes!....see the truth!...be changed. Personally, I don't see how a person could buy this book and read it and not be a changed person by the time they are done reading it. Thomas Paine did a great service for both his society and ours when he wrote this book. This book will always be in my personal library of books. When your done reading the book, start from page 1 and read it again.

    One of the best books I have ever read, and wish I would have read it alot sooner.
    48 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Matt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thomas Paine destroys the Bible, he absolutely murdered it
    Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I was going to write my review tomorrow, but I couldn't wait. This is absolutely the best book I have ever read. Thomas Paine absolutely destroyed the Bible. I challenge any Christian alive today who hasn't read this book to read it, I challenge you. The hardcore Christians, the fundamentalists, and those who take the Bible as the literal word of God, I dare you. When you're through reading this, you'll never pick up the Bible again, I promise you. Paine starts his book of by saying he believes in one God and no more. Just one, not a three in one special you get with Christianity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). He brilliantly and eloquently lays out all the hypocrisies, inaccuracies, and contradictions in the Old and New Testament. Paine says the word of God cannot be written in some book because it is pure. Man can take his word and twist it around however it suits him. I told a few people that if this one true God does exist, man has severely distorted his word. With 1,500 Christian faiths in the U.S. alone and 38,000 worldwide, and so many different religions, how can we say ANY of them are the true word of God. Different religions with different "holy scriptures" all claiming to be the true word of God. As Thomas Paine says, how can they all be right? My point exactly! This man thought 214 years ago how I think today.

    He says when someone gets a message directly from a higher power, it's a revelation. But when I turn around and tell you, it now becomes second hand information. And Paine doesn't do "second-hand" information, and neither do I. He lays out a brilliant example: when the apostle Thomas didn't believe Jesus had risen and people saw him, he said he had to see it for himself. He wasn't going to believe it simply because someone else told him. Thomas shows us right here why we should be skeptics of what others say, especially when it comes to religion.

    Paine shows how one book of the Bible says one thing, and yet another book says something else. Example: in the Gospel of Matthew, there are 28 generations between Jesus and King David. In Luke, there are 42. Well gee, since all of these men followed Jesus, wouldn't they agree? And when Jesus was crucified and the earthquake came, only Matthew mentions it. Why? Paine says that either the gospels were great liars, or that these men DID NOT author the books of the Bible. There are just too many contradictions to prove him wrong. The angel who was to tell of the "holy conception" came to Joseph in one Gospel, but to Mary in another. How can there be so many contradictions in a book that has been claimed to be inspired by God? This is why Paine said he does not believe the Bible is the true word of God. He also says that if one part of the Bible has contradictions, how can we trust any of it? And how can we simply discount other "holy" inspired books like the Koran, but believe in the Bible when it has soooooo many obvious contradictions? How can pastors preach this every Sunday? How can they tell their congregation of the earthquake in Matthew's account, but when they read from Luke, Mark, or John, not mention it? Don't the pastors even realize this?

    There is the assumption that Moses wrote the Torah, or the first five books the Bible. The children of Israel (having reached the promised land)ate a food called maana. Moses died before the children reached the promised land, even the Bible says this. How then did Moses write what the children ate when he was dead?

    So what does Thomas Paine do in this book? Simple. He points out the hypocrisies,inaccuracies,and contradictions of the "holy" Bible...................and doesn't even go outside of the Bible to do it! Do you know what would happen if pastors were to read this book and see all the hypocrisies of their Bible? What would they make of it?

    Even in Genesis, one chapter says the things around Adam came first and then Adam was made, but the next chapter says Adam was made first and THEN the things around him. If God inspired the Bible, wouldn't it be consistent from Genesis all the way to Revelations? One more thing: Paine points out that the word "prophesy" meant a poet or someone who played an instrument in those days, not someone who could tell the future. He points out how many so called "prophets" in the Old Testament ended up being wrong about their predictions. As time passed, the word prophet became synonymous with telling the future. So the church took it and ran with it.

    Thomas Paine was such a brilliant man. He's one example of why so many people incorrectly believe we are a Christian nation when we are not. Many of our Founders were like Paine, deists, not Christian.

    This is a must read for every man, woman, child, and if your pet can read, give it to them too.
    49 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful and insightful
    Reviewed in Canada on April 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This book clearly explains why the bible, and by extension all popular religions, are a fraud. It will open your mind to really consider what is worth believing and practising.
    Report
  • Chalapathy V Dhanwada
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read
    Reviewed in India on May 25, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    As can be expected, applying reason and logic to matters of faith and belief yields a bumper crop of points to argue about. But the argument is important because it concerns what affects us all. It is well done in this book. What puzzled me though is the author's assertions on the existence of a deistic almighty, as if the awesome creation we behold is sufficient proof to support it.
    Report
  • Emmanuel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good
    Reviewed in Germany on October 26, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I received the Book in a very good condition and in a timely manner. I like the writings of Thomas Paine, he does't just criticise something, but does gives logical reason to his arguements.
    Report
  • Ralph Walker
    5.0 out of 5 stars Every Christian should read this!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 20, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This was great! Thomas Paine sounds like the Richard Dawkins of his day, but is much deeper and better thought through and makes Richard Dawkins look like an amateur. It is a powerfully reasoned criticism of the Bible and Christianity. I read it as a Christian and looked up all the Bible references. I saw that Paine's criticisms and alleged inconsistencies in the Bible make the same mistakes that so many critics of the Bible have made over the years and that for anyone who knows the Bible a few minutes analysis of Paine's alleged Bible errors show that his arguments have no ground. I wasn't surprised by this at all, but as always it was great to encounter a serious and thoughtful attack on Christianity and see that Christianity and its Bible easily stand up to attack by the best of intellects. Every Christian should read this!
    Report
  • David Murphy
    5.0 out of 5 stars its even better the second time at 37 yrs of age
    Reviewed in Australia on February 4, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Read it first when i was 15, its even better the second time at 37 yrs of age. Everyone should read this book
    Report