Fable - Shop now
To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.
Your audiobook is waiting!
Enjoy a free trial on us
$0.00
  • 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: $33.27
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

Why I Am Not a Christian Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,702 ratings
See all formats and editions

Dedicated as few men have been to the life of reason, Bertrand Russell has always been concerned with the basic questions to which religion also addresses itself - questions about man’s place in the universe and the nature of the good life, questions that involve life after death, morality, freedom, education, and sexual ethics. He brings to his treatment of these questions the same courage, scrupulous logic, and lofty wisdom for which his other work as philosopher, writer, and teacher has been famous. These qualities make the essays included in this collection perhaps the most graceful and moving presentation of the freethinker's position since the days of Hume and Voltaire.

Whether listeners share or reject Bertrand Russell’s views, they will find this book an invigorating challenge to set notions, a masterly statement of a philosophical position, and a pure joy to listen to. This collection was edited, with Lord Russell’s full approval and cooperation, by Professor Paul Edwards of the Philosophy Department of New York University.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 1 minute
  2. Author
    Bertrand Russell
  3. Narrator
    Qarie Marshall
  4. Audible release date
    March 22, 2019
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Dreamscape Media, LLC
  7. ASIN
    B07PNRWT2D
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next slide of product details

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.
Audible Free Trial
Discover top titles, podcasts, and more on Audible. Try 30 days free.

Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 1 minute
Author Bertrand Russell
Narrator Qarie Marshall
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date March 22, 2019
Publisher Dreamscape Media, LLC
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07PNRWT2D
Best Sellers Rank #19,705 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#13 in Religion & Philosophy (Audible Books & Originals)
#48 in Religion & Philosophy (Books)
#384 in Spirituality (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,702 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book thought-provoking and engaging. They describe it as a worthwhile read with an eloquent, articulate writing style. Readers appreciate the logical reasoning and well-argued case for introspection. Opinions differ on Russell's views on Christianity, with some finding them moral and ethical, while others consider it a rant against Christians and Christian morality.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Thought provokingReadabilityWriting styleLogical reasoningChristianity
70 customers mention "Thought provoking"61 positive9 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking. They appreciate Russell's erudition and sincerity in presenting his philosophy. The book contains several essays on the general subject of religion and its evils. It advocates for free thought and rational thinking. Readers find the title essay helpful for critical thinking. The author is considered one of history's most gifted thinkers for making advanced ideas easier to understand.

"Good summary what’s wrong with religion. I didn’t find any extraordinary ideas in this essay/lecture, but it nicely summarizes Russell’s views...." Read more

"...2. The lucid thoughts of the great British philosopher Bertrand Russell. 3. Eight essays that cover a wide-range of Russell’s lifetime. 4...." Read more

"Well written and logical. Very good information. Recommended. Refutes all the basic foundations of the God and the hell myth." Read more

"...Rather, he has obviously studied the Bible, which he quotes throughout this essay, and spent considerable time thinking about his own faith in..." Read more

61 customers mention "Readability"61 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and worth reading. They appreciate the thought-provoking observations and quotable material. The book is described as an excellent treatise for free-thinkers with interesting ideas that make it great for class.

"...Worth to read while e.g., on a train :)" Read more

"...and sophisticated arguments made today but the book is still a worthwhile read. I recommend it...." Read more

"...no way disagree with the statements made by Mr. Russell in this excellent treatise on the faults and failures of Christ and Christianity...." Read more

"...All in all, this was very interesting and pleasant to read." Read more

48 customers mention "Writing style"39 positive9 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style. They find the author eloquent, articulate, and simple to read. The prose is witty and informative, with clear explanations of why he's not Christian. Readers describe the book as well-written, poetic, and one of the best skeptical writers of the 20th century.

"...Why I Am a Rationalist. Positives: 1. Well-written collection of essays despite the fact that these essays were written decades..." Read more

"Well written and logical. Very good information. Recommended. Refutes all the basic foundations of the God and the hell myth." Read more

"...Although rather short, he explains his reasoning clearly and succinctly as to why he’s not a Christian, complete with examples and counter-examples...." Read more

"...Not a Christian," he presents his case convincingly and his prose is notoriously simple and a pleasure to read without him going into abstract..." Read more

29 customers mention "Logical reasoning"24 positive5 negative

Customers find the book's logical reasoning excellent and well-argued. They say it makes a convincing case for introspection and reinforces their initial decision. The book provides material and arguments to reinforce their own decisions. Some readers find some chapters difficult to read, but overall, they appreciate the systematic and logical approach.

"...Why I Am Not a Christian” is a very representative book of essays of the great British philosopher and man of many talents, Bertrand Russell..." Read more

"Well written and logical. Very good information. Recommended. Refutes all the basic foundations of the God and the hell myth." Read more

"...Although rather short, he explains his reasoning clearly and succinctly as to why he’s not a Christian, complete with examples and counter-examples...." Read more

"...This book gave me the material and arguments to reinforce (for myself) why I made my initial decision regarding religion...." Read more

9 customers mention "Christianity"4 positive5 negative

Customers have different views on the book's Christianity. Some find it wise, honest, and moral with ethical, social, and political views. Others consider it a source of modern criticism against Christianity and Christian morality, with weak arguments and ridicule against religion as a whole.

"...In summary, this is not a persuasive book. It is a rant against Christians and Christian morality and a rather sorry one at that." Read more

"I really like Russell on numerous grounds, such as his ethical/social/political views. He is well known for his anti-religious views...." Read more

"...The whole thing just sounded like a lot of petty ridicule against Christianity with nothing solid to back it up. I was very disappointed by the book." Read more

"...It is wise, intelligent, honest, moral, and never angry or condescending." Read more

Paperback version
3 out of 5 stars
Paperback version
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

  • jerzy
    5.0 out of 5 stars good, short read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Good summary what’s wrong with religion. I didn’t find any extraordinary ideas in this essay/lecture, but it nicely summarizes Russell’s views. Worth to read while e.g., on a train :)
    Helpful
     Report
  • Book Shark
    4.0 out of 5 stars Words of Wisdom
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Why I Am Not a Christian by Bertrand Russell

    “Why I Am Not a Christian” is a very representative book of essays of the great British philosopher and man of many talents, Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970). This book includes the following essays: 1. Why I AM Not A Christian, 2. Am I An Atheist Or An Agnostic?, 3. My Religious Reminiscences, 4. A Free Man’s Worship, 5. Religion and Metaphysics, 6. Has Religion Made Useful Contributions to Civilization?, 7. How I Came by My Creed; Or, What I Believe, and 8. Why I Am a Rationalist.

    Positives:
    1. Well-written collection of essays despite the fact that these essays were written decades ago.
    2. The lucid thoughts of the great British philosopher Bertrand Russell.
    3. Eight essays that cover a wide-range of Russell’s lifetime.
    4. Destroys the first-cause argument. “If everything must have a cause, then God must have a cause. If there can be anything without a cause, it may just as well be the world as God, so that there cannot be any validity in that argument.”
    5. A look at the argument from design. “You all know the argument from design: everything in the world is made just so that we can manage to live in the world, and if the world was ever so little different, we could not manage to live in it.”
    6. Gives reasons on why people believe in “God”.
    7. The main reason to doubt Christ’s moral character. “There is one very serious defect to my mind in Christ's moral character, and that is that He believed in hell. I do not myself feel that any person who is really profoundly humane can believe in everlasting punishment.”
    8. Religion and fear. “Religion is based, I think, primarily and mainly upon fear. It is partly the terror of the unknown and partly, as I have said, the wish to feel that you have a kind of elder brother who will stand by you in all your troubles and disputes.”
    9. Defender of science as the best tool to find out the truths of our world. “To my mind the essential thing is that one should base one's arguments upon the kind of grounds that are accepted in science, and one should not regard anything that one accepts as quite certain, but only as probable in a greater or a less degree. Not to be absolutely certain is, I think, one of the essential things in rationality.”
    10. He provides insights into his evolution from a believer to an atheist. : During the four following years I rejected, successively, free will, immortality, and belief in God, and believed that I suffered much pain in the process, though when it was completed I found myself far happier than I had been while I remained in doubt.”
    11. A look at the contributions of religion to society. “The churches, as everyone knows, opposed the abolition of slavery as long as they dared, and with a few well-advertised exceptions they oppose at the present day every movement toward economic justice.”
    12. The objection to religion. “The intellectual objection is that there is no reason to suppose any religion true; the moral objection is that religious precepts date from a time when men were more cruel than they are and therefore tend to perpetuate inhumanities which the moral conscience of the age would otherwise outgrow.”
    13. Find out the three human impulses embodied in religion.
    14. Explains the desires of religion to be in control. “Men desire to be in control because they are afraid that the control of others will be used unjustly to their detriment.”
    15. Eye-opening factoid. “I expect you know that in America men are still sent to prison for Atheism, not only in Fundamentalist States, but even in States of the East, and altogether there is in that part of the world an enormous need of propaganda on these matters.”

    Negatives:
    1. The book wasn’t professionally edited for the Kindle.
    2. There are much better and sophisticated arguments today but in Russell’s defense he inspired a lot of the great thinkers of today.

    In summary, this is a wonderful and cogent introduction to atheism. The great British philosopher Bertrand Russell passed away in 1970 and I would urge readers to view some of talks online. The essays are uneven; some are much better than others. Philosophy has evolved a lot since the times of Russell and there are much better and sophisticated arguments made today but the book is still a worthwhile read. I recommend it.

    Further suggestions: “How to Defend the Christian Faith” and “The Christian Delusion” by John Loftus, “God: The Failed Hypothesis” by Victor Stenger, “Natural Atheism” and “Atheism Advanced” by David Eller, “Soul Fallacy” by Julien Musolino, “Free Will? By Jonathan M.S. Pearce, “A Manual for Creating Atheists” by Peter Boghosian, “God Is Not Great” by Christopher Hitchens, “The Believing Brain” by Michael Shermer, “Faith vs. Fact” and “Why Evolution Is True” by Jerry A. Coyne, “Nonbeliever Nation” by David Niose, “Trusting Doubt” by Valerie Tarico, “Nailed” by David Fitzgerald, “Think” by Guy P. Harrison, and “The Science of Miracles” by Joe Nickell.
    42 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Steven Alex
    5.0 out of 5 stars “why I am not a Christian” by Bertrand Russell
    Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Well written and logical. Very good information.
    Recommended. Refutes all the basic foundations of the God and the hell myth.
    Helpful
     Report
  • William Davis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Russell is right
    Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I find that I can in no way disagree with the statements made by Mr. Russell in this excellent treatise on the faults and failures of Christ and Christianity. However, i take it a step further and disavow all Gods. That is the only disagreement I have with this work, and perhaps he felt the same, though I do not know.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kent R. Spillner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly Thoughtful
    Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I am impressed by the amount of study and thought Russell obviously dedicated to this topic. He does not simply dismiss Christianity out of hand or mock it simply because he disagrees. Rather, he has obviously studied the Bible, which he quotes throughout this essay, and spent considerable time thinking about his own faith in general and Christianity in particular. Although rather short, he explains his reasoning clearly and succinctly as to why he’s not a Christian, complete with examples and counter-examples. All in all, this was very interesting and pleasant to read.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Pseudo D
    3.0 out of 5 stars Worth it
    Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Mr. Russell was obviously a very intelligent man, and he chose his friends well, including Wittgenstein, Whitehead and many
    others. In this book he presents his views and background on Christianity and religion in general. While brought up as a
    rationalist, it seems that the decisive moment for him was reading Mill's rejection of the argument from first cause. A lot
    of his arguments are worth reading because they express in a more sophisticated way what a lot of people think, such
    as the views on sexuality, education and war and peace. Interestingly, he expected Catholics to dominate America and
    especially Boston over the next 50 to 100 years (i.e. now) but the demographics changed due to birth control. He also
    notes that Freud was highly rational but the Freudians tend to dismiss any notion that people might act out of rational
    considerations. Since Russell rejected free will, why spend so much effort trying to will what is rational? And if religion
    is made up for comfort, why does it include the possibility of hell as well as heaven? There also were some areas where
    he could have done more research. For instance, he noted that because of Christianity's emphasis on the individual soul,
    there have been no saints canonized for social justice. Well this was before Mother Teresa, but what about Vincent de Paul,
    John of God, Frances of Rome and many others? Even John Chrysostom was highly oriented toward the love of neighbor.
    At least he gave props to St. Paul on the hymn to love from 1 Cor 13. Finally, Russell's BBC debates with Frederick Copleston
    were outstanding, and these days should be available at Youtube or elsewhere.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Joanne
    5.0 out of 5 stars amazing
    Reviewed in Canada on August 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Now. I wonder why I waited so long to read books about Bertrand Russell’s way of seeing life. The man understood human nature.
    Report
  • PROFE
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gran libro
    Reviewed in Mexico on February 19, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Lenguaje cloaro y accesible a todo público.
    Report
  • gsusbc
    5.0 out of 5 stars Muy bueno, todo el mundo debería leerlo, debería ser obligatorio
    Reviewed in Spain on October 1, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Imprescindible para acabar con las supersticiones que son todas las religiones. Junto a Richard Dawkins de lo mejor demostrando que el ateísmo es la única​ postura racional y que las religiones no son más que supercherías.
    Report
  • Leon Lavanya
    5.0 out of 5 stars Russel for a reason
    Reviewed in India on August 23, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I liked it like hell.i m sure this is gonna change certain faiths of people!
    Report
  • Frank Herring
    5.0 out of 5 stars My start into Russell's philosophy
    Reviewed in Germany on August 27, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Even though he was preaching to a converted atheist, it was still a good read. Where others need 400 pages or more to make their point, he gets the message across in less than 40. Required reading.
    Report