Topic: Skeptical Book recommendation thread

[MikeSmith]

My wife, despite having been a microbiology major, has gradually become very religious, primarily, I believe, out of the groundless fear that our children will have no moral center without it.  She frequently accuses me of using skepticism and science as a religion, and always trots out the old "Science is untrustworthy because it's always changing" saw. 

Anyway.

Every night, I read to her until she falls asleep, and we've gone through dozens of books that way over the years.  I am currently looking for great books that I can read to her to help show her the beauty of science and skepticism--but they need to be the sorts of books that she won't feel initially threatened by.  (So no GOD DELUSION right off.)

I think that if I can read her a number of great books on logic, reason, skepticism, and science, that she'll inevitably have to come round, to some degree.

I just read COSMOS by myself, and I'm thinking Carl Sagan's DEMON-HAUNTED WORLD might be a good first one to read to her.  Any other suggestions?

[Zookster]

Unweaving the Rainbow?

A Dawkins book about how the universe remains an awe inspiring place even (especially) in the absence of a religious belief.

[musteion]

I think Shermer's Why People Believe Weird Things is a brisk and light, but interesting read.  He does a great job of piling on the examples and analogies of why it's good to be skeptical without being too dry.

[ng]

What about some of the wonderful books in which scientists talk about their approaches to moral, political, and spiritual questions?  James Weissman (the Wood's Hole Cantata, et al) is a wonderful essayist.  Stuart Kaufmann's "At Home in the Universe" is quite inspiring (I haven't gotten around to "Reinventing the Sacred" yet).

[IrishJazz]

If she likes thrillers, the latest Lee Child "Reacher" book- "Nothing to Lose"  features a classic American hero type (the stoic warrior) who is also highly skeptical, and a villian who is, among other things, a fundamentalist preacher.  It is currently a best seller, got a very good review in the NYTimes, so it's a good blend of action, critical thinking and critical praise.

I would recommend the Sagan books ahead of Dawkins or even Shermer if you are trying to change her mind. Shermer is a bit more balanced, but handing someone Dawkins is like giving them a tract.  He's a good writer but not sympathetic enough to be an evangelist.

[ng]

... handing someone Dawkins is like giving them a tract.  He's a good writer but not sympathetic enough to be an evangelist.

Every time I pick up one of Christopher Hitchens' books, I'm pleasantly surprised by how sympathetic he is to our human vagaries.  For example "The Portable Atheist" would appear from its title to be exactly the wrong bedtime reading for MikeSmith's wife, and yet in the preface he talks about values and vulnerability and all the things that drive people to religion.  "God is not Great" was similarly sympathetic.  It's funny, on the surface he's even more bombastic than Dawkins, but when you get to the details he's very nuanced.

[Zookster]

I would recommend the Sagan books ahead of Dawkins or even Shermer if you are trying to change her mind. Shermer is a bit more balanced, but handing someone Dawkins is like giving them a tract.  He's a good writer but not sympathetic enough to be an evangelist.

Have you read Unweaving the Rainbow?  I agree he is quite full on generally, but this book was specifically aimed more at explaining how the wonder of nature can fill the human need that religion fills, without religion.  So it also acknowledges all sorts of human needs......

[IrishJazz]

I would recommend the Sagan books ahead of Dawkins or even Shermer if you are trying to change her mind. Shermer is a bit more balanced, but handing someone Dawkins is like giving them a tract.  He's a good writer but not sympathetic enough to be an evangelist.

Have you read Unweaving the Rainbow?  I agree he is quite full on generally, but this book was specifically aimed more at explaining how the wonder of nature can fill the human need that religion fills, without religion.  So it also acknowledges all sorts of human needs......

Yes, I read it and agree with the propositions. But I think a believer would detect the condescension behind the sympathy.

[Zookster]

I would recommend the Sagan books ahead of Dawkins or even Shermer if you are trying to change her mind. Shermer is a bit more balanced, but handing someone Dawkins is like giving them a tract.  He's a good writer but not sympathetic enough to be an evangelist.

Have you read Unweaving the Rainbow?  I agree he is quite full on generally, but this book was specifically aimed more at explaining how the wonder of nature can fill the human need that religion fills, without religion.  So it also acknowledges all sorts of human needs......

Yes, I read it and agree with the propositions. But I think a believer would detect the condescension behind the sympathy.

Fair 'nuff.

[Grimner]

"In search of the light" by Susan Blackmore comes to mind as a good bedtime story. Both a personal journey and an honest approach to science. Guess there will be points of sympathy there. Religion is not a direct issue in the book.

'Snake Oil' - John Diamond. The beginning of a book and a collection of essays. A witty and sympathetic atheist. There is no way Diamond is in hell.

'Infidel - my life' - Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Haven't read much yet, but sneaking in a little religious criticism in by looking at the competition, so to speak? You might want to skip the introduction.

'Unweaving the Rainbow' has my vote. The God Delusion would definitely be wrong for this audience right now, but from what you are saying (sounds like your wife needs more pride in her education to start with), this is a bull's eye - even more so than Carl Sagan - no disrespect of Sagan. There is a little direct anti-religion here, but far more good pro-science. You can skim ahead or ask her to cover her ears when you get to the racy parts.

'The Portable Atheist' - carefully selected parts, yes, but atheist is in the title for a reason.

[namidim]

What about demon haunted world by Carl Sagan? Good skeptical basics without being an asshole.

[DaveTheReader]

If I am not mistaken, Sagan's Demon Haunted World is basically a critical thinking course that Sagan was teaching at Cornell, undergraduate level.
I have recommended the book to a number of friends who are believers but haven't closed off their minds.

[DaveTheReader]

Critical thinking primer:
Not a book, but a free 40 minute video. He does have a reading list at the end of the video. I agree with all of his choices. This can be downloaded as an iso (DVD image) or a computer playable file.
Brian Dunning has a 40 minute free video available at http://herebedragonsmovie.com/ - an Introduction to Critical Thinking.
There is a donation button on his site http://skeptoid.com/

Also, there is a thread going in General Discussion called “Here be Dragons”. Brian Dunning has weighed in on his videocast as well.

[sketchy]

Speaking of Dunning, the Skeptoid book might be good.  It's the first 50 podcasts transcribed.  They are short chapters, and he's not that polarizing, but stresses the need for skepticism.  He talks a little about religion, but most about myths and poor use of thinking.

[Grimner]

out of the groundless fear that our children will have no moral center without it

Parenting beyond Belief

Of course.
Mix of texts concerning growing up and raising children without god. Quite good. The focus is on children actually making it through childhood without an extra crutch and why they don't really need it.
Ought to be pretty thought-provoking if fundamentalists read it - which they won't. Come to think of it, I had a few wow-experiences reading it