The Atheist’s Guide To Christmas (AKA The Atheist Book Campaign)
4.09.09 | Ariane |
This is the cover of “The Atheist’s Guide To Christmas”, Britain’s first atheist charity book initiative, which I’ve been editing on a voluntary basis for the last six months. The full advance and all royalties from the book are going to the UK HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust.
The book features contributions from 42 of the UK’s most entertaining atheist scientists, comedians, philosophers, journalists and writers, including:
Richard Dawkins
Derren Brown
Charlie Brooker
David Baddiel
Ben Goldacre
Josie Long
Richard Herring
Simon Singh
Brian Cox
Jenny Colgan
AC Grayling
Simon Le Bon
Claire Rayner
Robin Ince
Jon Holmes
Zoe Margolis
Phil Plait
Mitch Benn
Lucy Porter
Adam Rutherford
… and many, many more, all of whom have kindly given their time, thought and talent for free. The book has six sections: Stories, Arts, Science, Philosophy, How To and Events. It’s funny, thoughtful and hopefully quite beautiful in places, and also contains quotes from great atheists throughout history.
It is published on October 1 and available to pre-order now. It would be brilliant if we could see it enter the Top Ten Bestsellers in its first week of release, raising thousands for THT.
Please pre-order it now:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Atheists-Guide-Christmas-Ariane-Sherine/dp/0007322615/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252064471&sr=8-1
Thank you!
September 5th, 2009 at 21:04
Ordered! Looking forward to reading it.
September 6th, 2009 at 8:11
I wish you the very best of luck with this worthy project!
September 6th, 2009 at 9:37
Many thanks, both of you!
September 8th, 2009 at 22:47
…and a Goddess
Like bacteria on our bodies. We are the bacterias of the Earth. Hence Sunday God is the Sun and Goddes is the Earth
http://www.4444boxes.com
September 9th, 2009 at 8:07
Well, there’s an answer to all those people who objected to none of the abc donations going to charity.
Maybe I’ll put one in the local bookcrossing box…
September 10th, 2009 at 16:33
Another one for the list!
Bishop dismisses Pullman’s book on Jesus
Will Heaven |Catholic Herald
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/articles/a0000635.shtml
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September 10th, 2009 at 19:19
Bonjour from France.
Ordered!
Keep up the good work!
September 10th, 2009 at 23:44
Would love to see a Kindle version in the US!
September 11th, 2009 at 20:33
“The book features contributions from 42 of the UK’s most entertaining atheist scientists, comedians, philosophers, journalists and writers…”
Phil Plait? He’s certainly entertaining, and a scientist, and he’s coming to Britain in October for TAM London, but “UK”?
But I will buy it, never fear…
September 13th, 2009 at 17:49
Thank you to all of you. Here’s a photo of the real thing:
http://twitpic.com/hf4ur
PaulJ: you’re right about Phil Plait. He’s one of five international contributors in the book – but 37 are from the UK, so it felt like a bit of a stretch to say “in the world”! But yes, you are absolutely right.
Hope you all enjoy the book. Under three weeks to go!
September 19th, 2009 at 15:39
The Atheist Guide to Christmas
Little Atoms Radio Show
7:00 – 7:30pm BST
25th September 2009
Neil and Padraig are joined by old friends
Ariane Sherine, Natalie Haynes and Josie Long
in a special show marking the publication of
The Atheist Guide to Christmas.
Little Atoms is a talk show about ideas.
Produced and presented by Neil Denny and
Padraig Reidy, each show features a guest
from the worlds of science, journalism,
politics, academia, human rights or
the arts in conversation.
Resonance 104.4 FM central London UK
Resonance Listen on-line
http://resonancefm.com/listen
Little Atoms Radio Show
http://www.littleatoms.com/atheistchristmas.htm
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September 19th, 2009 at 21:32
“None of the ABC donations went to charity”? Well it was run on behalf of the British Humanist Association, which IS a charity, and some donors went on to give exlicitly to their other causes at “The Next Stop”. Glad about this new “Atheist Book Campaign” hope it goes well
September 20th, 2009 at 0:42
ABC updated [SUPPORT] page – Share!
email ‘SUPPORT’ to a friend
http://www.atheistbus.org.uk/support/
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September 23rd, 2009 at 12:28
The Atheist Book Campaign: Part 1
And so, on every day over the next week, I’m
going to post up the story of how it came about…
http://arianesherine.blogspot.com/2009/09/atheist-book-campaign-part-1.html
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September 24th, 2009 at 23:44
If anyone’s not noticed, Ariane has put some ideas for helping in the Support section: http://www.atheistbus.org.uk/support/
September 25th, 2009 at 20:23
Great news. Can’t wait to buy it/read it.
September 25th, 2009 at 22:50
It’s at no.16 on the amazon.co.uk books chart today!!!! the only way is up!!!!
September 26th, 2009 at 5:18
If anyone's not noticed, Ariane bas put some ideas for helping in the Support section: http://www.atheistbus.org.uk/support/;
September 27th, 2009 at 14:48
Buggered text followed by a buggered link of a very short message
repeated from comments #13 and #15 – why? Is it too much trouble
to get a few words down without error? Must the web continue with
such asinine and inconsiderate behaviour without complaint?
I’m sure you wouldn’t want your slapdashery to reflect on the
movement you are so eager to promote – so get it right!
_____
September 27th, 2009 at 19:23
Atheists examine Christmas
from angel-free angle
Riazat Butt |The Guardian
Due for publication this Friday, the book is already
ranked at number 40 in the chart compiled by online
retailer Amazon and could be a surprise bestseller.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/27/atheist-christmas-book
_____
September 28th, 2009 at 15:23
SIMON LE BON!! *SWOON*
September 29th, 2009 at 7:30
I’m disappointed, I ordered my copy way back in August, dispatch due 30th Sept, a friend places his order a few days ago and tells me it has been dispatched already.
I can notch up 3 confirmed orders as a result of spreading the word, and maybe a few more unconfirmed.
I still eagerly await my copy though.
September 29th, 2009 at 8:42
Hang on in there Pete! I ordered my copy way back then and it arrived yesterday!
Stunning book, and I’ve left various comments about it on different sites, but a special mention must go to Graham Nunn’s contribution. The ‘designer’ of the Atheist Bus Campaign has written a very witty, self-deprecating piece about his role in the campaign, and it’s quality is on a par with those by Dawkins, Brown and Brooker.
Also, look out for excellent contributions by Ed Byrne, Catie Wilkins and Christina Martin, not forgetting Ms Sherine’s very short but very funny intro.
I’m taking my time and savouring this book!
September 29th, 2009 at 8:51
I’ll be in London when my book is delivered, I’m going to support a couple of plinthers, staying at Holland Park YHA. I have a vacant day on 5th Oct if anyone wants to meet up, or even the morning of 6th Oct, will be in TS on 30th Sept and 7th Oct.
I just wish I could have had my book to take with me, it would have filled in a few quiet moments.
September 29th, 2009 at 12:45
Ordering mine tomorrow.
international blasphemy day and payday all on the same day. It has to be a great excuse!
September 29th, 2009 at 14:43
Atheism’s open-door policy
Ariane Sherine |The Guardian
Andrew Brown is wrong: atheism isn’t about class.
Anyone can join our club if they don’t believe in God.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/sep/29/atheist-guide-christmas-religion
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September 30th, 2009 at 23:16
Now you can do Christmas
even if you don’t do God
Natalie Haynes |The Times
Atheists are shaking off their joyless image and
trying to put forward a positive face. But most
of all they just want to have fun.
http://tinyurl.com/ycw45zo
_____
October 1st, 2009 at 15:04
For anyone in Canada, the book hasn’t yet been released, but you can pre-order it now):
http://www.amazon.ca/Atheists-Guide-Christmas-Ariane-Sherine/dp/0007322615/
Cheers,
Ariane
PS So sorry you haven’t received your copy Pete – Amazon have been a bit erratic. Many thanks for ordering, and I hope you receive it soon.
October 1st, 2009 at 19:01
[...] and celebrate Christmas. And for proof, you can read the 42 essays comprising the book The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas, edited by Ariane Sherine (Amazon UK and Amazon [...]
October 1st, 2009 at 19:51
Hey,
Random question from a Canadian: is there a reason I should order it from amazon.ca rather than chapters (the largest CDN bricks and morter retailer)? I usually just wander into chapters, but I’ll order from amazon.ca if there’s a good reason to.
thanks!
October 2nd, 2009 at 7:35
Atheism’s rebirth – just
in time for Christmas
Delia LLoyd |Politics Daily
\\First, there were the summer camps. Then came the
de-baptisms. Next up? A best-selling book entitled
“The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas.” Is it just me,
or does atheism seem to be enjoying a renaissance?//
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/10/01/atheisms-rebirth-just-in-time-for-christmas/
_____
October 2nd, 2009 at 7:55
The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas
Phil Plait |Bad Astronomy
Discover Magazine
http://tinyurl.com/ybc68qx
_____
October 2nd, 2009 at 19:59
Will there be more stock for Amazon? They seem to no longer have it at least in the US and I’d like to buy it.
October 3rd, 2009 at 0:01
[...] and celebrate Christmas. And for proof, you can read the 42 essays comprising the book The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas, edited by Ariane Sherine (Amazon UK and Amazon [...]
October 3rd, 2009 at 2:11
[...] and celebrate Christmas. And for proof, you can read the 42 essays comprising the book The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas, edited by Ariane Sherine (Amazon UK and Amazon [...]
October 6th, 2009 at 8:23
@Jay: Feel free to order it from Chapters. Hope you enjoy it!
@Steve: Really sorry but we have no say re. stock at Amazon US. You could buy it from Amazon UK but I know the postage is extra. Many thanks for your enthusiasm though, and hopefully Amazon US will get some stock in soon.
October 8th, 2009 at 23:52
TAM London in review
Phil Plait |Bad Astronomy
Discover Magazine
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/10/08/tam-london-in-review/
_____
October 9th, 2009 at 0:00
Thought for the Day: There may or may
not be a God |Riazat Butt |The Guardian
Humanists square off with clerics in public debate
over whether Radio 4’s ‘God slot’ should be opened
up to non-religious voices.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/08/thought-for-the-day-humanist
_____
October 9th, 2009 at 14:46
Atheists make apes of themselves in
BBC debate |Jonathan Wynne-Jones
Daily Telegraph
http://tinyurl.com/yk8ozkl
_____
October 10th, 2009 at 3:23
[...] and celebrate Christmas. And for proof, you can read the 42 essays comprising the book The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas, edited by Ariane [...]
October 12th, 2009 at 16:08
Righteous Indignation is the podcast that
aims to critically examine extraordinary
claims and the people who surround them.
Episode 19 – Ariane Sherine 37:00 / 01:01:45
Righteous Indignation
http://parafort.com/ri/?p=335
_____
October 12th, 2009 at 18:18
Another one for the list!
50 Voices of Disbelief
- officially published in
the UK and most other places.
Metamagician and the Hellfire Club
http://metamagician3000.blogspot.com/2009/10/50-voices-of-disbelief-is-published.html
_____
October 17th, 2009 at 20:11
Another one for the list!
Robert Crumb set to publish ’scandalous’
Bible satire |Alison Flood |The Guardian
Cartoonist Crumb’s vision of the first book of the Bible said
to be a ‘complex, even subversive narrative that calls for a
re-examination of its role in our culture’.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/mar/31/robert-crumb-book-genesis
_____
October 18th, 2009 at 13:55
Biblical sex row over explicit
illustrated Book of Genesis
Ben Leach |Daily Telegraph
A sexually explicit illustrated Book of Genesis by
controversial artist Robert Crumb, which features
Bible characters having intercourse, has been
condemned by religious groups.
http://tinyurl.com/yfhf9q5
_____
October 19th, 2009 at 21:28
TAM London video 2: Ariane Sherine
Phil Plait |Bad Astronomy
Discover Magazine
http://tinyurl.com/yku9d96
_____
October 22nd, 2009 at 15:21
Happy Atheist Bus Campaign Anniversary
Hemant Mehta |Friendly Atheist
http://friendlyatheist.com/2009/10/22/happy-atheist-bus-campaign-anniversary-2/
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October 23rd, 2009 at 16:53
Atheist’s Guide to Christmas
Kindle Edition |Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Atheist-s-Guide-to-Christmas-The/dp/B002TU1Q5M/
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October 27th, 2009 at 16:47
Another one for the list!
Good Without God: The Ethics of Atheism
Becky Garrison |Religion Dispatches
\\It’s like a kinder, gentler Atheist Bus campaign//
- how so unlike that snarling brawler Sherine![ATj]
http://tinyurl.com/yjqpyfd
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November 4th, 2009 at 15:36
Richard Dawkins, Derren Brown,
A.C. Grayling, and David Baddiel
The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas
Tuesday 17 November 2009 – 6.30pm
Foyles – forthcoming author signings & events
http://www.foyles.co.uk/events.asp?#rdawkins
_____
November 5th, 2009 at 4:01
Richard Dawkins on the evolution debate
Lori Kozlowski |Los Angeles Times
Author of The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution
shares his passion for spreading an understanding of scientific
processes with the layperson.
http://tinyurl.com/y8opuk8
_____
November 5th, 2009 at 20:23
Will the book be realised in Greek Language ?
November 8th, 2009 at 17:20
Not books – not buses
Hitchens and Fry v the Catholic Church
The Freethinker
http://freethinker.co.uk/2009/11/08/hitchens-and-fry-v-the-catholic-church/
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November 9th, 2009 at 18:16
It looks like you have a great site here. I will be checking back often. Once again, Great website, and great writing. God Bless, Pastor Dan
November 11th, 2009 at 19:40
Atheist Bus Ads and Billboards: A Compilation
Hemant Mehta |Friendly Atheist
http://friendlyatheist.com/2009/11/11/atheist-bus-ads-and-billboards-a-compilation/
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November 17th, 2009 at 14:28
Indie Book of the Month 1:
The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas
Katy Whitehead |5th Estate
\\…don’t forget to tune in over the next week,
as I’ll be posting up extracts from the book,
including audio bloopers and a funny story by
supreme atheist himself, Richard Dawkins//
http://tinyurl.com/yzvxg82
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November 18th, 2009 at 4:04
The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas
7:45pm, Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Skeptics in the Pub |Aston University
Ariane Sherine will tell us the story
of the Atheist Bus Campaign, and how
she came to be editor of this year’s
number 1 alternative seasonal gift.
Bring or buy a copy – Ariane will
sign it for you after the event.
http://birmingham.skepticsinthepub.org/Event.aspx/183/The-Atheists-Guide-to-Christmas
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November 22nd, 2009 at 14:59
[...] angels and babies with magical powers will be glad to know that there is a book out there for you: The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas. If, for whatever reason, you want to add a little biblical spice to your festivities, I recommend [...]
November 22nd, 2009 at 20:37
The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas
iTunes audio downloads
and contributor links
Bookarmy
http://www.atheistchristmas.org/
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November 25th, 2009 at 12:55
[...] 40-odd non-believers to give their take on most people’s favourite time of year, and the resulting tome has had excellent [...]
December 25th, 2009 at 2:48
I went to Amazon (US) to buy the book, and it is available there, but only through off-site sellers. That’s not really a problem, but it did make me curious as to why that’s the case. Isn’t Amazon planning to carry the book? Or is it a problem with their not getting enough stock?
January 4th, 2010 at 2:11
Great idea but frustratingly not available in Australia.
May be because that our PM is Anglican and the leader of the opposition is a reactionary Catholic.