Bestselling books from the 2010 Global Atheist Convention The Rise of Atheism — the 2010 Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne — took place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre over the weekend 12 – 14 March. The event was an extraordinary success, one of the busiest events that Readings has ever been an official bookseller for. Thousands attended and lined up after each session to meet and talk to authors including A.C. Grayling and Richard Dawkins — who sat for more than two hours signing copies of his books — The Greatest Show on Earth and the 2006 bestseller The God Delusion. Here are the top ten bestselling books as sold by Readings at the convention over the weekend.

The Greatest Show On Earth: The Evidence For Evolution

Richard Dawkins $35.00 – Trade paperback / Bantam Press

The fiery science/religion debate continues as Dawkins takes on the Creationists. 150 years ago the momentous findings in Charles Darwin’s controversial masterpiece, On the Origin of Species, shook the scientific and religious world to its core. Perhaps more astonishing, the creation-evolution debate sparked by his seminal work of 1859 continues unabated in the 21st century. Now, Richard Dawkins, world renowned evolutionary biologist and famous atheist, takes on the Creationists with a brilliant and uncompromising look at the incontrovertible evidence for Darwin’s theory of evolution. The panoply of data that proves the theory is vast, with scientific fingerprints massively numerous and varied. The logic Dawkins employs to explain it is the same throughout the book: the evidence that we see is exactly what we should expect to see if evolution had happened. He examines the facts from the point of view of domestication, from cabbages to Great Danes. Anatomy yields a raft of clues whether from the common mouse or fish, and molecules underscore the message even more convincingly. With answers to a miscellany of common questions, and detailed descriptions of what our ancestors would have looked like at various landmark dates, Dawkins leaves us with no room for doubt. The Greatest Show on Earth comes at a critical time; systematic opposition to the truth of evolution is now flourishing as never before in America, while in Britain, pockets of intelligent design are entering our schooling system at an alarming pace. Following the storm upon publication of The God Delusion, Dawkins continues the heated debate about science and religion whilst furthering the public education that he feels passionately is his responsibility. His new book is a thrilling tribute to science, the wonders of nature and his ultimate hero, Charles Darwin.

50 Voices of Disbelief: Why We Are Atheists

Russell Blackford and Udo Schuklenk $39.95 – Paperback book / Wiley Blackwell

50 Voices of Disbelief: Why We Are Atheists presents a collection of original essays drawn from an international group of prominent voices in the fields of academia, science, literature, media and politics who offer carefully considered statements of why they are atheists. Features a truly international cast of contributors, ranging from public intellectuals such as Peter Singer, Susan Blackmore, and A.C. Grayling, novelists, such as Joe Haldeman, and heavyweight philosophers of religion, including Graham Oppy and Michael Tooley. Contributions range from rigorous philosophical arguments to highly personal, even whimsical, accounts of how each of these notable thinkers have come to reject religion in their lives. Likely to have broad appeal given the current public fascination with religious issues and the reception of such books as The God Delusion and The End of Faith.

When God Speaks For Himself

Mark Tier $29.99 – Paperback book /

Have you read the Bible? From cover to cover? From Genesis to Revelation? It would seem that few of us have. Not even devout Christians, or those you’d think would be required to read the whole Bible — like a nun who, when browsing through a copy of When God Speaks for Himself burst out, horrified: “That’s not true! Those verses aren’t in the Bible!” To prove it, she opened the Bible — only to discover that she was wrong. How can this be? It turns out that what most people “know” about God, Jesus and what the Bible says is the abridged, saccharine version of the “Word of God.” No wonder, then, that most Christians are astonished to learn that, when “God speaks for himself,” he uses words you’ll never hear in church or Sunday School: Gruesome, bloodthirsty massacres ordered by God — Bible passages that will make your stomach churn; Bible passages that say the exact opposite of another Bible passage, sometimes in two consecutive verses! Bible passages that contradict what you “know”: Jesus was born in Bethlehem — wasn’t he? (Page 35). And he gave his Sermon on the Mount on the mount, right? (Page 13). And of course David killed Goliath with a slingshot (didn’t he? — see page 40); Obvious inconsistencies about the Virgin Birth, Original Sin, and other central tenets of Christianity — to which the churches’ only possible answer is: “have faith”; Simple questions about such Bible favourites as the Creation, the Flood and Noah’s Ark that make Cinderella and The Three Little Pigs seem far more realistic; Plus: extracts from official church documents, some kept hidden for centuries, including the actual words of the Inquisition’s reasoning and verdict on Galileo; a collection of pointed and often hilarious quotes and comments from skeptics and believers from all over the world...and much more. In sum, in When God Speaks for Himself you’ll find the answers to dozens of questions you simply would not have been allowed to ask in church or Sunday School.

Thinking Of Answers

A.C. Grayling $35.00 – Hardcover book / Bloomsbury

Thought-provoking short essays that show us how to discover our own answers to life’s challenges. A.C. Grayling is a thinker who believes that philosophy is a natural part of everyday life. Here, in his most stimulating and enjoyable collection of essays to date, he tackles many of the most fundamental problems facing anyone who wishes to lead a considered life. In fact, these essays have arisen mainly in response to questions posed by readers and editors of a number of publications in which his most recent pieces have appeared: The Times, Prospect; New Scientist; New Statesman and the Guardian. Does being happy make us good? And does being good make us happy? Can ethics be derived from evolution by natural selection? If both sides in a conflict can passionately believe that theirs is the just cause, does this mean that the idea of justice is empty? If beauty existed only in the eye of the beholder, would that make it an unimportant quality? Are human beings especially prone to self deception? What is the meaning of life? As in his previous books of popular philosophy, rather than presenting a set of categorical answers Grayling offers, instead, suggestions for how to think about every aspect of a question and then arrive at one’s own conclusions. As a result Thinking of Answers is both an enjoyable and inspirational collection.

The God Delusion

Richard Dawkins $27.95 – Paperback book / Black Swan

The God Delusion caused a sensation when it was published in 2006. Within weeks it became the most hotly debated topic, with Dawkins himself branded as either saint or sinner for presenting his hard-hitting, impassioned rebuttal of religion of all types. His argument could hardly be more topical. While Europe is becoming increasingly secularized, the rise of religious fundamentalism, whether in the Middle East or Middle America, is dramatically and dangerously dividing opinion around the world. In America, and elsewhere, a vigorous dispute between ‘intelligent design’ and Darwinism is seriously undermining and restricting the teaching of science. In many countries religious dogma from medieval times still serves to abuse basic human rights such as women’s and gay rights. And all from a belief in a God whose existence lacks evidence of any kind. Dawkins attacks God in all his forms. 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. The God Delusion is a brilliantly argued, fascinating polemic that will be required reading for anyone interested in this most emotional and important subject.

The Life You Can Save: Acting Now To End World Poverty

Peter Singer $26.95 – Paperback book / Text Publishing

Most of us are absolutely certain that we wouldn’t hesitate to save a drowning child, and that we would do it at considerable cost to ourselves. Yet while thousands of children die each day, we spend money on things we take for granted, and would hardly miss if they were not there. Is that wrong? If so, how far does our obligation to the poor go? According to the World Bank 1.4 billion people live on less than US$1.25 per day. This entails a vast amount of suffering and avoidable loss of life. The Life You Can Save offers a solution to world poverty. With his trademark clarity, logic and intellectual flair Peter Singer shows us not only that this solution is possible, but also that we have a moral obligation to be part of it. All author royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to Oxfam. Five per cent of Text Publishing’s revenue from this book will be donated to Hamlin Fistula Relief & Aid Fund.

God is NOT Great: How Religion Poisons Everything

Christopher Hitchens $26.95 – Paperback book / Allen & Unwin / ISBN: 9781741755725

This is easily the most impressive of the present crop of atheistic and anti-theistic books: clever, broad, witty and brilliantly argued.’ Sydney Morning Herald. Christopher Hitchens has been hailed as ‘one of the most brilliant journalists of our time’ (UK Observer). Here he makes the ultimate case against organised religion. In God is Not Great, Hitchens tweezes through the major religious texts with forensic shrewdness. With chapters entitled Religion Kills’, and Is Religion Child Abuse?’, he fearlessly argues for a secular life based on science and reason, tarring religion as man-made “wish-thinking”. He documents the ways in which religion is a cause of dangerous sexual repression and a distortion of our origins in the cosmos; in Hitchens vision, hell is replaced by the Hubble telescope’s view of the universe, and Moses and the burning bush give way to the double helix. Principally, Hitchens argues that the concept of an omniscient God has profoundly damaged humanity, and proposes that the world might be a great deal better off without ‘Him’. ‘If you are a religious apologist invited to debate with Christopher Hitchens, decline. – Richard Dawkins.

Ideas That Matter: Key Concepts For The 21st Century

A.C. Grayling $55.00 – Hardcover book / Hachette

Ideas are the cogs that drive history, and understanding them is half way to being aboard that powerful juggernaut rather than under its wheels.’ This is a book that celebrates the power of ideas: thought can and does, change the world. And, in turn, ideas evolve. Fundamentalism, environmentalism and bioethics are defining our future just as Marxism, feminism or existentialism have influenced our present. So what do we need to know as we move into the 21st century? More than a simple reference work, this is A.C. Grayling’s personal and heartfelt guide to the ideas, past and present, that shape our world. Covering religion, philosophy, scientific theory and political movements, each alphabetically ordered entry illuminates, elucidates and provokes.

The Book Of Atheist Spirituality

Andre Comte-Sponville $24.95 – Paperback book / Bantam Press

Can we do without religion? Can we have ethics without God? Is there such a thing as ‘atheist spirituality’? In this powerful book, the internationally bestselling author Andre Comte-Sponville answers questions like these through a philosophical exploration of atheism — and he comes to some startling conclusions. According to Comte-Sponville, we have allowed the concept of spirituality to become intertwined with religion and thus have lost touch with the nature of a true spiritual existence. In order to change this, however, we need not reject the ancient traditions and values that are part of our heritage; rather, we must rethink our relationship to these values and ask ourselves whether their significance comes from the existence of a higher power or simply from the human need to connect to one another and the universe. Comte-Sponville offers rigorous, reasoned arguments that take both the Eastern and Western philosophical traditions into account. Through his clear, concise, and often humorous prose, he offers a convincing treatise on a new form of spiritual life.

Free To A Good Home Catherine Deveny

$24.95 – Paperback book / Black Inc

Despite all the big talk and fancy press releases, let’s face it, Swine Flu, you’re more Babe than razorback. Twenty dead? Come on! More die choking on ham sandwiches every week. Sure, I won’t be pashing any pigs for a while, but here’s a tip from an old media hack: under-promise and over-deliver.’ Swine Flu. Financial meltdown. It’s been a bad year for pigs and pigs in suits. The cure? A good stiff dose of Catherine Deveny, who each week in the Age puts everything in perspective with outrageous wit and disarming honesty. Free to a Good Home includes her thoughts on gifted children and breakfast television, sexy billboards and the bill of rights. She reflects on her youngest child’s first day at school, and on how to be happy in hard times. Fearlessly funny and always provocative, Deveny is the perfect antidote to the modern world’s ills.

Best Seller Number 11 would surely have gone to Dan Barker’s Godless: How An Evangelical Preacher Became One Of America’s Leading Atheists but it was not available for Readings to sell at the Convention. If you would like to purchase a copy, contact Readings and they will order it in.

Godless: How An Evangelical Preacher Became One Of America’s Leading Atheists

Dan Barker $23.95 – Paperback book / Ulysses / ISBN:9781569756775

Conversions on the road to Damascus are for those who hear voices and fall prey to delusions and who would be better off seeking professional help. Much more valuable in the human story are the reflections of intelligent and ethical people who listen to the voice of reason and who allow it to vanquish bigotry and superstition. This book is a classic example of the latter. – Christopher Hitchens, author of God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything.