The Four Horsemen
The Conversation That Sparked an Atheist Revolution
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About this listen
In 2007, Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett filmed a landmark discussion about modern atheism. The video went viral. Now in audiobook for the first time, the transcript of their conversation is illuminated by new essays from three of the original participants and an introduction by Stephen Fry.
At the dawn of the new atheist movement, the thinkers who became known as “the four horsemen”, the heralds of religion's unraveling - Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett - sat down together over cocktails. What followed was a rigorous, pathbreaking, and enthralling exchange that has been viewed millions of times since it was first posted on YouTube. This is intellectual inquiry at its best: exhilarating, funny, and unpredictable, sincere and probing, reminding us just how varied and colorful the threads of modern atheism are.
Here is the transcript of that conversation, in audiobook for the first time, augmented by material from the living participants: Dawkins, Harris, and Dennett. These new essays, introduced by Stephen Fry, mark the evolution of their thinking and highlight particularly resonant aspects of this epic exchange. Each man contends with the most fundamental questions of human existence while challenging the others to articulate their own stance on God and religion, cultural criticism, spirituality, debate with people of faith, and the components of a truly ethical life.
Read by Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Daniel C. Dennett, Christopher Hitchens, and Stephen Fry.
Advance praise for The Four Horsemen:
“The full, electrifying transcript of the one and only conversation between the quartet of luminaries dubbed the ‘four horsemen’ of the New Atheism, which took place in Washington, D.C., in 2007. Among the vast range of ideas and questions they discuss: Is it ever possible to win a war of ideas? Is spirituality the preserve of the religious? And, are there any truths you would rather not know?” (The Bookseller, UK)
“If thinking were a sport, these four would be national superstars - and reading The Four Horsemen feels like having a front-row seat at the all-star game. This is more than a book about atheism and religion - it’s a lesson in how to use our intellect to cut through the haze of delusion and misconception inherent in any human society.” (Tim Urban, writer of Wait but Why?)
©2019 Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett (P)2019 Random House AudioYou may also enjoy...
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What the critics say
“If thinking were a sport, these four would be national superstars - and reading The Four Horsemen feels like having a front-row seat at the all-star game. This is more than a book about atheism and religion - it’s a lesson in how to use our intellect to cut through the haze of delusion and misconception inherent in any human society.” (Tim Urban, writer of Wait But Why?)
“We are slowly losing the hard-won right, gained by brave heroes of the enlightenment such as Voltaire and Hume, to be free to criticize religion without persecution and prosecution; the crime of blasphemy is creeping back. The words of Hitchens, Dawkins, Harris, and Dennett are needed more than ever. These are the heirs to Voltaire.” (Matt Ridley, author of The Evolution of Everything)
“These four are the kinds of thinkers we don’t get enough of anymore: unapologetic, uncompromising, and deeply generous with one another as well as with anyone who happens to be listening in. You needn’t be an atheist or a horseman to relish every word of this delightful book. You just need to be hungry for genuine intellectual inquiry and open debate. And, let’s face it, you’re probably starving.” (Meghan Daum, author of The Unspeakable)
What listeners say about The Four Horsemen
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Devin
- 2019-10-11
A much needed talk.
This talk has stood the test of time as one of, if not the most important conversations on the subject of religion ever recorded. With 4 of our best suited minds bouncing ideas and opinions of one another in an attempt to understand the issues of religion that have lead so many of us to cause more harm than good.
Stephen Fry's introduction is all I think it will take to hook any person looking for another perspective on their religious worldview to give this book a chance.
This book without question is worth a listen by any and all who can spare the time to do so.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Chuong Nguyen
- 2021-05-30
Important Conversation!
Four intellectual titans in one room. Sparks fly and rationality rules. Happy to be a fly on the wall for this one!
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- Barbara M.
- 2023-01-07
Wonderful, thoughtful, educational…but mostly INTERESTING
Love the way these men think and articulate their ideas. Mind expanding…moving and sooo interesting !
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- Vaibhav Bhan
- 2020-12-06
thought and ideas related to beliefs
an excellent discussion to introduce me to the movement and thinking . however, at one point scholars discuss faith in light of religion which I think is way more fundamental than religion. faith is an emotion, which drives a range of motivations and actions both great and destructive. All the scholars share a faith as well, faith in their belief of irrellevance of ritualistic and dogmatic religious leanings. I look forward to reading their books.
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- Stacy
- 2023-07-06
It’s been a while since I’ve watched this, it’s nice to hear Hitchens again
Two hours is such an insufficient amount of time to listen to four brilliant humans.
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- Amazon Customer
- 2023-02-03
Great discussion!
Always a big fan of the these gentlemen! Spot on with everything that was said. RIP Christopher Hitchens.
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- James Cooper
- 2019-06-22
Just watch it on YouTube.
Excellent conversation to eavesdrop on but best enjoyed for free on YouTube. Save your credit.
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6 people found this helpful
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- Jordan Ruzek
- 2022-12-09
A much needed conversation
As it did when it when the conversation first was release, it allowed people to find a free space in their thoughts and allowed for the furthering of critical thinking
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