This is a very good proposal. It provides a clear raison d'etre for the book: to be educative rather than to advance either a pro- or anti-atheist position, and to raise the tone of debate in a rather emotive area. It also explains how this aim is to be achieved: by carefully distinguishing atheism from other positions with which it tends to be conflated. It is particularly valuable to distinguish atheism from both anti-religious and naturalist views. One attractive feature is that it covers a variety of approaches to the topic - historical, political and philosophical - though I would guess the last of these would predominate in what one might think of as the heart of the book: chapters 4 and 5. It's good that the chapters build up to what then can be a sophisticated and informed analysis of how the contemporary theist/atheist debate over atheism is conducted. the main audience will I think be more likely to be undergraduates, for which this book would make an extremely suitable background text for introductory courses in the philosophy of religion or theology - one or both of which will be offered by philosophy or theology & religious departments, too numerous to list The chapters are all appropriate, and are usefully ordered. Strongly recommend publication Recommended reading Lawrence J.

Jost, University of Cincinnati, USA. I believe that the proposal is sound in the main and would be a valuable addition to the texts now available. I should think the main audience would be undergraduates in courses on atheism itself (rather rarely taught as such but I do teach such a course and would welcome this edition) and, of course, philosophy of religion classes. I think that the book sounds suitable for beginners and I have tried to indicate a very few suggestions for improving it, viz. more on late 20th C. discussion and the problem of evil. I also think that there should be a discussion of meaning and purpose in life and why atheism has a more sophisticated approach to these questions than does traditional theism. Recommend Publication Required reading/essential purchase From my reading of other work by Oppy I would say that he is a top-notch expert in the field and his entry into the field of basic works for beginners would be very welcome.