Publishers Weekly
The question of the existence of God has captured the imaginations of pundits and pedants around the world. On one side are the theists, the believers. On the other side are the atheists, the ardent unbelievers. Bugliosi finds himself in a third category -- the agnostic, one who admits that he doesn't know if God exists, and may even insist that it isn't possible to know if there is a God. The author is a well-known attorney as well as a writer, whose best-known book, Helter Skelter, documented the horrific Charles Manson murders. He turns his attention here to a broad and often biting study of the proponents, and opponents, of Godism. He addresses some of the oldest questions in Christendom -- the problem of evil, the sometimes contradictory accounts of sacred events, etc. -- and sees no inevitability of a God in any of the answers proposed by even the best scholars. He ends his thoughts with a simple "God should only be a question." Sometimes pedantic but always eloquent, this is a fascinating read. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
"...Bugliosi's arguments...are well reasoned, clearly presented, and provide a good introductory survey of the theist-versus-atheist-versus-agnostic debate." - Booklist
"...always eloquent...fascinating..." - Publishers Weekly
"...a brilliant book by a true iconoclast...as refreshing as it is honest." - Huffington Post
"...Passionate... a darn good read, for believers and non-believers alike." - Las Vegas Review-Journal
"...the most powerful indictment ever offered of God, organized religion, theism, and atheism...Destined to be a classic, Bugliosi's Divinity of Doubt sets a new course amid the explosion of bestselling books on atheism and theism." - FSB Media
"...an excellent book...very highly recommend..." - BlogCritics.org
Library Journal
Distinguished attorney and true crime author Bugliosi (Helter Skelter; Outrage: The Five Reasons Why O.J. Simpson Got Away with Murder) here takes on the subject of God's existence, making the case for agnosticism. Anyone expecting a gentle and centrist approach may be surprised by the ruthlessness of Bugliosi's scathing attack on both theism and atheism (although he focuses most of his attention on Christianity). Although the book makes quite a number of arguments (e.g., since death is so awful, how can a kind God exist?), they are unfortunately muted by a frequently superficial and sometimes inaccurate understanding of his opponents' views on matters from natural selection to resurrection, all of which significantly dilutes the potency of what could have been a stronger book if better researched. Given the author's background as a seasoned and renowned prosecutor, this major shortcoming is surprising. VERDICT Considering that this book is a systematic attack on the belief or unbelief systems of so many, his readership is unclear. One can only hope for a revised edition that unearths any gems latent within this flawed manuscript.—Brian T. Sullivan, Alfred Univ. Lib., NY
NOVEMBER 2011 - AudioFile
The author, who made his name prosecuting Charles Manson in the 1970s, now tackles the existence of God. This book will enrage some believers and make some nonbelievers laugh, but it’s an entertaining, engaging work that will keep listeners on their intellectual toes. Narrator Mel Foster has a lively, deep voice that mirrors the author’s tone almost exactly. When Bugliosi is sarcastic or is exasperated with an uneven argument, there is Foster, shading his voice so it rises at the end of a sentence or stops cold so listeners can get the joke. Foster does attempt some characterizations—some successful and some not—but he maintains listener attention through the sheer force of his energy and passion. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine
