‘Insightful, conversational, intelligent, enlightening, intimate, and just plain eye-opening. Shaha opens his life, his heart, and his mind to us in a compelling journey towards unbelief.’
Leslie Cannold, author of The Book of Rachael
‘Alom’s circumstances will be shared by many young people from Muslim backgrounds … His personal account of his own experiences will be an indispensable source of comfort for them and a movingly written insight for any reader.’
Andrew Copson, director of the British Humanist Association
‘Alom Shaha has shrugged off the shackles of poverty, racism and, most of all, religious supersitition to begin to fulfill his potential as a human being. In this wise, compassionate, honest and often heartbreaking book, he tells of his remarkable journey … It took a lot of guts to ‘come out’ as a nonbeliever, but Shaha did it to show others who harbour doubts about their faith that they are not alone. An important and courageous book.’
Marcus Chown, author and broadcaster
‘Moving, heartwarming, and thoughtful. Alom’s honest journey of why and how he has freed himself from religion will surely empower and inspire.’
Maryam Namazie, human rights activist
‘A very special book.’
Stephen Fry
‘An honest and often very moving story about valuing truth over hope, even in the face of grief.’
Tim Minchin, musician and comedian
‘A book that destroys the cliche of the atheist as joyless rationalist and shows the humanity, love, and concern that often lies behind godless thinking.’
Robin Ince, writer and comedian
‘Like an intelligent, frank conversation with a vibrant teacher ... Shaha’s talent for raw, lucid narrative makes this an uncommonly moving contribution to debate.’
Sydney Morning Herald
‘[A] moving memoir of enlightenment.’
The Age
‘If the style is a guide to the man, he is gentle and persuasive — the type of teacher you would have loved to have had educate you.’
Nick Cohen, The Observer
‘Shaha’s rational exploration of the corrosive power of religious indoctrination is refreshingly down to earth, heartfelt, and deeply moving. An inspiring and brave book that speaks for thousands who dare not admit their atheism.’
Samira Ahmed, journalist and broadcaster
‘This is all very annoying. While most of us struggle to put two coherent sentences together, Alom Shaha seems to have knocked out this beautifully written and important book at the same time as teaching physics and making films. Atheists and religious people alike should read this to see that the path to enlightenment is not always easy, especially if you come from a culture in which being faithless is derided. But more importantly, young people who are working out their own path should read it to see that you can be free to think for yourself.’
Adam Rutherford, science broadcaster
‘Frisbee your skullcap, grill up a bacon sandwich, and enjoy The Young Atheist’s Handbook.’
John Safran, documentary-maker and broadcaster
‘Shaha writes with a highly-engaging first person narrative that is crisp and highly readable.’
Greg Jameson, Entertainment Focus
‘The Young Atheist’s Handbook [is] an inspiring read for anyone. It is one of very few atheist books I’d feel comfortable recommending to a wide audience of believers and non-believers alike.’
Religious News Service
‘[A]n honest telling of one man’s experience that everyone should read, no matter their theological stripe.’
Thinking Christian
‘This book will make you think and it’s hard to give a greater compliment than that.’
RE Today
‘Those who want clear arguments about the impossibility of belief, as well as those who enjoy a well told and illuminating memoir, will all be pleased with this book.’
The Newton Review of Books
