The Gathering of Infidels: A Hundred Years of the Rationalist Press Association
Gathering of Infidels
In 1899, a small group of men under the leadership of Charles Albert Watts founded the Rationalist Press Association (RPA) in London. Its mission was, among other goals, to promote rationalism and secular education as well as to publish freethought books at affordable prices. For more than a century the RPA has served as a bastion of reason in an often-irrational world. Its Honorary Associates have included such luminaries of the 20th century as Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, J. B. S. Haldane, Julian Huxley, Somerset Maugham, Bertrand Russell, H. G. Wells, and others.
Now experienced freethought historian Bill Cooke has written the first history of the RPA, delving deeply into its archives to tell a fascinating and illuminating story. Cooke discusses the association's achievements and ideas, and profiles the key people involved in its development. At the same time, he does not shy away from its difficulties and controversies, offering a critical perspective that rationalists will certainly appreciate. He covers the historical background of the RPA's formation, the crucial role played by Charles Albert Watts, its enormous publishing successes, the vicissitudes of war and peace, and the evolution of rationalist ideas. Full bibliographies and appendices are also included.
This scholarly yet highly readable and witty history of the Rationalist Press Association will be welcomed by all who value reason as humanity's best hope for the future.
1103794006
The Gathering of Infidels: A Hundred Years of the Rationalist Press Association
Gathering of Infidels
In 1899, a small group of men under the leadership of Charles Albert Watts founded the Rationalist Press Association (RPA) in London. Its mission was, among other goals, to promote rationalism and secular education as well as to publish freethought books at affordable prices. For more than a century the RPA has served as a bastion of reason in an often-irrational world. Its Honorary Associates have included such luminaries of the 20th century as Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, J. B. S. Haldane, Julian Huxley, Somerset Maugham, Bertrand Russell, H. G. Wells, and others.
Now experienced freethought historian Bill Cooke has written the first history of the RPA, delving deeply into its archives to tell a fascinating and illuminating story. Cooke discusses the association's achievements and ideas, and profiles the key people involved in its development. At the same time, he does not shy away from its difficulties and controversies, offering a critical perspective that rationalists will certainly appreciate. He covers the historical background of the RPA's formation, the crucial role played by Charles Albert Watts, its enormous publishing successes, the vicissitudes of war and peace, and the evolution of rationalist ideas. Full bibliographies and appendices are also included.
This scholarly yet highly readable and witty history of the Rationalist Press Association will be welcomed by all who value reason as humanity's best hope for the future.
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The Gathering of Infidels: A Hundred Years of the Rationalist Press Association

The Gathering of Infidels: A Hundred Years of the Rationalist Press Association

by Bill Cooke
The Gathering of Infidels: A Hundred Years of the Rationalist Press Association

The Gathering of Infidels: A Hundred Years of the Rationalist Press Association

by Bill Cooke

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Overview

Gathering of Infidels
In 1899, a small group of men under the leadership of Charles Albert Watts founded the Rationalist Press Association (RPA) in London. Its mission was, among other goals, to promote rationalism and secular education as well as to publish freethought books at affordable prices. For more than a century the RPA has served as a bastion of reason in an often-irrational world. Its Honorary Associates have included such luminaries of the 20th century as Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, J. B. S. Haldane, Julian Huxley, Somerset Maugham, Bertrand Russell, H. G. Wells, and others.
Now experienced freethought historian Bill Cooke has written the first history of the RPA, delving deeply into its archives to tell a fascinating and illuminating story. Cooke discusses the association's achievements and ideas, and profiles the key people involved in its development. At the same time, he does not shy away from its difficulties and controversies, offering a critical perspective that rationalists will certainly appreciate. He covers the historical background of the RPA's formation, the crucial role played by Charles Albert Watts, its enormous publishing successes, the vicissitudes of war and peace, and the evolution of rationalist ideas. Full bibliographies and appendices are also included.
This scholarly yet highly readable and witty history of the Rationalist Press Association will be welcomed by all who value reason as humanity's best hope for the future.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781591021964
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date: 07/01/2004
Pages: 356
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Bill Cooke, an independent scholar, is author of A Dictionary of Atheism, Skepticism, and Humanism; The Gathering of Infidels: A Hundred Years of the Rationalist Press Association; and A Rebel to His Last Breath: Joseph McCabe and Rationalism, among other books and articles. He was also senior lecturer at the School of Visual Arts, University of Auckland at Manukau from 1996 to 2008.

Table of Contents

Foreword1
Preface and Acknowledgements3
Chapter 1The Gathering of the Infidels5
Chapter 2The Blasphemy Depot30
Chapter 3War and Change71
Chapter 4Change and War99
Chapter 5The Humanist Labyrinth133
Chapter 6A Voice in the Wilderness166
Chapter 7Rationalism, Humanism, and the Retreat from Spencer196
Chapter 8Eupraxophy in Action231
Epilogue: The Summing Up262
Appendices
1Works Published by Watts & Co since 1890265
2Honorary Associates318
3Office Holders325
4Books or Issues Featured as Supplements of the Literary Guide, 1893-1907327
5Topics and Speakers at Rationalist Press Association conferences, 1945-2001329
Endnotes334
Index352
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