Leading contemporary philosopher John Gray engages with the complex history of atheism, exploring the lives of key figures from Saint Augustine to Joseph Conrad.

Atheism and religion are commonly assumed to be opposing beliefs; however, when considered in-depth and from a historical perspective many forms of atheist thinking can be found to mimic the structure of monotheistic religions, which worship one deity.

In this book, philosopher and author John Gray examines the history of atheistic thought, distinguishing seven major strands of atheism and analyzing their success as worldviews that oppose traditional religion.

Beginning with present-day atheism, which is mainly based on Victorian ideas, Gray goes on to consider humanism, science, political ideology, misotheism (hatred of god), unsentimental atheism, and mystical atheism.

A chapter is devoted to each of these seven strains of atheist thinking.