HOW WE BELIEVE

Shermer's book about religious belief patterns is a brilliant analysis of evolutionary functions and mechanisms of faith. Despite the author's claim that he is "not trying to convert believers into nonbelievers," he lapses into simplistic refutations of both theism and atheism and often sounds like an apologist for his own brand of agnosticism and skepticism. Never-theless, his analysis of how and why we believe is compelling and eye-opening. While the author's stodgily nasal speech is annoying at first, his voice quickly grows on the listener, thanks to his confident and enthusiastic reading. S.E.S. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 00]