Synopses & Reviews
In 1964,
Life magazine called Madalyn Murray OHair “the most hated woman in America.” Another critic described her as “rude, impertinent, blasphemous, a destroyer not only of beliefs but of esteemed values.”
In this first full-length biography, Bryan F. Le Beau offers a penetrating assessment of OHairs beliefs and actions and a probing discussion of how she came to represent both what Americans hated in their enemies and feared in themselves. Born in 1919, OHair was a divorced mother of two children born out of wedlock. She launched a crusade against God, often using foul language as she became adept at shocking people and making effective use of the media in delivering her message. She first gained notoriety as one of the primary litigants in the 1963 case Murray v. Curlett which led the Supreme Court to ban school prayer. The decision stunned a nation engaged in fighting “godless Communism” and made OHair Americas most famous—and most despised—atheist.
OHair led a colorful life, facing assault charges and extradition from Mexico, as well as the defection of her son William, who as an adult denounced her. She later served as Hustler publisher Larry Flynts chief speech writer in his bid for President of the United States.
Drawing on original research, OHairs diaries, and interviews, Le Beau traces her development from a child of the Depression to the dictatorial, abrasive woman who founded the American Atheists, wrote books denouncing religion, and challenged the words “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, “In God We Trust” on American currency, the tax exempt status of religious organizations, and other activities she saw as violating the separation of church and state.
OHair remained a spokesperson for atheism until 1995, when she and her son and granddaughter vanished. It was later discovered that they were murdered by OHairs former office manager and an accomplice.
Fast-paced, engagingly written, and sharply relevant to ongoing debates about school prayer and other religious issues, The Atheist tells the colorful life-story of a woman who challenged Americas most deeply held beliefs.
Review
“Clear-eyed and judicious.”
“The Atheist belongs on the short shelf of books on American atheism, church-state relations, and school prayer.”
“The Atheist is especially instructive today as issues of the separation of church and state continue to reverberate throughout our culture . . . well documented.”
“Le Beau offers an informative and melancholy portrait of self-promotion and folly.”
“Le Beau’s biography is the longer and better researched of two recently published lives of Murray.”
Review
“Clear-eyed and judicious.”
-The Women's Review of Books,
Review
“The Atheist belongs on the short shelf of books on American atheism, church-state relations, and school prayer.”
-The Journal of American History,
Review
“The Atheist is especially instructive today as issues of the separation of church and state continue to reverberate throughout our culture . . . well documented.”
-BOOK LOOK,
Review
“Le Beau offers an informative and melancholy portrait of self-promotion and folly.”
-American Historical Review,
Review
“Le Beaus biography is the longer and better researched of two recently published lives of Murray.”
-The New Republic,
Review
“McCormack's painstaking selection does justice to the panoply of Irish poets [and] does indeed reflect a national history, messy and complex, strident and joyful in the most tragic of circumstances.”-Kirkus Reviews,
Review
“Dr. McCormack's anthology is must reading for anyone who delights in the imaginative mind of the poet.”-Council on National Literatures,
Synopsis
Clear-eyed and judicious. -The Women's Review of Books The Atheist belongs on the short shelf of books on American atheism, church-state relations, and school prayer.-The Journal of American History The Atheist is especially instructive today as issues of the separation of chruch and state continue to reverberate throughout our culture...well documented.-BOOK LOOK Le Beau offers an informative and melancholy portrait of self-promotion and folly.-American Historical Review Le Beau's biography is the longer and better researched of two recently published lives of Murray. -The New Republic O'Hair's story is especially instructive today as issues of the separation of chruch and state continue to reverberate throughout our culture. -Crosswinds Weekly Le Beau presents a well-rounded and thoughtful treatment of O'Hair's life and times, and his knowledge and research are evident throughout. - Library Journal Yet The Atheist is a rewarding book, for the sight of Le Beau, a Missourian and a thoroughly professional historian, at work. He assembles and evaluates sweeping detail, narrates lucidly, leaving you to choose your side. -The Baltimore Sun ...thoughtful and vigorous portrait drawn of an extraordinary women. -Journal of American Studies Assessing O'Hair's legacy, Le Beau is skeptical, ungenerous and...mostly correct. -Reason Le Beau's skillful treatment of the issues of personality, public perception, and constitutional principle makes this books, if not required, then at least strongly recommended reading for all who are interested in issues of constitutional development. -Journal of Church and State In 1964, Life magazine called Madalyn Murray O'Hair the most hated woman in America. Another critic described her as rude, impertinent, blasphemous, a destroyer not only of beliefs but of esteemed values. In this first full-length biography, Bryan F. Le Beau offers a penetrating assessment of O'Hair's beliefs and actions and a probing discussion of how she came to represent both what Americans hated in their enemies and feared in themselves. Born in 1919, O'Hair was a divorced mother of two children born out of wedlock. She launched a crusade against God, often using foul language as she became adept at shocking people and making effective use of the media in delivering her message. She first gained notoriety as one of the primary litigants in the 1963 case Murray v. Curlett which led the Supreme Court to ban school prayer. The decision stunned a nation engaged in fighting godless Communism and made O'Hair America's most famous-and most despised-atheist. O'Hair led a colorful life, facing assault charges and extradition from Mexico, as well as the defection of her son William, who as an adult denounced her. She later served as Hustler publisher Larry Flynt's chief speech writer in his bid for President of the United States. Drawing on original research, O'Hair's diaries, and interviews, Le Beau traces her development from a child of the Depression to the dictatorial, abrasive woman who founded the American Atheists, wrote books denouncing religion, and challenged the words Under God in the Pledge of Allegiance, In God We Trust on American currency, the tax exempt status of religious organizations, and other activities she saw as violating the separation of church and state. O'Hair remained a spokesperson for atheism until 1995, when she and her son and granddaughter vanished. It was later discovered that they were murdered by O'Hair's former office manager and an accomplice. Fast-paced, engagingly written, and sharply relevant to ongoing debates about school prayer and other religious issues, The Atheist tells the colorful life-story of a woman who challenged America's most deeply held beliefs.
Synopsis
The first biography of the colorful life Madalyn Murray O'Hair--America's most famous (and despised) atheist
In 1964, Life magazine called Madalyn Murray O'Hair "the most hated woman in America." Another critic described her as "rude, impertinent, blasphemous, a destroyer not only of beliefs but of esteemed values."
In this first full-length biography, Bryan F. Le Beau offers a penetrating assessment of O'Hair's beliefs and actions and a probing discussion of how she came to represent both what Americans hated in their enemies and feared in themselves. Born in 1919, O'Hair was a divorced mother of two children born out of wedlock. She launched a crusade against God, often using foul language as she became adept at shocking people and making effective use of the media in delivering her message. She first gained notoriety as one of the primary litigants in the 1963 case Murray v. Curlett which led the Supreme Court to ban school prayer. The decision stunned a nation engaged in fighting "godless Communism" and made O'Hair America's most famous--and most despised--atheist.
O'Hair led a colorful life, facing assault charges and extradition from Mexico, as well as the defection of her son William, who as an adult denounced her. She later served as Hustler publisher Larry Flynt's chief speech writer in his bid for President of the United States.
Drawing on original research, O'Hair's diaries, and interviews, Le Beau traces her development from a child of the Depression to the dictatorial, abrasive woman who founded the American Atheists, wrote books denouncing religion, and challenged the words "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, "In God We Trust" on American currency, the tax exempt status of religious organizations, and other activities she saw as violating the separation of church and state.
O'Hair remained a spokesperson for atheism until 1995, when she and her son and granddaughter vanished. It was later discovered that they were murdered by O'Hair's former office manager and an accomplice.
Fast-paced, engagingly written, and sharply relevant to ongoing debates about school prayer and other religious issues, The Atheist tells the colorful life-story of a woman who challenged America's most deeply held beliefs.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 323-368) and index.
Synopsis
View the Table of Contents .nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Read the Introduction . "The Atheist belongs on the short shelf of books on American atheism, church-state relations, and school prayer."-The Journal of American History "The Atheist is especially instructive today as issues of the separation of chruch and state continue to reverberate throughout our culture...well documented."-BOOK LOOK "Le Beau offers an informative and melancholy portrait of self-promotion and folly."-American Historical Review "Le Beau's biography is the longer and better researched of two recently published lives of Murray."-The New Republic"O'Hair's story is especially instructive today as issues of the separation of chruch and state continue to reverberate throughout our culture."-Crosswinds WeeklyView the Table of Contents .nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Read the Introduction . "Le Beau presents a well-rounded and thoughtful treatment of O'Hair's life and times, and his knowledge and research are evident throughout."- Library Journal"Yet The Atheist is a rewarding book, for the sight of Le Beau, a Missourian and a thoroughly professional historian, at work. He assembles and evaluates sweeping detail, narrates lucidly, leaving you to choose your side."-The Baltimore Sun"...thoughtful and vigorous portrait drawn of an extraordinary women."-Journal of American Studies"Assessing O'Hair's legacy, Le Beau is skeptical, ungenerous and...mostly correct."-Reason"Le Beau's skillful treatment of the issues of personality, public perception, and constitutional principle makes this books, if not required, then at least strongly recommended reading for all who are interested in issues of constitutional development."-Journal of Church and StateIn 1964, Life magazine called Madalyn Murray O'Hair "the most hated woman in America."Another critic described her as "rude, impertinent, blasphemous, a destroyer not only of beliefs but of esteemed values."In this first full-length biography, Bryan F. Le Beau offers a penetrating assessment of O'Hair's beliefs and actions and a probing discussion of how she came to represent both what Americans hated in their enemies and feared in themselves. Born in 1919, O'Hair was a divorced mother of two children born out of wedlock. She launched a crusade against God, often using foul language as she became adept at shocking people and making effective use of the media in delivering her message. She first gained notoriety as one of the primary litigants in the 1963 case Murray v. Curlett which led the Supreme Court to ban school prayer. The decision stunned a nation engaged in fighting "godless Communism"and made O'Hair America's most famous-and most despised-atheist. O'Hair led a colorful life, facing assault charges and extradition from Mexico, as well as the defection of her son William, who as an adult denounced her. She later served as Hustler publisher Larry Flynt's chief speech writer in his bid for President of the United States. Drawing on original research, O'Hair's diaries, and interviews, Le Beau traces her development from a child of the Depression to the dictatorial, abrasive woman who founded the American Atheists, wrote books denouncing religion, and challenged the words "Under God"in the Pledge of Allegiance, "In God We Trust"on American currency, the tax exempt status of religious organizations, and other activities she saw as violating the separation of church and state. O'Hair remained a spokesperson for atheism until 1995, when she and her son and granddaughter vanished. It was later discovered that they were murdered by O'Hair's former office manager and an accomplice. Fast-paced, engagingly written, and sharply relevant to ongoing debates about school prayer and other religious issues, The Atheist tells the colorful life-story of a woman who challenged America's most deeply held beliefs.
Synopsis
Debates about Irish culture have long been plagued by neat oppositions between conquering England and colonized Erin, Protestant and Catholic, stolid Saxon and dreamy Celt. Yet the greatest Irish poets have scorned such simplicities.
In this avowedly interpretative anthology of Irish verse, W.J. McCormack traces creativity of contradiction through several centuries, finding poets productively at odds with their forebears, their contemporarieseven with themselves. From Yeats's tragic laughter to the quieter ironies of Seamus Heaney, from the rambunctious narratives of Merriman and Joyce to the pathos of Wilde's Reading Gaol, the same sparring spirit is found.
This exciting anthology brings together the very best in Irish poetry to reveal a broad yet sharply-focused tradition of diversity and dissidence. W.J. McCormack's compelling collection provokes a wide-ranging reconsideration of one of the world's richest literatures.
About the Author
Bryan F. Le Beau is Professor of History and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. He is the author/editor of several books, including The Story of the Salem Witch Trail and Religion in America to 1865 (also available from NYU Press).
Table of Contents
Out of obscurity -- Murray v. Curlett -- The most hated woman in America -- The atheist -- Why I am an atheist -- Articulating the atheist position -- O'Hair's prominence recedes -- O'Hair retires -- Epilogue : The strange disappearance of Madalyn Murray O'Hair.