Current Titles:

Great Freethinkers:
Selected Quotations by Famous Skeptics
and Nonconformists

James C. Sanford, Editor

This is a book of more than 1,000 irreverent, incisive, ironical, and wise quotations by men and women who were not afraid to make waves in their pursuit of principle. Included are truth-seekers from Heraclitus to Einstein and heretics from Thomas Paine to Edward Abbey. It is the first book to feature the opinions of freethinkers not just on religion and politics, but on a whole range of human issues.

The term "freethinker" broadly designates one who thinks independently and questions accepted norms and traditions. There is no single "creed" of freethought. Almost 200 men and women of varying opinions -- from atheists to unconventional theists, from old-fashioned liberals to anarchists and socialists -- are represented here. Their quotations have been assigned to 45 topics, carefully attributed, and placed chronologically under each topic. Entries have been chosen for their incisiveness, depth, and wit. It is hoped that readers will find this both a useful reference tool and a guide to understanding a noble tradition. .

James C. Sanford trained as a historian and taught in academia before entering the antiquarian book trade in the 1980's. As a bookman he has long specialized in the history of science and ideas, taking a particular interest in freethought. He has written articles on historical and book-related topics and contributed to two books.

ISBN: 0-9747042-3-7 (Hardcover) $23. ISBN: 0-9747042-2-9 (Softcover) $15. 250 pages. Index.

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Some sample quotations from Great Freethinkers:

Let the human mind loose. It must be loose. It will be loose. Superstition and dogmatism cannot confine it. — John Adams, letter to J. Q. Adams, November 13, 1816

The people receive religion and laws in the same way they receive coins: without examining them. — Voltaire, Le Sottissier, mid-18th century

The greatest tragedy in mankind's entire history may be the hijacking of morality by religion. — Arthur C. Clarke, "Credo," in Living Philosophies, 1991

No one is more of a slave than he who thinks himself free without being so. — Goethe, Maxims and Reflections, 1809

Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught. — Oscar Wilde, Intentions, 1891

It is only because miners sweat their guts out that superior persons can remain superior. — George Orwell, The Road to Wigan Pier, 1937

My address is like my shoes. It travels with me. I abide where there is a fight against wrong. — Mother Jones, Autobiography of Mother Jones, 1925

It is not only good for people to be shocked occasionally, but absolutely necessary to the progress of society that they should be shocked pretty often. — George Bernard Shaw, The Quintessence of Ibsenism, 1891