Just re-read this on my Kindle after first reading it perhaps 25 years ago. It is still a wonderfully persuasive demolition of any shred of veracity that the Bible might cling to. The first part, where Paine is working without the aid of a Bible on hand, is a bit general, but shows his impeccable logic. In Part II, when he can show the internal contradictions of the Bible and quote chapter and verse, it is even more impressive. The only bad parts are a few unnecessary digressions from time to time. Over 200 years ago, Paine pointed out many of the same problems and truths (e.g, the books in the Bible were selected on by a vote!) as current authors such as Bart Ehrman do. Paine is probably harder on the church - and though he doesn't say it in so many words - he basically portrays it as a con job meant to provide a living for a select, corrupt group of leaders. As Paine points out, the average Christian really has little to no concept of what is actually in the Bible. It has been reduced to a boiled down fairly innocuous set of Bible Stories with all the nasty parts left out.

Certainly a must read for everyone. ( )

Paine's The Age of Reason is one of the best classical works I've read so far. It it comprehensive, persuasive, and easily accessible for the common man. The only downside to this book is the second part - it is a dry list of scriptural criticism. It is interesting to read, but the real fireworks can all be found in the first part. ( )

If only America would have embraced Thomas Paine. What a great book. All you need to read to find out what a hogwash fundamentalist religion is. From the greatest enlightenment thinker ever. Entertaining, funny and devastating. ( )

This is a book to stimulate your thoughts. The introductory letter by Paine himself, written at a time when he believed he was soon to be executed is a masterpiece in itself, combining clarity of reason with immensely powerful rhetorical skill. The book definitely has two parts and the second has not aged as well as the first, but that only means that I had to give the author a little leeway in the second half. I found the book difficult to buy on open sale in a bookshop, which might suggest that its anti-religious sentiments are not well received, mirroring Paine's concerns that reason was being compromised by the self same forces. A classic book. ( )

This book changed my life. It is the foundation of Deism a religion based on the belief in God or a Higher Being based reason and nature. For years I knew what my beliefs were but they didn't relate to any existing religion. The book points out all the contradictions and falsehoods in the Bible. Then if you go beyond this book and study history you find that many of our founding fathers were also Deist. People like Washington, Jefferson, Franklin and many others. If you're one who believes in God or a Higher Being but doesn't go to church or is offended the self righteousness of religion. This is the book to read.