View the Table of Contents. Read the Introduction.
"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 interestedin 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 ofreligious 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.
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