448 pages
English language
Published Feb. 6, 2007 by Penguin (Non-Classics).
Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon is a 2006 book by American philosopher and cognitive scientist Daniel Dennett, in which the author argues that religion is in need of scientific analysis so that its nature and future may be better understood. The "spell" that requires "breaking" is not religious belief itself but the belief that it is off-limits to or beyond scientific inquiry.
A very measured, gentle, and thoughtful call for greater study of religion as a natural phenomenon. For those that find Dawkins too "strident" or for those that are still religious, Dennet's book is highly recommended.
I can't recommend this highly enough. This is not an anti-religion screed at all, but comes at the topic of religion as a naturally emerging aspect of humanity in a thoughtful, funny, accessible way. It is "New Atheist" only in that it calls for open questioning and research of religion and its utility (and it's written by an atheist).
