The Rediscovery of Ethics - Rated 
If you are looking for a prescription of what constitutes a 'good life' then this book may disappoint. It would be better seen as an overview of the twists and turns which moral development in the West has gone through. It starts by considering the contributions of the ancient Greeks, passes through the Oriental influence from Christianity and Islam and ends by considering contemporary issues in medical ethics and human rights.
Other reviewers have already heaped praise onto the fourth chapter - The Ordinances of God. Whereas Richard Dawkins praises the morality portrayed in the New Testament, A.C. Grayling has a much more hard-hitting and uncompromising approach. He points out that there were more highly developed moral systems in existence at least 500 years prior. In addition, he describes Christianity, Islam and Judaism as anti-moral or, sometimes, immoral. This is indeed an excellent and thought-provoking chapter.
One other revelation from this book was the two paragraphs (on page 45) where he describes the Epicurean attitudes to deities and to death. This was very elegantly done and left me with a realisation of the extent to which Epicureanism was slurred as hedonistic. I suspect that many atheists would nod in agreement with the Epicurean stance.
If you approach this book expecting to be told the best way to live, then as I said above, you may be disappointed. On the other hand, if you treat it as a 250 page history of 2500 years of Western morality then it is an engaging, stimulating and thoughtful book.
The Book Dawkins Might Have Written - Rated
I will restrict my review to just the second chapter of this book, "The Ordinances of God". This perfectly formed 30 page section is the book that Dawkins should have written instead of The God Delusion. Where many had hoped that Dawkins might write a magic bullet of a book, one that could be handed to believers and nullify their faith by its conclusion, in reality, he succumbed too easily to the temptation to rant. Grayling's approach, whilst making no attempt to hide his atheism, is a more tightly reasoned and altogether more concise and affecting repudiation of the religious "fairy story".
The fact that the rest of the book is an excellent summary of thought about the 'right way to live' from classical antiquity to modern day is a bonus.
Dismay - Rated 
I find the following smug assertion 'It is fortunate that many who choose to work in medicine, are by inclination, among the best equipped to think them [the dilemma of ethics] through with intelligence, generosity and compassion', astonishing and very disappointing in a book by a teacher of philosophy. Anyone who has spent a lifetime - or even merely a considerable time - associated with the medical profession, would consider this statement to be due to either fealty or ignorance. Such a comment about the superior ethical or virtuous nature of the membership of any profession must devalue the standing of any writer appealing to the open-mindedness of his/her readers.
What a nice book! - Rated
This book is summary of centuries of philosophy. Grayling is surprisingly good in taking the reader through the debate between reason and superstition across the centuries. His style is simple and pages turn quickly. This book can be read by everybody and it is so direct and honest that I cannot see how to object Grayling's reasoning.
Chapter 4 in particular is a pleasure for the brain!!!
Grayling intellectual honesty is to be praised. He clearly chooses a humanistic approach, but he never sounds arrogant or unconvincing for at least he has more than 2000 years of disbielef to support his case.
A highly reccomended and enjoyable reading.
Talk about being bias! - Rated
I've read the bible quite a bit and come from a religious back-ground, what a coincidence that im going to write a negative review on this book.....but anyways I chose to read this book to understand it from a differant perspective, assuming Grayling would have his facts straight, but to my disappointment he doesn't. i can tell you--by just reading his book-- that he has never thourghouly read the bible because he takes verses out context. What a disappointment! If your going to read this book be open-minded enough to read books from the oppoiste perspective.
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