New book ‘What I Believe’ out now

Today sees the release of Humanists UK’s new book What I Believe, a collection of over 30 interviews with well-known humanists including Sandi Toksvig, Stephen Fry, Alice Roberts, Tim Minchin, Jim Al-Khalili, Dan Snow, Natalie Haynes, among many others. Edited by Humanists UK’s Chief Executive Andrew Copson, the book offers readers an intimate insight into the values and beliefs that inspire some of today’s most prominent voices. It follows Andrew Copson’s The Little Book of Humanism, co-written with Alice Roberts, which quickly became a Sunday Times bestseller in 2020.

Covering enormous ground, the interviews contained within What I Believe powerfully link personal stories to themes that touch on what it means to be human – spanning art, politics, history, campaigning and activism, the environment, human nature, growing up, and growing old.

Inspired by the essays of two humanist greats – the philosopher Bertrand Russell and the novelist E M Forster – What I Believe opens a window to different humanist perspectives of today. All ideas, values, and beliefs are open to question and in this book readers have the opportunity to reflect on the human experience and consider what they, too, believe.

Jim Al-Khalili, whose interview features in the book said:

‘My humanist belief helps me make sense of the universe and my place within it, which in turn gives my life hope and meaning. To be able to share my thoughts alongside so many leading contemporary thinkers and wonderful human beings in this new book is a tremendous honour.’ 

Helen Czerski, who is also included in What I Believe, said:

‘It’s an honour to be included in this lovely collection of humanist ideas and perspectives. One of the wonderful things about humanism is the adventure of exploring the rich variety of perspectives that we humans can create for ourselves, originating in a rational view of the world seen through the huge diversity of human experience. This book is a wonderful guide to this bounty, full of very human stories and illuminating insights.’

Janet Ellis, who was interviewed for What I Believe said:

‘A manifesto for progressive thinking. Vastly provocative, erudite and entertaining. I contributed and I’m proud!’

Editor Andrew Copson commented:

‘This book presents a remarkable range of perspectives and captures the diversity and depth of contemporary humanist thinking. At a time when values and ideals seem fragmented, readers will hopefully find within these pages not just inspiration but also a deeper sense of connection to the shared human experience. It’s an opportunity to reflect on what drives and inspires us and make sense of what we believe.’

The book is available to order from Waterstones, Hive, Blackwell’s, Amazon, and all good bookshops, at £16.99 RRP. It is published by Piatkus Books, an imprint of Little, Brown. All royalties from the book go towards supporting the work of Humanists UK.

Featured in the book are are Jim Al-Khalili, Joan Bakewell, Sarah Bakewell, Sian Berry, Susan Blackmore, Helen Czerski, Alf Dubs, Janet Ellis, Stephen Fry, Rebecca Goldstein, A C Grayling, Natalie Haynes, Leo Igwe, Mike Little, Ian McEwan, Eddie Marsan, S I Martin, Tim Minchin, Diane Munday, Christina Patterson, Hannah Peel, Kate Pickett, Steven Pinker, Nichola Raihani, Alice Roberts, Paul Sinha, Dan Snow, Sandi Toksvig, Frank Turner, Nigel Warburton, and Richard Wiseman.

Humanists UK is celebrating the launch of the book at a special event on 11 December. Guests will hear directly from Humanists UK patrons Alice Roberts and Natalie Haynes about what drives them, what inspires them, and what gives their lives meaning. 

The collection originates in conversations from Humanists UK’s popular podcast of the same name, What I Believe, which since 2020 has been listened to by people in over 100 countries, and has ranked in the top 1% of podcasts worldwide.