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Damien Hirst and Jason Beard, The Death of God: Towards a Better Understanding of a Life Without God Aboard the Ship of Fools, London: Other Criteria, 2006

172 pages containing 69 full colour reproductions of all the works in the show; original black wrappers, titles and decoration to spine and front cover in gilt, red and silver foil, red endpapers.
8.75 x 6.5 x 0.5 in (22.8 x 17 x 1.8 cm)

Signed by Damien Hirst on the front red endpaper.

The book was published in 2006 by Other Criteria, which is Hirst's publishing company to accompany his first show that ran February 2 through August 27, 2006 at the Galeria Hilario Galguera in Mexico City. It includes an interview with the gallery owner, Hilario Galguera, exploring the theme of religion within and throughout Hirst's work. Hirst's earlier poems, The Cancer Chronicles, are reproduced within the catalogue alongside light micrographs of nineteen different kinds of cancer cells. With three-colour foil blocked cover and real metallic gold printed throughout, the catalogue also contains a fold- out detail of the work In the Name of the Father. All text appears in both English and Spanish.

The book is a collection of essays and photographs that explore the theme of death, and the idea of living in a world without the concept of God. The title of the book is a reference to the idea that the concept of God is dying or has already died in modern society. It includes contributions from various writers, philosophers, and artists, including Richard Dawkins, Douglas Coupland, James Frey, David Sylvester, Rudi Fuchs, Michael Craig-Martin, and Angus Fairhurst among others. The essays cover a wide range of topics, from the philosophical and theological implications of death to the cultural and artistic representations of mortality.

The book is notable for its provocative and thought-provoking content, as well as for its striking design. It is illustrated with a selection of Hirst's artworks, including Wrath of God inspired by his iconic work The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, which features a preserved shark in formaldehyde. The artworks are used to highlight the book's themes and to provide a visual complement to the essays.

It is a challenging book that tackles some of the most profound questions about the human condition. It is a testament to the creative vision of Hirst and Beard, and a valuable addition to the literature on death and mortality and offers a unique perspective on the relationship between art, religion, and philosophy. It continues to be a source of inspiration and debate for readers and thinkers around the world.