Journalist and historian Peter Watson has written a lengthy, substantive book about atheism as it has played out over the past 150 years, covering the major players, promoters, and philosophers.
MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/02/18/peter-watsons-new-book-explores-how-atheists-have-sought-to-live-since-the-death-of-god/