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Product Description
Product Description
Beginning with a dilemma about whether he spends more money on reading or smoking, George Orwell’s entertaining and uncompromising essays go on to explore everything from the perils of second-hand bookshops to the dubious profession of being a critic, from freedom of the press to what patriotism really means.
Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves – and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives – and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.
About the Author
Eric Arthur Blair (George Orwell) was born in India in 1903. He was educated at Eton, served with the Indian Imperial Police in Burma, and worked in Britain as a private tutor, schoolteacher, bookshop assistant and journalist. In 1936, Orwell went to fight for the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War and was wounded. In 1938 he was admitted into a sanatorium and from then on was never fully fit. George Orwell died in London in 1950.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When George Orwell's diaries were released online as a daily blog, beginning about a year ago and still ongoing, I remembered how much I enjoyed his essays and how long it had been since I'd read any of them. I was reminded of The Road to Wigan Pier when I recently read The Road to Southend Pier: One Man's Struggle Against the Surveillance Society, about the recent proliferation of closed-circuit TV cameras throughout Britain. Very Big Brother-ish.
So when I saw Books v. Cigarettes on a display with others from the Penguin Great Ideas series, I grabbed it. Not only was I looking forward to reading the book-related essays of Orwell, but the design of the book itself is a delight. A smidgen taller and wider than a mass market paperback and considerably thinner, the cover evokes the old Penguins of the mid 20th century, right down to the price printed on the upper right hand corner : 3'/6. The cover is rough, not slick, with subtly embossed lettering. I love it.
There are only six essays here, 126 pages. Orwell gets off to a good start by taking to task those who complain that books cost too much. He compares the cost of the books he's bought over the years with the amount he's spent on booze and cigarettes, and finds that even with his above-average book consumption, books cost less than other vices. Essays about bookselling and book reviewing follow, then one about the British Left's lukewarm support for freedom of the press. According to Orwell, the Left's support of Soviet Russia made them overlook little things like censorship.
The final three essays are not really book-related at all. Following a 1940 essay about the coming war, there's a description of the miserable time Orwell spent in a hospital for the poor in Paris, then a long essay (nearly half the entire book) of his miserable time as a boy at boarding school.
I don't think I would recommend this volume as a good introduction to the essays of Orwell - Shooting an Elephant: And Other Essays would be a better choice. But for those looking to read a few favorites in an attractive new edition, this is just the ticket.
So when I saw Books v. Cigarettes on a display with others from the Penguin Great Ideas series, I grabbed it. Not only was I looking forward to reading the book-related essays of Orwell, but the design of the book itself is a delight. A smidgen taller and wider than a mass market paperback and considerably thinner, the cover evokes the old Penguins of the mid 20th century, right down to the price printed on the upper right hand corner : 3'/6. The cover is rough, not slick, with subtly embossed lettering. I love it.
There are only six essays here, 126 pages. Orwell gets off to a good start by taking to task those who complain that books cost too much. He compares the cost of the books he's bought over the years with the amount he's spent on booze and cigarettes, and finds that even with his above-average book consumption, books cost less than other vices. Essays about bookselling and book reviewing follow, then one about the British Left's lukewarm support for freedom of the press. According to Orwell, the Left's support of Soviet Russia made them overlook little things like censorship.
The final three essays are not really book-related at all. Following a 1940 essay about the coming war, there's a description of the miserable time Orwell spent in a hospital for the poor in Paris, then a long essay (nearly half the entire book) of his miserable time as a boy at boarding school.
I don't think I would recommend this volume as a good introduction to the essays of Orwell - Shooting an Elephant: And Other Essays would be a better choice. But for those looking to read a few favorites in an attractive new edition, this is just the ticket.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Excellent collection of essays from Orwell. It includes reminiscences from his youth as well as reporting of sorts of the then current political affairs, linked to literary creation. While the former benefit from the perspective accorded from looking back at them decades later, the latter, written as it were while things were happening provide a very interesting insight into the thinking of the time, unfiltered by the need to fit the experience / views into some pre-formed theories. Many of the musings would be considered valid and up to date even now, which is not an impression one gets by reading historical accounts of the period of ~1930-1946 reading other accounts. As good essays tend to, the author is not out to present a comprehensive analysis of the topics being written about - it is more a passionate, fairly one sided but still strongly compelling argument that is being presented but this is really done with some mastery. Highly recommended!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm not a big fan of Orwell's books, that is to say I dislike his style. They are of course good books but they all seem to follow the same rhythm, most ending in an inevitably depressing fashion that loses its power in its over use. However, this collection of essays where a joy to read. Reflective, brutally honest and a sign of a man who truly thought for himself. His condemnation of the useful idiots who blindly spouted the propaganda line of the soviet union and other hacks is a message still relivent to our time, and his reflection on his time at school makes interesting reading. On the topic of his time in public school, I couldn't help but draw comparisons (in the contrast) to Peter Hitchens' description in 'The Rage Against God'. While Hitchens seems to find no fault in his experience of education (a suspicious lack of criticism if truth be told, I suspect him to be one of those people who has forgotten all the problems of the past and is constantly comparing their fantasy of how things were to an overly negative version of today) Orwell gives a warts and all account of suffering the fate of being considered second rate in a elitist and hypocritical institution.
Well worth reading, and at the price its being offered you'd be mad not to give it a go.
Well worth reading, and at the price its being offered you'd be mad not to give it a go.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A very good series of essays - well worth reading
I used to read a lot of Orwell in my school and student days and have always appreciated the very clear voice that comes accross in his writing. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Bacchus
must buy
my old copy of Orwell's essays has fallen apart. the glue holding the pages together has dried out and turning any page without great chunks of the book falling into my lap is... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. Anthony J. Hume
Orwell on the joys of reading (and nicotine)
Orewll was probably the best English-language prose writer of the 20th century,so how could I resist this,his reflections on his twin addictions of literature and tobacco? Read more
Published 17 months ago by PygmyTwylyte
Utterly fantastic, will perpetually chose Orwell over Cigarettes.
Orwell's sparse style makes his writing so appealing to the average reader; his concise phrasing and choice of unpretentious words make him so easy to read. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Vickie
Another must-read Orwell book
The way in which George Orwell writes his short narratives is brilliantly enticing, with the subtle humorous lines in the book that keep all the topics light and enjoyable whilst... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Elise
Getting to know George Orwell
This is a small book where you seem to be getting to know George Orwell. Which is great! You learn his opinions about some things, you find out a bit about his past, his childhood. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Andre Nobrega
Interesting essays on books and childhood
This is a collection of seven short essays by the wonderful George Orwell. I really enjoyed reading this, it was interesting to get a perspective of how things were back in the... Read more
Published on 16 May 2010 by Sofia Romualdo
ESSENTIAL ORWELL
Orwell is always a must and these lovely little books are a joy. This is essential also because it's Orwell on the fantastic subject of books - very appropriate! Read this!
Published on 30 Aug 2008 by botany11
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