Hitler came to power when Eric Hobsbawm was on his way home from school in Berlin, and the Soviet Union fell while he was giving a seminar in New York. He translated for Che Guevara in Havana, had Christmas dinner with a Soviet master spy in Budapest and an evening at home with Mahalia Jackson in Chicago. He saw the body of Stalin, started the modern history of banditry and is (presumably) the only Marxist asked to collaborate with the inventor of the Mars bar. Multilingual, peripatetic, sceptical, endlessly curious and almost contemporary with the terrible "short century" which is the subject of his most widely read book, "Age of Extremes 1914-1991", Hobsbawm has kept his eyes and ears open for 85 years, and has been constantly committed to understanding the "interesting times" through which he has lived. His autobiography is one passionate cosmopolitan Jew's account of his travels through that past which is another country, where they do things differently, and how it became the world of 2002. Hobsbawm takes us from Britain to the countries and cultures of Europe, to the USA (which he appreciated first through jazz), to Latin America, Chile, India and the Far East, and round the dead universe of what was known to its adherents as "really existing socialism". He shows us the history of the 20th century, and the battles of arms and ideology that were fought during it, through the unforgiving eye of one of its most intensely engaged participants.
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Autobiography does not come much more sumptuous than this. Eric Hobsbawm writes with elegant, witty precision. -- Observer, 10 June, 2002
This is an uncommonly interesting and agreeable autobiography, packed with detail and often wise reflection. -- Daily Telegraph, September 21, 2002
in these marvellous encapsulations of our times he shows his gift as an historian and skills as a writer -- Financial Times, 21 September, 2002
This is an uncommonly interesting and agreeable autobiography, packed with detail and often wise reflection. -- Daily Telegraph, September 21, 2002
in these marvellous encapsulations of our times he shows his gift as an historian and skills as a writer -- Financial Times, 21 September, 2002
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*The controversial autobiography of one of the most celebrated historians of our time
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By ZDDQ140770
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent book and works on so many different levels. You read it as one man trying to reconcile his marxist beliefs with the horrors of stalins' russia and then the eventual collapse of communism. You can also read it as the life of an academic and his Universities. You can see it as the history of history itself in the twentieth century, even as the history of the author's history of the world. The point is, Hobsbawms life has been "interesting" and works its way around a number of important themes.
This is a dense, literate book and the style takes a bit of getting used to, but then becomes a wonderful easy read, full of fascinating incidental musings (especially on New York and Jazz) and intriguing characters. Moroever it is an intellectual's autobiography & it is especially interesting to read about the development of ideas and their impact. I'm docking one point because not enough of Hobsbawm the man is seen, but even so, I feel privileged to have had this insight into a very interesting life in very very interesting times. Highly recommended.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Who ever is interested in newer history, in extensive portraits of European (and partly non-European) countries or single landscapes and towns (like Cambrigde) and in cultures in their different expressions can raise a treasure here.
Already the chapters about the France and Italy of the decades between 1930 and 1995 (the author actually experienced this period of time personally) are wonderful, small books for itself. Written excellently this book can easily be read and is never superficial. A fine consumption perhaps like the red wine to a good meal. Unfortunately, it is also the slightly melancholy look back to the times that more and more seem to have been the golden age of the last centuries. In terms of Hobsbawm who simplifies consciously it were the times when the rich ones had to fear the poor ones. Hobsbawm considers his own life as an unusual and not at all foreseeable case of luck. It is generous that he invides us to take part in his review of interesting and personally lucky times.
It is one of the best books which I know. I would like to always have a stack to the hand - for giving away a copy to friends.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Hobsbawm's book is called Interesting Times rather than An Interesting Life, but that is just Hobsbawm being modest. After a lifetime of analyzing history from the perspective of a leftist, but generally even-handed, professor, he takes an opportunity to get a few things off his chest.
He tackles the question of why he stayed a communist for so long, even after the Stalin years forced so many believers to reevaluate their views. He discusses America frankly, past (loves New York, hates the suburbs near Stanford University) and present (the reaction to Sept. 11). He reminisces about wars, academia, and jazz.
About the only question he doesn't address is when and why he changed the spelling of his last name. Unimportant perhaps, but curious. A readable, entertaining, and thoughtful memoir of an interesting man in a troubled century.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A man who lived the 20th century, with wit and compassion
He was loyal to the underdog, dispossessed, and championed the labour movement. Acknowledges the cruelty and injustice of the Zionists
Published 11 days ago by Doretta Meshiea
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Book to have on your shelf
As a 79 year old and having been on the left of politics, and a jazz fan all my life, this was a very good read. Hobsbawm brought back memories long forgotten. Read more
Published 5 months ago by B. Hough
4.0 out of 5 stars
There is such a thing as too much cynicism
It is truly a pity a Nobel Prize for History has never been made, because surely Eric Hobsbawm would deserve it, and considering his age it may well soon be too late. Read more
Published on 23 Oct 2009 by M. A. Krul
4.0 out of 5 stars
No Fool Like An Old Fool
Eric Hobsbawm is a prominent exponent of the Marxist theory of history whose style of writing has earned the admiration of many who do not share his interpretation of the past. Read more
Published on 24 Aug 2009 by Neutral
4.0 out of 5 stars
A sad life of a delusional man
A fascinating book which left me wondering how Hobsbawn has acquired the reputation of being an intellectual, a term which he constantly applies to himself. Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2009 by Seamus Mcneill
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fine autobiography by prominent historian
A very good autobiography. I don't share a lot of Hobsbawm's politics (he was a member of Britain's Communist party for more than half a century). Read more
Published on 20 Aug 2008 by Andres C. Salama
4.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly readable
For anyone interested in twentieth century history, but perhaps looking for a new angle, this book is superb. Read more
Published on 3 Jun 2003
4.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly readable
For anyone interested in twentieth century history, but perhaps looking for a new angle, this book is superb. Read more
Published on 3 Jun 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Thoroughly Interesting Autobiography
The most compelling statement Hobsbawm makes is his call for historians to defend history from abuse and misuse. Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2003
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