Love, Poverty, and War: Journeys and Essays (Nation Books)
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Review
"'dazzling, and often very moving, writing from the 1990s by 'one of the most prolific, as well as brilliant, journalists of our time' (Observer). 'An exceptional political polemicist... Christopher Hichens might end up as the best literary and cultural critic of his generation.' David Herman, Prospect 'Hitchens is just too damn good.' Peter Wilby, New Statesman"
Review
"'Christopher Hitchens is a remarkable commentator. He jousts with fraudulence of every stripe and always wins. I regret he has only one life, one mind.' Joseph Heller; 'His allies, of whom I count myself one, rejoice in the sureness of his aim. May his targets cower.' Susan Sontag"
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In the fateful spring and early summer of 1940 the people of Britain clustered around their wireless sets to hear defiant and uplifting oratory from their new Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
In the fateful spring and early summer of 1940 the people of Britain clustered around their wireless sets to hear defiant and uplifting oratory from their new Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
120 of 123 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Christopher Hitchens is one of those writers whose prodigious output of letters, essays, and commentaries on the life, the universe, and everything is so pointed and provocative that he is capable of irritating anyone, sometimes repeatedly so, familiar enough with his work to have read more than just one of his essays. This should not be construed as a negative. In fact, if one is going to fall into paroxysms of anger or annoyance when reading an essay at the very least it should be well written, intelligent, and amusing. "Love, Poverty, and War" a collection of essays written by Christopher Hitchens has all three attributes in abundance and will please anyone willing to take the risk that his/her cultural or political icons may be subject to one of Hitchens' literary assaults.
As noted, Hitchens is prolific. Many of the essays in this anthology were originally published in a variety of magazines. In addition the anthology includes prefaces that Hitchens has written for new editions of classic works of fiction such Saul Bellow's Adventures of Augie March and Aldous Huxley's Brave New World.
It is fair to say that Hitchens does not suffer fools or cultural icons gladly. In short order he takes aim at Winston Churchill, Mother Theresa, Noam Chomsky, Michael Moore, Mel Gibson, and allegedly oppressive no smoking regulations implemented by the Mayor of New York. Given the diversity of political and social views held by these subjects it is hard to accuse Hitchens of toeing a particular ideological line. One may wince, for example, when Hitchens takes on Churchill and then applaud when he eviscerates Chomsky. No matter whether one agrees with the substance of any particular essay it is hard to disagree with the intellect and writing style of the drafter. Hitchens' very success in advancing his point of view may explain the ferocity of the attacks upon him by those who have been subject to his rapier. Very few can best him intellectually (I certainly can't) or match the sheer breadth of the subjects he has no small amount of knowledge of. Of course the immediate reaction then becomes a personal attack on his motives.
I expected the book to be dominated by the political and literary commentary that marks most of his writings for the Atlantic and Salon. What both surprised and delighted me was Hitchens more apolitical essays. His journey on the tattered remains of Route 66 is a brilliant piece of writing. So to is his look at Hollywood's famous Sunset Boulevard.
All in all these essays have something to please and annoy just about everyone. Colette once said that the "writer who loses his self-doubt, who gives way as he grows old to a sudden euphoria, to prolixity, should stop writing immediately: the time has come for him to lay aside his pen." Hitchens may be prolific but he is far from prolix. I trust it will be a long time before he lays down his pen.
This book is recommended for anyone that admires good writing and who is not concerned about damaging any particular sacred cows.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book contains valuable (inside) information on J. L. Borges (religions believe `in immortality, but the veneration paid to the first century of life is proof that they truly believe only in those hundred years, for they destine all the rest, throughout eternity, to rewarding or punishing what one did when alive.'), A. Huxley and eugenics, M. Proust (`exposes and clarifies the springs of human motivation'), W. Churchill and his hypocritical overture to Stalin's heirs, a visionary L. Trotzky, Byron's hubris, J. Joyce and handjobs, a reactionary E. Waugh, a democratic and cosmopolitan S. Bellow or the importance of the `emigration of genius' for the US (B. Wilder).
C. Hitchens criticizes severely the US deliberate negligence of history education (`there is still an unmet need for an intelligible past'), the J. F. Kennedy myth, Michael Moore (Fahrenheit 7/11) and Mel Gibson (The Passion of Christ).
He castigates religion (`that most toxic of foes'), be it in the name of the Dalai Lama (`proclaiming reincarnation') or Mother Teresa (no empowerment of women).
He is viscerally opposed to capital punishment (`I feel permanently degraded and somewhat unmanned as a complicit spectator.')
But there is, at least, one false note in his reporting (on the Iraq war). Here we can quote G. Orwell in his evaluation of R. Kipling's work: he didn't understand that `an empire is primarily a money-making concern'.
This book will mostly appeal to literary buffs. So, only for the happy few.
C. Hitchens criticizes severely the US deliberate negligence of history education (`there is still an unmet need for an intelligible past'), the J. F. Kennedy myth, Michael Moore (Fahrenheit 7/11) and Mel Gibson (The Passion of Christ).
He castigates religion (`that most toxic of foes'), be it in the name of the Dalai Lama (`proclaiming reincarnation') or Mother Teresa (no empowerment of women).
He is viscerally opposed to capital punishment (`I feel permanently degraded and somewhat unmanned as a complicit spectator.')
But there is, at least, one false note in his reporting (on the Iraq war). Here we can quote G. Orwell in his evaluation of R. Kipling's work: he didn't understand that `an empire is primarily a money-making concern'.
This book will mostly appeal to literary buffs. So, only for the happy few.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Christopher Hitchens pisses people off. Thats what he does. Fortunately, he speaks only the truth, and consequently is one of the most important and influential figures to have ever graced the British and American left.
As well as being a cutting edge journalist who is not afraid to put his neck on the line for groundbreaking reportage, he is also a sound literary critic and a fluent and elegant writer. All these qualities are displayed flamboyantly here in this selection of essays. Many in the first section (Love) are reviews of or introductions to other literary works, and I found that a full understanding of these passages required prior knowledge. In fact, this is my only gripe about the book in general; when Hitchens invariably crosses into self-indulgent territory, the literary and historical references come thick and fast, and sometimes it's hard to keep up.
But this is a minor issue. Overall the man is an intellectual giant, and this compilation stands as a legacy of one of the 20th/21st centuries more enduring and important authors.
As well as being a cutting edge journalist who is not afraid to put his neck on the line for groundbreaking reportage, he is also a sound literary critic and a fluent and elegant writer. All these qualities are displayed flamboyantly here in this selection of essays. Many in the first section (Love) are reviews of or introductions to other literary works, and I found that a full understanding of these passages required prior knowledge. In fact, this is my only gripe about the book in general; when Hitchens invariably crosses into self-indulgent territory, the literary and historical references come thick and fast, and sometimes it's hard to keep up.
But this is a minor issue. Overall the man is an intellectual giant, and this compilation stands as a legacy of one of the 20th/21st centuries more enduring and important authors.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A collection of fine writing and polemic
Love, Poverty and War. Journeys and essays. By Christopher Hitchens.
Christopher Hitchens had a great way with words, both as writer and orator. Read more
Christopher Hitchens had a great way with words, both as writer and orator. Read more
Published 1 month ago by R. J. Farrer
A superb read
A superb collection of writings. Having also read Hitch-22, I'd highly recommend this book as you see the eloquence and lucidity of Hitchens, who may have found more success with... Read more
Published 1 month ago by style83
Shame about the font size
Provoking thoughts well expressed and it is good to discover new words. However the print size is the smallest i've encountered making reading tiring.
Published 3 months ago by D. Martin
A Russell de nos jours
To call this man Britain's answer to Gore Vidal (what was the question, exactly?) is to do him a disservice. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Simon G. Barrett
Hitchens educates us
An excellent insight into the minds and motivations of other thinkers and writers. Marvellous that a brain such as Hitchens provides this. Does the guy ever sleep?
Published 17 months ago by Mr. Barry Keylock
More genius from the genius
An excellent book indeed covering the whole vista of humanity and inhumanity.
I personally found some of the chapters in the "Love" part a little hard going as some of... Read more
I personally found some of the chapters in the "Love" part a little hard going as some of... Read more
Published 20 months ago by AgentMulderUK
Hitchins at his best
fascinating and ranging subject matter, thought provoking and wonderfully written... all we have come to expect from Hitchins
Published on 18 Oct 2007 by J. K. Dowd
The Best of Hitch
This is Hitch's best collection so far, the usual broad range of subjects from the sublime Proust to the crass Michael Moore. Read more
Published on 30 Jun 2005 by Manc Reader
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