An interesting memoir

Hitchens describes the various phases of his life and politics with brutal honesty.

Worth a read

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Tour De Force but rebalance your speakers

Firstly I want to say an objective analysis of this book for me is impossible. I came to Hitchens through YouTube I think and vía Dawkins and Carl Sagan. I had been an agnostic before - but he hooked me on the atheist bent. When I finished god is not great, hitch 22 was the next step for me.

I owe hitch a great personal debt. In 2017 he revolutionised my life, leading me away from the self improvement tomes which were pretty much the only books I was reading - into a new world of critical thought, philosophy (though I had dabbled with this before), literature, politics and poetry.

I am now a WH Auden fan. I listen to classical music, and Gilbert and Sullivan. I have read David Hume, Lucretius, Marx and more. My to read list is populated by Hitch’s suggestions. Partially due to his influence, and the influence of others in my life i went back to university and started studying my masters degree. I met my girlfriend there. My politics started shifting from the traditional conservative area that I had associated with to more to the left, although I suspect that in his later years hitch would have not made too much of this. Crucially hitch has taught me to rediscover my critical faculties which have laid dormant for over 10 years and my love of the written word. He taught me the dialectic, the didactic and critical tenacity I owe him everything for my own personal renaissance.

If he can do that for me, imagine what he can do for you. This book tells you about the events, the politics and crucially the books that moulded him. Grasp the lessons that you can. It merits a second go, though I’m likely to do it with the hard copy next time to actually grasp more of the lessons to be squeezed out of it.

This is the only book I’ve ever awarded five stars. It should be part of your library.

One caveat - hitch’s baritone is so lovely, but it is so bassy the reverberations made it a difficult listen on a set of Bose speakers. I think the producers could’ve done a slightly better job with the balancing of the audio in what is otherwise a fantastic book.

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12 people found this helpful

Great book but not as audio

Unfortunately I have had to give up this book, not because it wasn’t any good but because of the audio. The intonations and fluctuations in volume make it just too hard a listen. Not wanting to miss a word (everything he says is valuable) I was constantly rewinding and adjusting the volume. I will read the hardcover.

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1 person found this helpful

Loved it!

Nothing Hitchens does is ever boring!

-Sam Harris

The above is a great summary of my pleasant surprise with this book. I've seen many interviews with Hitchens on the topic of it, but it's delivered in a great way and it was much more interesting than I expected.

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Hitchens has immortalised yet humanised himself

Hitchens' voice alone is astounding, however it is his skill with not only presenting words, but arranging, decorating and using them to exact so perfectly the effect he wants his audience to have. At times his sincerity and ironic consciousness to not be self-conscious really create the honest image of this man who recognises the pages soon closing on him. His commentary on Cold War politics (the most influential period of his life), can be both alienating and inspiring for a young audience who should ensure they then go out and learn more about this era.

His playful insistence to see and make poetry at all opportunities is iconic and cements his reputation. The mixture of cheer and shame and embarassment as he unlocks once repressed memories of his youth shows Hitch's humanity and susceptibility to their upbringing, yet also show his admirable ability to reflect with humour and scrutiny.

Hitch 22 is not his whole legacy, however is a strong testament to who he is and how he formed such a bold persona over his very full years above this earth. He assures me that hedonism and the pursuit of love, knowledge and goodness cannot ever be underrated, regardless of how many years you may or may not have on your card.

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Brilliant

If you’re a fan of the Hitch this is a must read and listen. It’s funny, concise and well fleshed out.

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sultry tones

Christopher would have been pleased to know that I read his paperback prior to buying this audio version. I only bought it to listen to Christopher's voice. Gorgeous, sultry tones.

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hitchs tells his story

it's more a summary of his work than an intimate biography. remains mostly aloof. his distaste for audiobooks is reflected in his narration, to the point that at times its inaudible. but I'd prefer this over anybody else.

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It's like having a personal conversation with Hitchens!

Hitchens was terminally ill during this recording, so I consider this a final gift from a man I love.

Beautiful to listen to, and I got teary during many moments when I realised again how much we've lost with his death.

Get this book if you were evenly slightly interested in this man's life.

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Love Hitchens

This was a typical Hitchens book, it was great to hear his voice and have some insights to the great man.

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