Showing 1-4 out of 4 reviews.

• Christopher Hitchens is a man on borrowed time. Diagnosed with terminal cancer, he has so far exceeded the most optimistic prognosis. In a gesture of gratitude, his acknowledgments at the end gave props to his doctors in DC and Houston. And to them, I thank you as well, since your efforts resulted in more incredible content from this remarkable intellect. Arguably is a collection of essays, most from his is recent outlets: Vanity Fair, Atlantic, and Slate. Many of these essays are book reviews -- but reviews unlike any I've read before. They are essays based upon the book, and not a traditional critique. Hitchens is able to interject his own knowledge on a variety of subjects ranging from the ancient to the modern. His Slate pieces tend to be more op-ed in nature, dealing with modern issues (often of political or philosophic/religious nature), drawing both upon research and first-hand experience as a gonzo journalist in some of the world's political hot spots/hell holes dating back to the late 60's. Hitchens is at his best when attacking the duplicity of religious fundamentalism or it's insidious relative, political misdirection. He is most amusing when discussing modern idioms in an almost Andy Rooney-like manner (I think he'd make a great replacement for Rooney if his health permitted). And, of course, there are always things I don't care about despite his best efforts: 20th century English lit notables such as Graeme Greene and Evelyn Waugh, among others. With the exception of aging standby such as Ralph Ellison's The Invisible Man or Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, my fiction reading rarely extends to socially significant literature. My favorite essays in this book were some of his historical book reviews. In particular, several that talk about our Founding Fathers and Thomas Jefferson in particular. Hitchens, a Socialist-turned-Republican, ruthlessly attacks the revisionist history his party has been spouting lately regarding the separation of church and state. Yes, they did mean what they said; there was no underlying intent that we become a Christian state. The United States was always meant to be a secular haven for people of all religion, and the government is to play no active role in promoting any religious ideology in particular.The Republican Party needs candidates with Hitchens' wherewithal. While Hitchens also does not hold back in his criticism of Democratic party ideals, the mere fact that the Republican Party is misrepresenting history (as well as embracing ignorance and eschewing scientific findings) remains an insurmountable obstacle that keeps me firmly on the left today. Given his social and religious views, his choice of parties still seems rather perplexing.

  4.50 out of 5

  JeffV

• The final book of the late, great polymath has a lot to inspire, and a lot to annoy, much like the life of the larger-than-life man himself. From his views on the Iraq war and why women aren't funny to his take downs of pretension in literature, politics, and religion, he spans the gamut from A to beyond Z, and he does it with a wit and erudition that few can match. He refuses to dumb down his vocabulary, insisting instead that we reach higher to meet him in the thesaurus, if need be. He challenges us to think, dares us to disagree with him - and when we do, the arguments that we marshal will be stronger, more forceful, and better thought out than if we'd never bumped up against him. He takes no prisoners, and we have to be quick of wit if we want to avoid falling prey to one of his lucid, seemingly incontrovertible arguments that in the end we must face if we are to maintain our own reason in the face of teh onslaught. One other thing I noticed about this particular work: I usually find collections of literary criticism dreary and uninspiring, even when by my favorite authors. Many of them are erudite and interesting when first penned, but over the years, they become stale and uninteresting. That is not the case here. As Hitches wanders through literary greats and near-greats, you find yourself filing away little tidbits of information for later, and enjoying the subtle way he spproaches the subject. A must read - but be careful not to throw this particular book across the room. You might accidentally knock out a retaining wall.

  4.00 out of 5

  quantum_flapdoodle

• I would certainly recommend this book for fans of the late Christopher Hitchens. It captures his cleverness and his passions very well, and covers wide and varied ground in literary criticism, current events, and history. I always find his writing pleasurable to read (or listen to on an audio-book). Like the few really good columnists and essayists, he can “get away with” not being an expert in any one subject matter because of his audacious sharp-wittedness and by virtue of his own voluminous reading – as a result he sounds like he knows what he’s talking about. That said, in company with most other op-ed columnists and essayists, it’s not like he’s an academic who has devoted years of research to whatever subject he is writing about, nor is he a credentialed professional such as a physician, attorney, architect, engineer, who has mastered a set of knowledge, skills and aptitudes and thus can speak authoritatively about a matter. He is that thing called “a public intellectual.” If you like reading such stuff, read “Arguably.”

  4.00 out of 5

  Chris469

• Arguably is a 750 +- page collection of approximately 100 essays, book reviews, and articles originally published mostly in Vanity Fair, Atlantic Monthly, and Slate. Subjects include 19 and 20th century writers (Waugh, Wodehouse, Greene, etc.), early Americans and politics (Jefferson, Franklin, John Brown,Lincoln), hotspots (Iran, Iraq, Tunisia, Algeria). Also lots of history with a focus on Germany, WWll, Hitler, Churchill. Overall, I was disappointed. Hitchens is obviously a brilliant guy but that doesn't make him a good writer. Essays on 20th century authors for example made comparisons with dozens of others of the period which is fine if you've read each and everyone and all of their works which is a not too subtle way of broadcasting the author's depth of knowledge and superior intellect but also makes for a rather dull book. Won't read more of Christopher Hitchens.

  2.50 out of 5

  maneekuhi

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