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The late Christopher Hitchens was a drink sodden ex-Trotskyist popinjay, of course. But one we needed. His 'Letters to a Young Contrarian'(2001), though filled

The late Christopher Hitchens was a drink sodden ex-Trotskyist popinjay, of course. But one we needed. His 'Letters to a Young Contrarian'(2001), though filled with himself[0], remains a heartfelt read for anyone going about the world in their own way. If you can get a used copy, preferably filled with marginalia, treasure it, add your own thoughts, and pass it along. The always unique comments railing against Hitch will be worth the effort. More so when all agree. Paul may wish to pick up a copy, though I suspect he just needs to re-read the one on his shelf. https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Young-Contrarian-Mentoring-Paperback/dp/0465030335 https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Young-Contrarian-Mentoring-Pa... [0] therefore with frustration, liquor, cigarette ash, fragility, and sheer brilliance

Thorentis 6y ago
A fantastic debate between Christopher and his brother Peter in which Christopher defended the Iraq war showed me just how much of an "independent thinker" Christopher really was (i.e. Not as much as you'd think). Being a militant atheist is hardly enough to be considered independent or contrarian in today's world.
- Balgair 6y ago
  Hear Hear! He was a two fisted drunken chain smoker, for sure. But what rare good ideas he had were worth it all. I'll cheer again his Letters to Young Contrarian as terrible sauced drivel. But damned if I ever wrote more in the margins of that thin little tome arguing against his bastard ideas. To be clear, I disagree with nearly everything Hitch said. But his poppycock made me think deeper than any second-rate Augustine. To have everyone hate you is a rare thing. To have that for decades is unique. If he ever wrote only that one pamphlet, he'd be forgotten. But that he wrote so much more and that cigarette of a book, well, makes the matchbox so much more reprehensible. It wasn't satire, rather, a hose of drool. But it is truly honest. Again, read it, argue with him, treasure it, and pass it along. I can't recommend anything better on how to live that kind of life.

Thorentis 6y ago

A fantastic debate between Christopher and his brother Peter in which Christopher defended the Iraq war showed me just how much of an "independent thinker" Christopher really was (i.e. Not as much as you'd think). Being a militant atheist is hardly enough to be considered independent or contrarian in today's world.

Balgair 6y ago
Hear Hear! He was a two fisted drunken chain smoker, for sure. But what rare good ideas he had were worth it all. I'll cheer again his Letters to Young Contrarian as terrible sauced drivel. But damned if I ever wrote more in the margins of that thin little tome arguing against his bastard ideas. To be clear, I disagree with nearly everything Hitch said. But his poppycock made me think deeper than any second-rate Augustine. To have everyone hate you is a rare thing. To have that for decades is unique. If he ever wrote only that one pamphlet, he'd be forgotten. But that he wrote so much more and that cigarette of a book, well, makes the matchbox so much more reprehensible. It wasn't satire, rather, a hose of drool. But it is truly honest. Again, read it, argue with him, treasure it, and pass it along. I can't recommend anything better on how to live that kind of life.