Letters to a young contrarian
"In the book that he quite possibly was born to write, provocateur and bestselling author Christopher Hitchens inspires future generations of radicals, gadflies, mavericks, rebels, angry young (wo)men and dissidents. Who better to speak to that person pitched at an angle of passionate disagreement against the lazy consensus than Hitchens, who has made a career of disagreeing in profound and entertaining ways?" "This book explores the entire range of "contrary positions," invoking mentors such as Emile Zola, Rosa Parks and Vaclav Havel. What they have in common is a commitment to living and thinking, right now, in a society not as it is but as it might be. Hitchens bemoans the loss of the skills of dialectical thinking evident in contemporary society and the sacrifice of true irony, satire and other forms of critical style. He understands the importance of disagreement - to personal integrity, to informed discussion, to true progress - to democracy itself."--BOOK JACKET.
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8recommend
14mentions
11people
2010–2026years
64% recommend36% neutral
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- Speaking of Hitchens, I highly recommend his “Letters to a Young Contrarian”. Or any writing of his, to be honest.
- Both of these are slightly over 100 but;
Letters to a Young Contrarian - Christopher Hitchens
The Old Man and the Sea - Hemmingway
Both gave me an appreciation of the writers that led me to read more of their work which ultimately made changes in my life. With Hitchens his work on religion had a profound impact on my world view, with Hemmingway it gave me an appreciation for good writing and story.
- 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-Pa...
[0] therefore with frustration, liquor, cigarette ash, fragility, and sheer brilliance
- Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy and Letters to a Young Contrarian by Christopher Hitches. Both terrific writers.
- Letters to a Young Contrarian by Christopher Hitchens
- I have a different understanding, it's not resistance for resistance sake, it's the willingness to dissent when you disagree. The first thing that pop to my mind is a book by Christopher Hitchens called "Letters to a Young Contrarian". While he enjoyed arguments he did not argue for argument sake for a position he did not hold.
