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Letters to a Young Contrarian (Art of Mentoring (Paperback)) Paperback – April 13, 2005

by Christopher Hitchens (Author)

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In the book that he was born to write, provocateur and best-selling author Christopher Hitchens inspires future generations of radicals, gadflies, mavericks, rebels, angry young (wo)men, and dissidents. Who better to speak to that person who finds him or herself in a contrarian position than Hitchens, who has made a career of disagreeing in profound and entertaining ways.This book explores the entire range of "contrary positions"-from noble dissident to gratuitous pain in the butt. In an age of overly polite debate bending over backward to reach a happy consensus within an increasingly centrist political dialogue, Hitchens pointedly pitches himself in contrast. He bemoans the loss of the skills of dialectical thinking evident in contemporary society. He understands the importance of disagreement-to personal integrity, to informed discussion, to true progress-heck, to democracy itself. Epigrammatic, spunky, witty, in your face, timeless and timely, this book is everything you would expect from a mentoring contrarian.

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Editorial Reviews

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"Hitchens is expanding his influence, showing the next generation how to 'think independently'"

About the Author

Christopher Hitchens is a contributing editor to Vanity Fair. His numerous books include Letters to a Young Contrarian and Why Orwell Matters.

Series: Art of Mentoring (Paperback)
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Basic Books; Later ptg edition (April 13, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0465030335
ISBN-13: 978-0465030330
Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.5 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 165 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,410 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #19 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Criticism
- #26 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Movements > Humanism
- #33 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Essays & Correspondence > Letters

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Jack

Delightful, Substantive, and Entertaining

January 28, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A delightful read for anyone who is courageous enough to question orthodoxy-- not in the narcissistic, jejune, social media ad hominem way-- but intelligently, supported by reason and knowledge of history. His prose in this little book can be remarkably elegant, and also downright hilarious:

"A few years ago, I decided in my own mind that the then-president [Bill Clinton] was even more of a crook and a liar than his most dogmatic ideological opponents had claimed."

"Some people can't bear solitude, let alone the idea that the heavens are empty and that we do not even succeed in troubling their deafness with our bootless cries [...] the concept of loneliness and exile and self-sufficiency continually bucks me up."

The two examples above show why he was truly a contrarian: Hitchens went after the cultural elite (Left) as well as the religious (Right). Thus, everyone listened to him, and everyone disagreed with him on something. I miss the guy's writing terribly, and love to go back to this book and read his eloquence and humor. These days, we all have our own little bubbles in which we reside, be that the ivory tower or talk radio, but Hitchens (1949-2011) was everywhere, ready to debate. Always ready.

In "Letters to a Young Contrarian," the author forms an intimate bond with the reader, discussing life in the most entertaining and substantive way. What a charming, intelligent writer. I recommend this book for anyone, regardless of their age.

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Virginia Woolf

Makes my spirit soar and my soul awaken that being different is more than okay, it's beautiful.

July 9, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

So far, I love this book. I highly recommend it for anyone struggling with being truly authentic and stead fast in their beliefs. More than that, 'Letters to a Young Contrarian' keenly and sharply addresses the need to belong and the fear of abandonment when stepping forward against all reason of the masses. I will keep this book close at hand to remind me that one person, even one thought made visible can make a difference despite others indifference or naysayer's.

His vocabulary is audacious. For those looking to expand their own vocabulary and writing skills Hitchens' offers the reader a wonderful opportunity to have a real dictionary in hand and discover the joy of exposition.

Thank you to my nephew, Shane who has shared his fondness for reading with me.

11 people found this helpful

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bookscdsdvdsandcoolstuff

I have learned much from this man

December 23, 2011

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I have learned a great deal from reading Christopher Hitchens. I would go so far as to say that psychologically reading Mr. Hitchens has helped make me saner, and helped me heal from the wounds of co-dependency. It is ironic that a man who was, essentially, a practicing and unapologetic alcoholic helped me heal from co-dependency, but there it is. Hitch-22: A Memoir perhaps shows why Hitchens was able to perform this service for so many of us.

As other reviewers have noted, the best thing we can do is to live "as if." To my mind, this is the most important message of this very fine book. We need to live "as if" repression did not exit. We need to live "as if" the thought of us saying "no" to something, or telling the truth and not lying, or actually being honest about our feelings, did not terrify us.

Almost as important as the above is this: if we care about civility and irenic discourse, then we darn well better also be comfortable with "combativity" and argument. The center is mealy mouthed more often than not, and if we are afraid to wade in and make a strong argument and defend it, then the center will be defined without our input, and the world may well be a poorer place for it. Of course, the danger here is we make our argument incompetently and look the fool. Therefore, it is also incredibly important to be extremely well read, have one's position clearly thought out, and be able to articulate it clearly. Hitchens, even drunk, seemed to have a preternatural ability to have virtually every text he had ever read at his fingertips, and he wasn't afraid to let you know what he thought no matter the consequences, and his position seems to emerge, whole, thought out, and defensible, without any effort. In this sense he was almost a journalistic version of Mozart.

And we can also not be afraid, even as we live "as if," to change our minds if presented with new information that requires us to. As the bumper sticker says: "if you can't change your mind, are you sure you still have one?" Hitch's transformation from full out critic of George W. Bush and everything he stood for to supporter of much of what President Bush was doing speaks to the ability to change one's mind, and to be a cogent thinker. "A foolish consistency is a hobgoblin of little minds..." or something like that. Hitch did not have a little mind.

I love Hitchens because he was one of the few modern thinkers who was not a mealy mouthed relativist. This man (unlike his colleague Dawkins) was philosophically and historically highly literate, and reading him was much more challenging as a result. Hitch was an absolutist, and a historian, and a journalist, and this made him very formidable and impressive. That, and he had great humanity made him downright lovable. He was luminous, and we are all poorer for the fact that he no longer walks on our earth.

Of course, his work is still with us. Hitchens had the writing and thinking ability of a G.K. Chesterton, or more appropriately, a George Bernard Shaw, and he will be remembered as long and as fondly by many.

This is a wonderful book, that should be read widely. Many would profit from the wisdom contained in these pages.

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Excellent author. Excellent book. You are greatly missed my dear Sir!

November 28, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I loved this book. Although I have not read a book by Christopher Hitchens that I did not like. While he is not everyone's cup of tea, it's pretty hard to find a reasoned argument against his positions that sticks. I couldn't put the book down. Finished it in two days and then immediately started another one of his books. His use of language and prose is quite enchanting and there's not a wasted word.

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Most recent customer reviews

Samantha Ewing

Advice from Hitchens; Worth a hundred times it's asking price

You just can't beat Christopher Hitchens. This is an exceptional book. If you're an atheist activist you undoubtedly know who Hitch was, and you really can't get any better than...Read more

Published 2 months ago

charles Bugni

Four Stars

Always a fine mind.

Published 2 months ago

Garrett

Amazing read.

Great writing and advice from one of the greatest contrarians of them all... I especially enjoyed the chapter about the genocide in Bosnia.

Published 3 months ago

Leib Gershon Mitchell

Very well and widely read, but still says nothing.

This is a terrible book.

If you have any experience (i.e., if you've ever heard of the stereotypical "fault finding man of words"), you can realize where the...Intellectuals: From Marx and Tolstoy to Sartre and Chomsky Read more

Published 4 months ago

The Great Atheismo

Arguably the most important thinker/writer/debater/etc. of the last 100 years

Everything Hitch wrote should be required reading for every human being. At least twice.

Published 4 months ago

Reese H.

Hitchens' wit and humor alone make this a worthy read ...

Hitchens' wit and humor alone make this a worthy read. He embeds wisdom in the midst of droll criticism of some of the most irrational ideologies.

Published 7 months ago

K. Feeney

Over my head

Yes, over my head for sure, but how else do we learn. I spent a little time having to look up many of the words used but again well worth my time and that minimal effort...Read more

Published 7 months ago

Amazon Customer

Some gems

Some gems to give structure to a considered life guided by freethinking.

Published 8 months ago

Brett Fischer

Hitchens Provides Great Insight

Great overview and jumping off point if you're looking to dive into Hitchens. You'll get a taste of his views on religion and politics and his writing and debating style as well.Read more

Published 9 months ago

sean

Hitch

It's Hitch !! -- What more do I need say

Published 11 months ago

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