The Missionary Position

Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice

By: Christopher Hitchens, Thomas Mallon - foreword

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 2 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

"A religious fundamentalist, a political operative, a primitive sermonizer, and an accomplice of worldly secular powers. Her mission has always been of this kind. The irony is that she has never been able to induce anybody to believe her. It is past time that she was duly honored and taken at her word."

Among his many books, perhaps none have sparked more outrage than The Missionary Position, Christopher Hitchens's meticulous study of the life and deeds of Mother Teresa. A Nobel Peace Prize recipient beatified by the Catholic Church in 2003, Mother Teresa of Calcutta was celebrated by heads of state and adored by millions for her work on behalf of the poor. In his measured critique, Hitchens asks only that Mother Teresa's reputation be judged by her actions - not the other way around.

With characteristic élan and rhetorical dexterity, Hitchens eviscerates the fawning cult of Teresa, recasting the Albanian missionary as a spurious, despotic, and megalomaniacal operative of the wealthy who long opposed measures to end poverty, and fraternized, for financial gain, with tyrants and white-collar criminals throughout the world.

©1995 Christopher Hitchens (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Hitchens at his best!

Excellent, albeit relatively brief, analysis of the phenomenon that is Mother Teresa. Glad I purchased it. My only reservation was the production quality of the narration. It sounded as though it had been recorded once, and then edits inserted that were recorded under different conditions resulting in often times jarring changes in ambiance and tone. And while Simon Prebble is a laudable narrator, I would have preferred Mr. Hitchens himself.

Good, a little short though.

Very good, but would have liked a little more detail on day to day operations of various "charity" locations.

The world needs to hear this.

Religion has been used for thousands of years to manipulate the mASSes by others who don’t even believe what they are preaching. This sick and twisted woman was just one of probably millions that got away with it. Rest in peace Hitch. You’re greatly missed.

Everything Hitch touched turned to gold.

if you've ever seen him in person or on Youtube, you'll figure that his books have got to be equally as amazing. well, they are!

All Too Short

I really enjoyed this book, but it was too short for my liking. As the bible states, all have fallen short of the glory of God. Mother Teresa is certainly in this category and perhaps more so than most. Her dedication to dogma has resulted in nearly 5000 nuns in her order. All of whom project their poverty onto the poor wretches who find themselves in the"care" of these monsters. It's too bad that Hitchens was unable to follow the money... I bet that would have been very interesting indeed. The withholding of pain meds to those in their clutches is one of the most awful things I've ever heard of done in the name of religion and that's really saying something! We miss you Hitch!

all in all worthy book

Didn't liked non english interpolations in the book, I understand the wish to sound eloquent but english is not my first language and it is hard sometimes by itself without this french.

icon slaying

He definitely sheds, well deserved it seems, hardh light on an icon. An important reads for lovers of facts

She was an awful human being

This is a well researched and sharply put critique of an awful human being. Be warned, it's a really depressing read. Still, I say it should be mandatory high school reading. Religious frauds like her must not be allowed to torture the impoverished.

An absolutely fascinating "must read"

A most compelling, thoroughly researched and well presented accurate account of the institution of religion. Well done!

Theresa was a monster.

She was a woman so desperate to find her lost faith, she forced untold poor, sick and orphaned suffer needlesy.