Cultural Amnesia

Notes in the Margin of My Time

By: Clive James

Narrated by: Clive James

Abridged for audio. Read by the author, Clive James.

With fascinating essays on towering figures from Anna Akhmatova to Stefan Zweig, via Charles de Gaulle, Hitler, Thomas Mann and Wittgenstein, Cultural Amnesia is one of the crowning achievements in Clive James's illustrious career as a critic.

A comprehensive survey of modern culture, Cultural Amnesia is Clive James' unique take on the places and the faces that shaped the twentieth-century. From Anna Akhmatova to Stefan Zweig, via Charles de Gaulle, Hitler, Thomas Mann and Wittgenstein, this varied and unfailingly absorbing book is both story and history, both public memoir and personal record – and provides an essential field-guide to the vast movements of taste, intellect, politics and delusion that helped to prepare the times we live in now.

©2008 Clive James (P)2008 Macmillan Digital Audio

Critic reviews

"Clever, and funny....a wonderful book for a long afternoon in a left-bank cafe, or a transatlantic plane ride." (The Observer)

"On virtually every page, there is an arresting sentence, witty or profound." (Mail on Sunday)

"It's clever, contentious and funny (like its author). His scope is impressive." (Guardian)

Learning with relaxed pleasure

Bill Deresiewicz pointed me to Clive James' charming and intelligent survey of a life of reading, writing and reflection. I learned a lot of things I didn't know, whether Tony Curtis real name or more earth shattering events. It feels random, but behind every piece of his work is a serious mind wrestling with the world of humans.

Very enjoyable and well narrated

I'm usually not a big fan of authors' narration of their own work-I usually prefer more professional readings- but Clive James' reading of his own work was excellent and very enjoyable. I found the book fascinating from the preface right through the last essay. I only wish the version were unabridged.

The essays were both thought-provoking and insightful. They have already sent me back to many of the texts discussed with enhanced understanding and appetite.

This was a fascinating addition to my audio library and so engaging I never missed a beat though driving for hours at a time on a long commute.

Would love a non-abridged version

I have the hardcopy and just wanted to have an audio version because I can’t find the time to read. I was disappointed to realize that this is abridged - instead of the 100+ biographies in the actual book, this audiobook has 24.

I wish it were unabridged

I don't usually listen to unabridged texts, so this was a happy accident. Clive James is an excellent reader of his own work. His thought provoking commentary has broadened my literary and cultural horizons. I wish I could have heard all of it.

Abridged but excellent

Would love to have the complete book. Fine narration—seems to capture Clive James’s tone.

A great treasure

This book is a wonderful, entertaining collection of descriptions of a collection. I didn't know all the people described. Along the way I enjoyed learning a hell of a lot even about the ones I thought I did know. Clive James is the master narrator. He connects stories, intertwines histories and has an amazing insight into the abundance of literary styles and influences.

Thank you Clive

I was given this book as a paperback and failed to find time to read it. However Audible gave me a second chance. First impression is this is a collection of tales about famous cultural artists. It is not. It is a corridor, and each chapter is a door, which will encourage you to remember to go home and watch the film or read the book. I will buy Alan Moreheads "African Trilogy" and I will watch Gillo Pontecorvo's "The battle for Algiers" and will be slightly better for it.

Thank you Clive

The only downside is the Audible book is not every chapter of the paperback - so I guess I will have to read them!

Rambling but quaint

Like listening to your grandfather tell you what he remembers about celebrities of his time. Not particularly well researched - or some relevant context omitted. The ending seems blindingly naive in 2025.

Don't buy this audio book

Would you try another book from Clive James and/or Clive James?

The book , writer and story is amazing but this audio book doesn't have all the chapters. Its so frustrating and time taking to find one person's story
This id not categorized by name but buy chapters 1, 2 ,12 ans so on who knows what in chapter 1

What do you think your next listen will be?

nope I would rather buy a book

Any additional comments?

It confuses me and I have wasted hell lot of time finding just about Octavio Paz and couldn't find it. It just doesn't cover the book... It sucks