Letters to a Young Contrarian

By: Christopher Hitchens

Narrated by: James Adams

From bestselling author and provocateur Christopher Hitchens, the classic guide to the art of principled dissent and disagreement

In Letters to a Young Contrarian, bestselling author and world-class provocateur Christopher Hitchens inspires the radicals, gadflies, mavericks, rebels, and angry young (wo)men of tomorrow. Exploring the entire range of "contrary positions"—from noble dissident to gratuitous nag—Hitchens introduces the next generation to the minds and the misfits who influenced him, invoking such mentors as Emile Zola, Rosa Parks, and George Orwell. As is his trademark, Hitchens pointedly pitches himself in contrast to stagnant attitudes across the ideological spectrum. No other writer has matched Hitchens's understanding of the importance of disagreement—to personal integrity, to informed discussion, to true progress, to democracy itself.

Another Great Work

Another great work by a man who is sorely missed. A man whose logic and reasoning defied the most vile religious zealots. The world is truly less of a place with his loss. I wish I could know his thoughts on current events that plague us. To here his wisdom and advice once again.

Great book by great mind

I enjoyed listening to this rather short but well-written book that gives the listener a brief and informative idea about the writer who was one of the prominent intellectuals of our time.

Independent Thinkers & Those Seeking Truth

For those disgusted and exhausted with the extreme anti-intellectualism of party politics, this is for you. Speak your mind or you will lose it. The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.

There are days when I miss my old convictions as if they were an amputated limb. But in general I feel better, and no less radical, and you will feel better too, I guarantee, once you leave hold of the doctrinaire and allow your chainless mind to do its own thinking.

Gone but not forgotten ❤️

I have always loved hitch's style. I wish it would have be narrated by the man himself, but I could still feel his humor and style.

One of the most important books..

I read it at least twice a year. And so should you. You will not regret having done so. Especially during these tumultuous times.

Hitch at his best

Well written and eloquently articulate - everything you’d expect from Christopher Hitchens. I highly recommend it to anyone that is open to objective reasoning and the notion of looking at our world from different perspectives.

Awesome!

It feels like he’s talking to you. Such a great man of integrity. I recommend for anyone who enjoys logic, reason and well read authors.

Hitch's Rants Never Get Old

Letters to a Young Contrarian is presented as a series of letters to a "X" and these letters pretty much sum Hitchens' views on a variety of topics with the underlying theme of being a moral upstanding citizen by being a contrarian in the face of the many ills of the world, or at least what he considers to be the ills of the world. He's here to stir the pot, and does so eloquently.

He attacks any number of subjects and takes down anyone and everyone, from religion, Bill Clinton, Kissinger, the Dalai Lama, and many others. A true contrarian. I especially like this letter about the Bosnian War which he discusses at length. I was too busy with life during this period of time and did not understand the motivations of the actors and the horrors which took place. Hitch traveled everywhere and when he wrote about something is was often times based on his first hand experience. It's a shame he's still not with us to comment on the current state of American politics and international crises.

Like the other Hitch books I've read, there are countless great pithy quotes and scathing commentary. He was often hilarious and always as sharp as a tack. Even if you don't agree with all of this opinions, one must appreciate how well he writes and gets his points across. He will make you reconsider your views of a number of subjects. Any fan of Hitch has probably read some of the subject matter contained in this book previously in other works, but to us fans it never gets old. Otherwise, for someone new to Hitch, this would be a good, short introductory read which allows the reader a look inside the head of this brilliant, prolific writer and get an idea what made him so highly regarded on the speaking, debate, and TV guest circuits.

A wonderful compendium with a few items of genius do you want to read/listen to it again

Hitchens never ceases to illuminate with insightful argument, eloquence prose and brilliance of wit. His references always make me search for more, and realize how thinly read I am.

Fantastic fodder for the mind

Always enjoy Hitchens and his dialectic musings. The end kinda shuffled out to the political isthmus, but the book itself was one to enjoy in the reflection of his direction.