Arguably: Essays by Christopher Hitchens

By: Christopher Hitchens

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 28 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

The first new collection of essays by Christopher Hitchens since 2004, Arguably offers an indispensable key to understanding the passionate and skeptical spirit of one of our most dazzling writers, widely admired for the clarity of his style, a result of his disciplined and candid thinking. Topics range from ruminations on why Charles Dickens was among the best of writers and the worst of men to the haunting science fiction of J.G. Ballard; from the enduring legacies of Thomas Jefferson and George Orwell to the persistent agonies of anti-Semitism and jihad.

Hitchens even looks at the recent financial crisis and argues for the enduring relevance of Karl Marx. The book forms a bridge between the two parallel enterprises of culture and politics. It reveals how politics justifies itself by culture, and how the latter prompts the former. In this fashion, Arguably burnishes Christopher Hitchens' credentials as - to quote Christopher Buckley - our "greatest living essayist in the English language."

©2011 Christopher Hitchens (P)2011 Hachette Audio

Love the Book; Hate the reading-- Way too fast

Would you try another book from Christopher Hitchens and/or Simon Prebble?

Hitchens puts a lot of thoughts into a few words; his economy of words make one want to enjoy the thought or, perhaps the way it is expressed by a master of English. But, alas, this is the first book I have encountered on Audible where the narrator spews out the words so fast that it is impossible to keep up with the author's train of thought, let alone appreciate the style of writing. Granted the hard cover book is rather large, but don't skimp on audio space by racing through the reading of the book...

After attempting to listen to this book, I had to go out and buy the hard cover. This is the first book I have had this issue with. I have listened to many of Hitchen's debates on my IPod and have had no issue when the author speaks himself. This is clearly the narrator scurrying hastily through the book. Do we get paid by the quantity of books narrated, so that a short book is paid the same as a lengthy tome like Arguably? Doubtable as this may be, it is the only possible reason I could see for the TV and radio-like

How could the performance have been better?

Read Slower. A lot slower.

Format was the only problem

Would you try another book from Christopher Hitchens and/or Simon Prebble?

I would and have.

Any additional comments?

My only concern is that the essays are not seekable by chapters. Skipping a chapter likely means I unintentionally skipped over two or three essays and landed in the middle of a third. This made book navigation very difficult and perhaps the first time I regretted getting an audio book.

I dare you to only listen once.

I have listened to this several times and will no doubt listen several more. because I learn something new that i missed on the last listen. I Love this book! and the narration is outstanding!

Hitch

A huge variety of essays and reviews very well performed. The reader’s tone is not dissimilar to hitchens’.

Excellent

This collection of essays gives us a supreme view of Hitchens' works. It is a must to have it

Intelligent and original

Hitchens provides intelligent and insightful essays with his original genius of analysis and writing. His range of subjects is deep and wide. One comes away smarter, but also envious of a dexterous and commanding mind and pen.

Eloquent and Intelligent

What did you love best about Arguably: Essays by Christopher Hitchens?

Hitchens' choice of words has always been a highlight to his articles. Considering the book is a collection of many of his articles, it goes without saying that the text will be full of wonder and clarity.

Who was your favorite character and why?

During his story of Taiwan, the introduction of the children there will forever stick in my mind. The book paints such an unfiltered, powerful image that, while reading, I had to take a few seconds to compose myself and journey on.

Have you listened to any of Simon Prebble’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was an excellent performance. I've not heard previous ones but, when comparing performances to listen to in the future, his Mr Prebble's name will certainly be the one that I choose when searching for books with multiple narrators.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The final chapters of the book bring good humor to the collection. This is a good thing, considering the previous chapters deal with sometimes drastic historical issues. I laughed heartily and, though no tears were actually shed while reading, they did well up and begin to protest their containment.

Any additional comments?

Considering Hitchens enjoyed using little phrases of multiple languages to drive home a point every now and then in an article, it might help to have an online translator handy so you can type in a phrase and fully understand what the author meant. This is a trademark Hitchens occurrence and takes place within almost every article. So, as Hitch might say, 'Se preparer.'

Grab it

These essays are extremely varied in subject matter and tone and make a worthy addition to the last Hitchens works recorded for audio (usually by the author but, given his current medical condition, this seems not really feasible right now even if Hitch is, far and away, his own best reader). There are lots of political essays, but a whole lot of his extended literary essays (many from The Atlantic and Vanity Fair), which are often an extraordinary pleasure, as well as being exceedingly well-judged. I am a lunatic for books like this, and this is now one of my favorite Audible offerings (this past year or so, others along the same lines include Tony Judt's Reappraisals and Simon Callow's A Life in Pieces, which you need to check out if you go for responsible left wing politics and theatre history, which are two preoccupations of mine.). The four stars ratings are only because Simon Prebble is wonderful, but isn't Hitch and because I would have chosen a few different essays. Otherwise, this is a true five-star, highly recommended selection. The price is also great, considering how much you get.
Keep this sort of thing up, please.

I miss Christopher Hitchens

I miss Hitchens. One can only imagine what he would have to say about Trump's presidency.

Such a brilliant mind and a spectacular gift of language.

Simon Prebble is on my ’top three’ list of great narrators.

Terrific book.

Gloomy book

The author’s negative outlook and his seemingly endless joy at correcting everyone. The author definitely would be canceled in today’s society.