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Hitch-22
- A Memoir
- Narrated by: Christopher Hitchens
- Length: 17 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Art & Literature
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Cognitive scientist Professor Steven Pinker has spent his life thinking about thinking, and now he wants us to join him. With the aid of his critical thinking toolkit, he hopes to help us make smarter choices, become more rational, gain a greater understanding of the confused world we live in—and maybe even become better citizens. In this fascinating series, produced in partnership with the Open University, he examines the different ways the human brain can be tripped up, from understanding probability to the difference between correlation and causation.
Publisher's Summary
In this long-awaited and candid memoir, Hitchens re-traces the footsteps of his life to date, from his childhood in Portsmouth, with his adoring, tragic mother and reserved Naval officer father; to his life in Washington DC, the base from which from he would launch fierce attacks on tyranny of all kinds. Along the way, he recalls the girls, boys and booze; the friendships and the feuds; the grand struggles and lost causes; and the mistakes and misgivings that have characterised his life.
Hitch-22 is, by turns, moving and funny, charming and infuriating, enraging and inspiring. It is an indispensable companion to the life and thought of our pre-eminent political writer.
Narrated by Christopher Hitchens himself shortly before his untimely death, this is a poignant listening experience.
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What listeners say about Hitch-22
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- W. Stokeley
- 27-02-2018
Tour De Force but rebalance your speakers
Firstly I want to say an objective analysis of this book for me is impossible. I came to Hitchens through YouTube I think and vía Dawkins and Carl Sagan. I had been an agnostic before - but he hooked me on the atheist bent. When I finished god is not great, hitch 22 was the next step for me.
I owe hitch a great personal debt. In 2017 he revolutionised my life, leading me away from the self improvement tomes which were pretty much the only books I was reading - into a new world of critical thought, philosophy (though I had dabbled with this before), literature, politics and poetry.
I am now a WH Auden fan. I listen to classical music, and Gilbert and Sullivan. I have read David Hume, Lucretius, Marx and more. My to read list is populated by Hitch’s suggestions. Partially due to his influence, and the influence of others in my life i went back to university and started studying my masters degree. I met my girlfriend there. My politics started shifting from the traditional conservative area that I had associated with to more to the left, although I suspect that in his later years hitch would have not made too much of this. Crucially hitch has taught me to rediscover my critical faculties which have laid dormant for over 10 years and my love of the written word. He taught me the dialectic, the didactic and critical tenacity I owe him everything for my own personal renaissance.
If he can do that for me, imagine what he can do for you. This book tells you about the events, the politics and crucially the books that moulded him. Grasp the lessons that you can. It merits a second go, though I’m likely to do it with the hard copy next time to actually grasp more of the lessons to be squeezed out of it.
This is the only book I’ve ever awarded five stars. It should be part of your library.
One caveat - hitch’s baritone is so lovely, but it is so bassy the reverberations made it a difficult listen on a set of Bose speakers. I think the producers could’ve done a slightly better job with the balancing of the audio in what is otherwise a fantastic book.
10 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 12-02-2018
An utterly audible treat.
Candid, unyieldingly honest, raw, moving, peppered with hilarity. I loved Hitch-22. Hitch's presence in this world is sorely missed today...
2 people found this helpful
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- ST
- 13-08-2019
A bit of a slog, even for a fan
OK I like Hitchens but getting through this was a struggle.
There's occasional brilliant moments, like his hilarious description of bartering with a ruthless streetwalker and the sexual escapades of his youth (swinging both ways).
However these great moments are outweighed by many tedious accounts of interactions with various leftists or political players who were relevant in the 70s or 80s in the UK and the US. Unless you have a particular interest in the politics and journalism of many decades past, you'll probably find large tracts of this book dull.
1 person found this helpful
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- Matthew
- 07-04-2015
The cup overflows
If only he'd narrated more before he left the party..
Ten words remaining whoever thought there should be a minimum word count??
3 people found this helpful
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- Elizabeth C
- 11-05-2022
Great book but not as audio
Unfortunately I have had to give up this book, not because it wasn’t any good but because of the audio. The intonations and fluctuations in volume make it just too hard a listen. Not wanting to miss a word (everything he says is valuable) I was constantly rewinding and adjusting the volume. I will read the hardcover.
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- Anonymous User
- 22-08-2021
Casual and Serious Readers
Took a bit to get into but not nessacerry to get all done at once. Makes you question what being a contrarian is and that he isnt one but more a force against totalitarianism.
People need to be able to question things and the tools need to stay in place to do that.
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- Colm
- 28-01-2021
Hitch 22
The story told here was excellent. Very interesting man, written in a fiercely beautiful style. Unfortunately (for me) at times however it was a bit above my head. The only negitive and it is big one, is the audio recording. I understand his voice would probably be audio engineers nightmare to record, but I would have thought a much better job could have been done. Having said that.... I'd pay for it again anyway even if the audio wasn't perfect.
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- Ala
- 21-12-2020
Few people whose voice is as sorely missing
Moved and a little heartbroken to listen to the Hitch narrate his autobiography from behind the grave.
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- Steve
- 22-10-2020
Sorely missed
Fantastic book full of dry whit and insight. Given what’s happening in our world today, I find myself wishing Hitch was still around to guide us through the chaos.
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- Johan Westerdahl
- 10-09-2020
Loved it!
Nothing Hitchens does is ever boring!
-Sam Harris
The above is a great summary of my pleasant surprise with this book. I've seen many interviews with Hitchens on the topic of it, but it's delivered in a great way and it was much more interesting than I expected.
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- Ross
- 29-03-2012
MASTERFUL & REVEALING
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes, yes, yes. It is a fabulous example of the value of a deep education, an insight into a brilliant mind and an honest walk in the shoes of a less than perfect but incredibly timely, talents, fortunate and authentic individual.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Hitch-22?
There are numerous memorable moments but I would choose Hitch's narrative of the funeral of Mark Daily as one that has securely implanted itself in my mind.
Which scene was your favorite?
His vivid description of the approach to Malta with his mother as a child.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Hitch22 - erudite, eloquent and honest - the powerful life of an idealist.
Any additional comments?
In writing this review I am concerned that my feeble abilities may reflect poorly upon the subject. Hitch 22 is worth 'reading' even if the person or topic does not interest you purely for the quality of the writing. I normally listen to books on 2 or 3 times normal speed, Hitch packs so much content and meaning into each sentence that I had to listen to this, at least the first time, at normal speed and replay sections just to hear it again for deep effect. Hitch narrated with presence and sincerity. By listening to this book as opposed to reading it I feel I gained another dimension of or connection to who he was. This is a unique method of leaving your mark on the world and mark well worth the leaving. Well lived Hitch.
5 people found this helpful
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- mahoneko
- 12-07-2014
Essential: The memoir of super-literate dissident
What did you love best about Hitch-22?
The way he takes us through the last 60 odd years cutting away the nonsense, smoke and mirrors and infighting hidden truths, conspiracy and corruption.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Obviously Hitchens himself.
Have you listened to any of Christopher Hitchens’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
Actually his performance on his God is Great book is a little better, but obviously he was ill when he narrated this memoir, it is still a delight to hear him narrate it himself, he was one of the best public speakers.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
A very British American Dissident.
2 people found this helpful
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- Ian
- 06-09-2012
Hitchens history, Hitchens words, read by Hitchens
I know there should be apostrophes in the "Hitchens"es in the title. But Audible wouldn't give me space and I couldn't bring myself to call him Hitch. Because I don't know him well enough and very sadly I now never will. So I chose bad punctuation over disrespect.
If you love Hitchen's writing, which I do. And love his speaking, which I do. Then you will love this work. The biography of a clever, witty and educated man spoken by himself is always going to be an interesting read and this is. The only downside is that I had to keep stopping it because it made me sad to realise that the supply of thought from this man has been cut short.
If you don't like Hitchens ideas or the way he expresses them then quite frankly you will hate this book with a passion. Good. Real thought is not meant to be easy and real ideas require work. The problem is that the people who will hate this work the most will do so without ever reading it.
Starting from his childhood and dealing openly with his schoolboy experiences , his family and the beginning of his political thinking, Hitchens reveals himself to be a very human set of contradictions. He speaks warmly of favoured authors and people who he touches along the way. There is enough soul searching to be interesting and enough lack of cod psychology to be refreshing. He tells it the way he sees it and explains why he sees it that way.
There is some slightly boring stuff about the literary circle he moved in and literary people he meets. Its interesting enough in small doses but there are sections where it goes on a bit and has a quality of "You probably needed to be there" about it. But at the end of the day that is the man. He is literary to his boots except when he is political.
And the politics is interesting. Always leftist (whatever that means) he shows that his actual politic compass was always pointed at attacking totalitarianism in any of its many forms and that sometimes meant that the lesser of two evils still looked evil from the outside. The passages dealing with his road to US citizenship are fascinating.
There is relatively little about Hitchens high profile contribution to the rationalist atheist movement. If you want to hear Hitchens on religion then buy a copy of "God is not Great". (No - I mean it - buy a copy - he reads that too and its marvellous).
All in all this is a work that I will listen to again and again. As much because it feels just a tiny bit like it gives me the privilege of spending a little time with a careful thinker who I shall never meet.
2 people found this helpful
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- jammer
- 14-05-2015
The amazing Christopher Hitchens
Just get it. You will learn stuff. The mans life and knowledge is very compelling as one of the worlds best orators and thinkers. Highly recommended.
1 person found this helpful
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- Roger Morris
- 27-01-2015
Fantastic!
Any additional comments?
A fascinating and highly entertaining memoir of a extremely interesting and multifaceted public intellectual. Hitchens is a fine and inspiring example of the value of a broad education in literature and the humanities, as well as an excellent advertisement for being well and broadly read in both the classics and contemporary literature. Highly recommended!
1 person found this helpful
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- Felix Del Barrio
- 12-04-2013
A masterful memoir
If you could sum up Hitch-22 in three words, what would they be?
The Horse's Mouth
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
An amazing recollection of the boy from Irvine who took Christopher's views to heart.
Any additional comments?
A great book
1 person found this helpful
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- robin
- 07-05-2021
Brilliant
One slight issue is that the audio istn't as clear and the other audio books I've listened too, but it's still good enough. Great story teller, I recommend it highly.
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- Adrian
- 21-10-2017
Hitch is great.
The world is little less without Hitch. He was a champion of social justice and liberalism. Both a vociferous and eloquent voice of reason. His life story is fascinating, yet it is ironic sadly that he penned his autobiography unaware of his pending fate.
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- Dj Shelwell
- 07-08-2016
A must hear if you love Hitch
Can get quite obscure but to have his story & insights spoken by his own voice is fantastic
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- CCW
- 18-09-2012
Tour De Force
I lament the ending of this audio master-piece, made superbly personal by the voice of Hitch himself. What a wonderful man, and what a marvellous contribution to call for sanity in a mad and cruel world. Truly one of my hero's. So much better in audio format as well when read by the author. So very personal for the listener. I wish I had known this human being who's self deprecating honesty is a tonic to me, and a rare trait in one so gifted.
31 people found this helpful
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- Penny
- 18-06-2016
Honest but difficult listening
I was always engaged in the unfolding story of C.H. and his family - a very honest and revealing memoir of an interesting life. His was no ordinary life, living in a world where elitism is the norm, the world of private schools and Oxford, rubbing shoulders with influential people. However, you get the feeling that despite inhabiting the 'dreaming spires' he was a decent bloke at heart. I feel bad complaining about the narration of this audiobook as it is done by the author, and who could better that? But his voice rises and falls away over the course of phrases and sentences and I completely lost a lot of it - I found at times I was just about yelling at him to 'speak up'!! Sorry - I'm a fan and have great respect for his writings but C.H. is not a good narrator.
33 people found this helpful
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- Sean Inglis
- 30-01-2014
Wide ranging, erudite and opinionated
Anyone looking for a biography / memoir of Christopher Hitchens probably has a decent idea what they're in for, so there's little point in dwelling on his opinions and analyses as such.
However the background describing how he came to be were he was is well told, entertaining and at least appears even-handed.
A fair bit of clever wordplay without being too clever for it's own good and, if you're anything like me, it'll have you entertained scuttling down various rabbit holes to follow up references.
The performance / recording is a bit more problematic.
In general terms, he has a great voice, and who better to understand how it should be stressed and delivered than the author?
However within that delivery there are issues; he has a tendency to start off a sentence in a booming and declarative way, but finish in the equivalent of an off-hand or conspiratorial whisper.
This means that in situations where there was any ambient noise - walking the dog for instance - it was impossible to achieve a comfortable volume and the experience degenerated into an exercise in constant swearing, rewinding, adjustment and replaying.
In the end, I gave up attempting to listen in anything other than ideal conditions, and that improved the experience by leaps and bounds. Maybe best listened to and reflected upon in that way anyway.
26 people found this helpful
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- jayne gwilt
- 10-06-2018
dull
inaudible mumbling. monotone dull. may be an interesting story but.... ....Not for me thanks
6 people found this helpful
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- GUT1967
- 28-08-2020
Gone, but never forgotten.
I am that sad individual that has never grown out of the love of being read to. Now at the age of nearly 53 I do it a little different to most, I buy the audio book...and the physical book...WHY? because I can see it, and hear it. What is there that I can say about this audio book? for me the greatest thing is that it is Hitch, read by Hitch, nothing else needs to be said.
4 people found this helpful
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- flying_fin
- 16-01-2016
AKA the death of a radical
If you could sum up Hitch-22 in three words, what would they be?
The life of a great raconteur, journalist and public intellectual as a backdrop for musing on every philosophical and political topic and major event of historical importance imaginable. He name-drops wildly, but not for effect: he really was best friends with Martin Amis, knew Ian McEwan, Salman Rushdie, Gore Vidal. Susan Sontag etc. etc. He charts his beginnings from public school communist to an eventual slide to the right and becoming a non-pacifist and supporter of the war in Iraq, without losing his sense of outrage at the worst aspects of neo-con policies, bigotry, inequality and despotism.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Hitch-22?
His accounts of riotously funny lunches with Kingsley Amis, Clive James and Martin Amis et al. Also his stories of life at an English boarding school were an eyeopener. Too many great stories to recount here.
Any additional comments?
My only criticism of the book is that sometimes Hitchens sounds a bit bored with himself whilst reading his autobiography. His voice sometimes trails away and it was sometimes hard to hear what he was saying.
9 people found this helpful
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- Chris
- 21-05-2012
I Really Miss Hitch
This excellent autobiography has now become too complete a work following Hitchens death in November 2011.
Written with wit and I think understated modesty this book shows a reflection of the man I hope existed. Not knowing him one can never be sure.
An excellent read, especially for a biography - a genre which I'm very selective with.
12 people found this helpful
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- chris
- 13-12-2012
Life changing
This book should be a cold shower shock to most people who read it. The depiction of a life lived at full speed with a humbling thirst for truth and progressive thought is orated beautifully by the man himself. As this paragraph is meant to be a book review and not an opinion page about the mans politics as some below have cheaply used, I would advise that if you are intrigued by the beginnings and origins of one of the worlds greatest minds and writers, then this is simply unmissable. The combination of integrity and eloquence make this a book I was heartbroken to have reached the end of.
3 people found this helpful
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- Stephen
- 01-03-2012
How to be a Literatary and Polemic Genius
Christophers life as recorded in this book answers the question. With great honesty Christopher reviews the parts of his life that formed his opinions and world view. The answer to the question is to read deeply and widely. Returning to the same books at different times of life. TheTo also actually go and visit these places and talk with the participants. To become part of the debate. To get to the know the participants truely one must drink with them; long into the night and still be able to keep your wits about you. Christopher was a master at this. Hearing Christophers own voice reading the book made the listen personal and meaning filled. Worth every penny and every second spent listening and relistening.
3 people found this helpful
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- Julia Bonner
- 26-01-2019
Not Hitch’s best work.
Hitch was a genius. A brilliant mind and a brilliant writer but his memoir was not his best work.
2 people found this helpful
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