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Why Orwell Matters Paperback – September 11, 2003

by Christopher Hitchens (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 848 ratings
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"Hitchens presents a George Orwell fit for the twenty-first century." --Boston Globe

In this widely acclaimed biographical essay, the masterful polemicist Christopher Hitchens assesses the life, the achievements, and the myth of the great political writer and participant George Orwell. True to his contrarian style, Hitchens is both admiring and aggressive, sympathetic yet critical, taking true measure of his subject as hero and problem. Answering both the detractors and the false claimants, Hitchens tears down the façade of sainthood erected by the hagiographers and rebuts the critics point by point. He examines Orwell and his perspectives on fascism, empire, feminism, and Englishness, as well as his outlook on America, a country and culture toward which he exhibited much ambivalence. Whether thinking about empires or dictators, race or class, nationalism or popular culture, Orwell's moral outlook remains indispensable in a world that has undergone vast changes in the seven decades since his death. Combining the best of Hitchens' polemical punch and intellectual elegance in a tightly woven and subtle argument, this book addresses not only why Orwell matters today, but how he will continue to matter in a future, uncertain world.
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  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    September 11, 2003
  4. Grade level
    8 and up
  5. Reading age
    13 years and up
  6. Dimensions
    5.31 x 0.56 x 8 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0465030505
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0465030507
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Not only a fine defense of Orwell's politics, but also the most stimulating introduction available to almost every other aspect of his work."―The Sunday Telegraph (London)

About the Author

Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011) was a prolific author, columnist, editor, and book critic, writing on issues ranging from politics, to religion, to the nature of debate itself. He was a regular contributor to the Atlantic Monthly, Vanity Fair, Slate, Harper's, and numerous other publications, as well as the recipient of the Lannan Literary Award for Nonfiction and the National Magazine Award. Hitchen's 2007 manifesto God Is Not Great was a #1 New York Times bestseller and National Book Award nominee.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Basic Books; Reprint edition (September 11, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0465030505
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0465030507
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 years and up
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.56 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 848 ratings

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Christopher Hitchens

Christopher Hitchens

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Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011) was the author of Letters to a Young Contrarian, and the bestseller No One Left to Lie To: The Values of the Worst Family. A regular contributor to Vanity Fair, The Atlantic Monthly and Slate, Hitchens also wrote for The Weekly Standard, The National Review, and The Independent, and appeared on The Daily Show, Charlie Rose, The Chris Matthew's Show, Real Time with Bill Maher, and C-Span's Washington Journal. He was named one of the world's "Top 100 Public Intellectuals" by Foreign Policy and Britain's Prospect.

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4.6 out of 5 stars
848 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be a masterpiece of insight, appreciating its well-researched approach. The writing style receives positive feedback, with one customer describing it as clear thought put to clear prose. Customers consider the book worth reading, with one noting it's required reading for college freshmen.

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28 customers mention "Writing style"23 positive5 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, finding it readable and amazing, with one customer noting its clear thought and prose, while another describes it as a comprehensive survey of Orwell's literary works.

"...Christopher Hitchens: is an amazing writing. Lest I be guilty of too much subjectivity, I'll provide some specifics so you can decide for yourself...." Read more

"...used to despise ... has written some books that are not only beautifully thought out ("god is not Great") but well thought out...." Read more

"...Every page reveals a new historical perspective on the great author. We find that Orwell never visited Russia or the US...." Read more

"...things, Orwell laid out some simple rules for straightforward, honest writing...." Read more

24 customers mention "Insight"24 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's insightful and well-researched approach, with one customer noting how it makes Orwell seem relevant.

"...This book succeeds amazingly in making Orwell seem relevant Not just relevant, Orwell is totally fascinating and intriguing. Who is "us"?..." Read more

"...are not only beautifully thought out ("god is not Great") but well thought out...." Read more

"...point of why Orwell matters (only indirectly) it was an interesting take on Orwell's life...." Read more

"If Hitchens wrote it, then you can be assured that it is meticulously researched...." Read more

18 customers mention "Value for reading"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth reading, with one mentioning it's required reading for college freshmen.

"...in making Orwell seem relevant Not just relevant, Orwell is totally fascinating and intriguing. Who is "us"?..." Read more

"...thing, Orwell matters because clear thought put to clear prose is a delight. Here Hitchens does Orwell proud...." Read more

"...was considerably less labyrinthine and so much more a pleasure to read...." Read more

"...Very entertaining, much more so than Orwell's novels which I find a bit depressing...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

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  • DMR008
    5.0 out of 5 stars witty, historical, intriguing
    Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I bought the ebook/Kindle edition and love it. Bravo to Amazon for carrying what the iBook store doesn't!!

    There are two people who figure prominently in this book. George Orwell (the subject) and Christopher Hitchens (the author)

    But first: Why read this book? This book attempts to answer the question, why should George Orwell -- his life and writings -- matter to us anymore? This book succeeds amazingly in making Orwell seem relevant Not just relevant, Orwell is totally fascinating and intriguing. Who is "us"? Probably, primarily, the English speaking parts of the world, But it is by no means limited to this. It is made imminently clear to us that Orwell matters to the U.S.S.R, to modern Russia, to Eastern and Western Europe, to Inida and the sub-continent, to Africa, to Spain, to intellectuals, to non-intellectuals, to anti-intellectuals.

    George Orwell: most of us know him merely as the author of 1984 and Animal Farm (this would include me). He is ever so much more. And he is considered in such high regard in so many other cultures (aside from the U.K. and the U.S.A) for so many compelling reasons. Reading this makes me want to reread the books mentioned above... and i will.

    Christopher Hitchens: is an amazing writing. Lest I be guilty of too much subjectivity, I'll provide some specifics so you can decide for yourself. The author is not necessarily easy to read. His vocabulary is inexhaustible, and he brings it all to bear on his subject. He contends -- like a bullfighter -- with the other authors who have written about George Orwell. He also reveals Orwell in his historical and cultural context so that we can better understand him. Consequently, this is a tour de force of England and Europe during the first half of the 20th century. Explored are topics that include the two world wars, colonialism, imperialism, capitalism, socialism, marxism, absolutism, tyranny, bigotry, slavery, ideology, feminism, and religion.

    I highly recommend this book and the digital format that I bought.

    I hope this helped.
    20 people found this helpful
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  • landru141
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this to Know ... Be blind otherwise
    Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    Hitchens ... a man I used to despise ... has written some books that are not only beautifully thought out ("god is not Great") but well thought out. In defense of Orwell, Hitchens pulls out all his big reverberating guns of literary criticism and biographical detail. Orwell is a man best understood in history rather than in his present, much like Kafka. However, Orwell also had many sides and that is something Hitchens understands too well (being and obvious man of many sides himself.)

    I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to delve into the biography of the great writer, the political polemics of his thoughts, the arguments against and for the world of Orwell's inner mind. Only a master could unearth this sort of dirt and clean on the great man, which makes him a great apologist or defender in some minds. As for me, I consider this work to be a masterful cynical retributive reaction against all the many millions of words written on Orwell (more than he ever got to write in his lifetime.)

    As for the penultimate chapter, I'd have to say that Hitchens did some cherry picking on the philosophic end. Orwell's philosophic bent is very much like his political: somewhere straddling the middle-way. He was a humanist and an individualist. Existential philosophy and analytical philosophy probably go hand in hand with his final masterpiece "Nineteen Eighty Four" ...

    Do we question an author's deeper motives in the final years of his life or do we merely appreciate him? Do we, as so many do these days, equate biography with art? I say no. But, Hitchens offers us the best defense possible and the absolute assault on the idiots that use this author's masterpiece to support their own ends.

    In short: If you want Orwell, you got it.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • BJ
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting semi-biography of Orwell
    Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Hitchens was obviously writing to the academic crowd and not to a wider audience--I have a graduate degree but had to sit with a dictionary at hand because he uses so many archaic and/or little-used words. Though I do not believe he ever got to the point of why Orwell matters (only indirectly) it was an interesting take on Orwell's life. One downside is that Hitchens was obsessed with Orwell's so-called "unexamined and philistine prejudice against homosexuality" including some similar remark in nearly every chapter. Why? Just because Orwell was English does automatically infer he should have either been a homosexual or accepting of the practice of it. How does Hitchens know it was an unexamined prejudice? And why is a mid-twentieth century position absolutely normal for the entirety of history (up until a few years ago) considered "philistine"? Interesting take, but I am not impressed with Hitchens--especially after all the build-up about him I read from various sources.
    15 people found this helpful
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  • María Inés
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
    Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2025
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    Uno de mis autores preferidos escribiendo sobre otro de mis autores preferidos.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Sharris
    5.0 out of 5 stars Rational and balanced read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    As clear, reflective and informed as all of Hitchen's writings. This book applied the fairness Orwell applys to his own writings in general and uses clearly backed up arguments. Enlightening and balanced critique, I have only recently discovered Christopher Hitchens and have no higher praise than to recommend an erudite writer whose content is equal to his style. A brilliant read.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on July 17, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    The best analysis of one of the most important authors in the English cannon.
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  • "Belgo Geordie"
    5.0 out of 5 stars A sound introduction to the thinking and times of Eric Blair
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 23, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    My bias is that I have been a long time admirer of George Orwell both as a writer and a socialist/humanist. At school in the late sixties both Animal Farm and 1984 were required reading. Even at 14, we got the politics of Animal Farm. Later in my early teenage years, it was Homage to Catalonia and Road to Wigan Pier that resonated. Lately it has been re-reading articles, essays and reviews for the enjoyment of his writing clarity and analysis. So I was not expecting Mr Hitchens' book to increase my thinking about Orwell. But it did. Yes, there was an initial salvo of bombast but this is a well constructed appreciation and test of Orwell as a writer, political person and human being. It is informative, critical thought at its best! Through this emerges Eric Blair, with flaws but a mighty heart and appetite for thought and people. Although it would be expected that George Orwell might well be a historical anachronism by now, he still remains relevant, if only by demonstrating the value of having a mind that tests orthodoxy and calling the unacceptable-unacceptable and telling you why. After reading this I went back and read Animal Farm and will revisit George Orwell's novels.
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  • Lucas S
    5.0 out of 5 stars HITCH. UNREAL BOOK
    Reviewed in Canada on March 31, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Hitch wrote this. Enough said. Pick it up.
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  • TERRANCE BRADLEY
    4.0 out of 5 stars book disappointed, but Amazon's supplier service was excellent
    Reviewed in Canada on October 12, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    continue my education of Orwellian philosophy
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