Being a renowned contrarian, polemicist, philosopher, journalist, and of course a bestselling writer, not forgetting an avid, out spoken socialist, and some would say champion of the working class; Hitchens' career has spanned the width and breadth of the earth, writing numerous best sellers such as “God is Not Great” and “Thomas Jefferson: Author of America” as well as regularly contributing to both Vanity Fair and The New Statesman.
If religious instruction were not allowed until the child had attained the age of reason, we would be living in a quite different world. -God is Not Great.
His unique style of indignant vehemence, gained him adoration from both friend and foe alike, never being one to back down from any struggle he felt strongly about. Hitchens was also one of the few political figures at the time that supported the decision to invade/liberate Iraq, seeking those illusive weapons of mass destruction, never faltering in his resolve that is was the right thing to do.
I've composed a list of five things that may surprise you about the legend himself; both in the negative and the positive, they stand as a testament to his provocative yet enchanting character.
- He’s probably the only man in recorded history to be spanked by Margaret thatcher. Now most days I wish this was not true, but nay. Life is rarely that forgiving. Not long after Margaret Thatcher’s ascension into power, Christopher had the pleasure/misfortune, depending I suppose, on your political denomination, of meeting the fair lady. Being the type of man that he was, he immediately picked a fight with the fearsome Iron lady over a point regarding Britain’s political stance on Rhodesian/Zimbabwean policy.After Hitchens conceded on a point, the Prime Minister then instructed him to bow, and then to “bow lower”. Calmly paced to his rear, pulled out a parliamentary order-paper and spanked him on the behind; exclaiming “naughty boy.” Knowledge I find is sometimes a double edged sword; it can be both beautiful… and piercingly horrific.
- During the Salman Rushdie scandal around his work ‘The Satanic Verses’ and the subsequent Fatwa declared against him. Christopher became an indefatigable ally, declaring it a matter of free speech and to be defended at all costs. Even taking Salman into his own home at a time when there had been repeated assignation attempts. He immediately understood that the conflict was considerably bigger than just one man, it was a war against fanaticism, violence and bigotry itself.Indeed across the entire Muslim world, writers and journalists and artists were being censored; accused of causing blasphemy and offence and literary expression itself was at stake. I feel Rushdie himself summarizes him best here in Vanity Fair.
“He was an intellectual with the instincts of a street brawler” - There aren't many journalists out there that back up their beautifully crafted, intellectual opinions with genuine action; Christopher however is one such splendid exception. I'm not sure if you’re all familiar with ‘water-boarding’ it’s a term applied to a rather unsavoury torture method, which employs continual submersions against your volition, which has the effect of simulating drowning.After Vanity Fair asked numerous journalists and reporters to undertake water-boarding. Hitchens was one of the few who agreed and not only went through with it, but immediately asked for it to be repeated so he could improve his time. This level of divine stupidity deserves our universal respect.
4. You remember that religious icon? That living saint and Nobel prise winner Mother Teresa? That untouchable symbol of mercy and indeed human charity itself? Well, apparently Hitchens did not get that memo. He was highly scornful of her stances on contraception, female empowerment, and indeed attempted to expose her as a fraud and fanatic until his last breath. Controversial would be an understatement, judgement I will leave to the reader.
5. Changing Sides
Historically a staunch defender of the Left (socialist), towards the end of his life he defected, becoming a neo-conservative. Despite his working class roots and love for all things red ;) Throughout his career he had received considerable criticism for the way in which he would change his position as new information became available.
For me this is an essential attribute of greatness, to not become dogmatic, get bogged down and ignore one’s rationale. Although I do not agree with many of his political stances, I nevertheless respect his commitment to reason immensely. Although I'm certain he would not think so, I acknowledge his tremendous courage and morn his passing as an astoundingly astute mind and a warrior for all things human.
I feel it's only appropriate to end with the man himself; here's my favourite quote, suitable for any social occasions.
"The four most over-rated things in life are champagne, lobster, anal sex and picnics."
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