Christopher Hitchens 1949 - 2011

[Lateralthinking1]

Yes, I got to York in 1982. It was somewhat different than it was in Peter's day and much hope was attached to Shirley Williams.

However, modernization hadn't occurred. The buildings were pure early sixties, some of the posters hadn't been removed, the internal decoration was psychedelic, the Yardbirds and Steppenwolf were on the jukebox, Laurie Taylor was there and a bit godlike and Alex Callinicos was in the Politics Department.

There was definitely a strange hint of revolution still lingering in the air. I sensed it as much as I had felt WW2 in the clouds around 1965, however many flowers there were in the garden.

Coming back to Real World South in 1985 was a big shock. Even the front gardens looked like Margaret Thatcher and you could only tune in to Radio Blandsville. Half of it had been lost already but it has always left me with a bizarre kind of wonder.

[Mobson7]

Sad but expected news. A talented natural writer. Will second "we need more like him" over and over again.

[Stillhomewardbound]

I've rather picked up on the impression that this was a much admired figure who proved to be rather too contemptible for even his closest associates. Simon Jenkins starts his 'tribute' by hailing Hitchinson as a complete 'pain in the neck' while Simon Hoggart begins his by saying ... 'I'll come straight to the point'.

[amateur51]

I've rather picked up on the impression that this was a much admired figure who proved to be rather too contemptible for even his closest associates. Simon Jenkins starts his 'tribute' by hailing Hitchinson as a complete 'pain in the neck' while Simon Hoggart begins his by saying ... 'I'll come straight to the point'.

Two interesting men, the two Simons shb.

Take a look at their opening pages on amazon ....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Simon+Jenkins&x=0&y=0

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Simon+Jenkins&x=0&y=0#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Simon+Hoggart&rh=n%3A266239%2Ck%3ASimon+Hoggart

Two pages of hack-journalism and guidebooks.

No wonder neither of them could stand Hitch - he reminded them of how much they'd sold out their trade and their talent for an easy life

[John Skelton]

Surely the most moving of the many moving Hitch memorial pieces ever.

http://www.salon.com/2011/12/20/i_knew_christopher_hitchens_better_than_you/

[Richard Tarleton]

Interesting item on Newsnight last night - robust interview by James O'Brien of an American evangelical Christian claiming to be a friend of Hitchens who has who has written a book claiming CH was revising his position on faith as he approached death, and an entertaining response from a real friend. Begins around 31.30