Fausta's Blog

American and Latin American Politics, Society, and Culture

By

Christopher Hitchens 1949-2011

Christopher Hitchens—the incomparable critic, masterful rhetorician, fiery wit, and fearless bon vivant—died today at the age of 62. Hitchens was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the spring of 2010, just after the publication of his memoir, Hitch-22, and began chemotherapy soon after. His matchless prose has appeared in Vanity Fair since 1992, when he was named contributing editor.

(h/t Instapundit & Danelle)

Joy McAnn and Richard Fernandez are writing about him.

I remember his article waxing about the limits of the self-improvement culture.

UPDATE,
also via Danelle, Christopher Hitchens Dies: His Best Writing, Photos, and More

28262
Share

By

Christopher Hitchens on the freedom of speech

About the only thing worth reading at Vanity Fair is Christopher Hitchens’s column. Here is the most recent one,
Unspoken Truths
Until cancer attacked his vocal cords, the author didn’t fully appreciate what was meant by “a writer’s voice,” or the essential link between speech and prose. As a man who loved to talk, he turns to the masters of such conversation, both in history and in his own circle.

26206
Share

By

Hitchens has cancer

Christopher Hitchens has posted a brief note,

I have been advised by my physician that I must undergo a course of chemotherapy on my esophagus. This advice seems persuasive to me. I regret having had to cancel so many engagements at such short notice.

I wish him a full and complete recovery, and along with many of his readers hold him in my prayers – something which most probably irk him.

Commentary from Don Surber.

21367
Share

By

Ace tells what happened with Hitchens

Rumors have been flying about Hitchens’s mugging in Lebanon. Now Ace tells What Happened With Hitchens

First of all, there weren’t ten goons, but around six.

Second, the goon squad, and not just the look-out man, did in fact get to Hitchens. They knocked him down to the ground, kicked him while he was down, and stamped on his writing hand (which I’d known). I had thought they escaped the gang, but they didn’t, not quite; they got roughed up by them before a cabbie got them away.
…
Here’s what I know word-of-mouth about the Syrian Nazis: They’re actual Nazis, first of all, having taken inspiration from Hitler and sporting a modified swastika on their posters and flags. They’re a small party, I’m told. They had been banned years ago but are back, but not in force. There are about 300 of them (again, this is what I am told) and are more of a street-gang of bullyboys than an actual party. However, they have the backing of Syria, and they do, when called upon, murder people.

This was no “brawl”, this was an assault.

Lawrence Osborne has more at Forbes.

UPDATE
Mary, cross-posting at Solomonia, has photos of the area.

Digg!

Share on Facebook

Share