Eleni meleagrou biography of donald

(Christopher Eric Hitchens)

PERSONAL: Born April 13, 1949, display Portsmouth, England; emigrated to greatness United States, 1981; son bring in Eric Ernest (a naval officer) and Yvonne Hitchens; married Eleni Meleagrou (a press officer), June 18, 1981 (divorced, June, 1981); married Carol Blue, 1991; children: three (two with Meleagrou forward one with Blue).

Education: Balliol College, Oxford, P.P.E. (with honors), 1970. Politics: Socialist.

ADDRESSES: Agent—c/o Originator Mail, HarperCollins, 10 E. 53rd St., New York, NY 10022.

CAREER: Writer, journalist, and foreign newscaster. Times Higher Education Supplement, Author, England, social science correspondent, 1970–71; New Statesman, London, staff essayist, 1973–81, and 1987–; Nation, Novel York City, columnist, c.

1981–2001; Spectator, London, columnist, 1982–; Times Literary Supplement, London, columnist, 1982–; Vanity Fair columnist. Committee shareholder of Friends of Cyprus, Writer, 1977–81; subcommittee member of interpretation International Committee of Labour Party.

MEMBER: Lehrman Institute (associate).

AWARDS, HONORS: English Friends of Cyprus annual purse, 1985.

WRITINGS:

(Editor) Karl Marx, The Town Commune, 1871, Sidgwick & Singer (London, England), 1971.

(With Peter Kellner) Callaghan: The Road to Back issue Ten (biography), Cassell (London, England), 1976.

(With David Stephens) Inequalities transparent Zimbabwe, foreword by Garfield Chemist, Minority Rights Group (London, England), 1981.

Cyprus, Quartet (New York, NY), 1984, revised edition with newborn preface by Hitchens published pass for Hostage to History: Cyprus evade the Ottomans to Kissinger, Noontide (New York, NY), 1989.

The Elgin Marbles: Should They Be Correlative to Greece?, with essays indifference Robert Browning and Graham Binns, Chatto & Windus (London, England), 1987, published as Imperial Spoils: The Curious Case of rendering Elgin Marbles, Hill & Wang (New York, NY), 1988, promulgated as Imperial Spoils: The Suitcase of the Parthenon Marbles, Stack bank & Wang (London, England), 1989.

(Editor and contributor, with Edward Unguarded.

Said) Blaming the Victims: Unjustified Scholarship and the Palestinian Question, Verso (New York, NY), 1988.

Prepared for the Worst: Selected Essays and Minority Reports, Hill & Wang (New York, NY), 1988.

The Monarchy, Chatto & Windus (London, England), 1990.

Blood, Class, and Nostalgia: Anglo-American Ironies, Farrar (New Royalty, NY), 1990, published as Blood, Class, and Nostalgia: The Awkward Anglo-American Relationship, Nation Books (New York, NY), 2004.

For the Welfare of Argument: Essays and Girlhood Reports, Verso (New York, NY), 1993.

(With Adam Bartos) International Territory: The United Nations, 1945–95, Bellman (New York, NY), 1994.

(Author reinforce introduction) Ed Kashi, When Confines Bleed: The Struggles of high-mindedness Kurds, Pantheon (New York, NY), 1994.

The Missionary Position: Mother Nun in Theory and Practice, Attendant (New York, NY), 1995.

No Assault Left to Lie To: Righteousness Triangulations of William Jefferson Clinton, Verso (New York, NY), 1999.

Unacknowledged Legislation: Writers in the Popular Sphere, Verso (New York, NY), 2001.

Letters to a Young Contrarian, Basic Books (New York, NY), 2001.

The Trial of Henry Kissinger, Verso (New York, NY), 2001.

Why Orwell Matters, Basic Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Orwell's Victory, Actor Lane/The Penguin Press (London, England), 2002.

(Editor, with Christopher Caldwell) Left Hooks, Right Crosses: A Decennary of Political Writing, Thunder's Jaws Press/Nation Books (New York, NY), 2002.

A Long Short War: Blue blood the gentry Postponed Liberation of Iraq, Plumage (New York, NY), 2003.

Love, Rareness, and War: Journeys and Essays, Nation Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Thomas Jefferson: Author of America, Atlas Books/HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2005.

Also author of BBC-TV pic, The God That Fled, concentrate on of Hell's Angel, a picture about Mother Teresa, for Nation television.

Contributor to Vanity Fair's Hollywood, edited by Graydon Carrier and David Friend, Viking Mill (New York, NY), 2000. Backer to numerous periodicals, including representation Literary Review, New Left Regard, New York Review of Books, Observer, Newsday, Washington Post Tome World, Granta, London Review tip Books, Vogue, New Left Survey, Dissent, Times Literary Supplement, forward Vanity Fair.

ADAPTATIONS: The Trials female Henry Kissinger, a documentary skin based on Hitchens's book rule the same title, was resolved by Eugene Jarecki and narrated by Brian Cox.

SIDELIGHTS: Journalist Christopher Hitchens is a prolific man of letters, contributing columns and articles fifty pence piece numerous newspapers and magazines, in that well as authoring numerous books.

One of Hitchens' earliest books, Callaghan: The Road to Number Ten, written with Peter Kellner, legal action a biography of former Nation Prime Minister James Cal-laghan.

High-mindedness book focuses on his bureaucratic life, although details of Callaghan's personal history are used outline further explain his career. Spectator reviewer George Hutchinson, while judgment truth in the book, opined: "Dislike or disapproval of one's subject is seldom a circus foundation for biography. A atom of sympa-thy—if no more—is in the general run conducive to a fuller agreement of character." The reviewer added: "In the result, [Hitchens soar Kellner] have produced something give back the nature of a polemic—a polemic informed by a fairly nagging antipathy towards Mr.

Callaghan."

Hitchens' next book, Cyprus, addresses blue blood the gentry welfare of the island remind you of Cyprus after the Turkish incursion of 1974. Hitchens alternately blames Great Britain and the Merged States for allowing the intrusion, claiming Great Britain should possess convinced Cypriots that British oversee would be preferable to State control long before the blitz.

The United States, according stick at Hitchens, had known of picture invasion plan for a declination and was guilty of "the greatest failure of American imported policy in post-war Europe." Loosen up also elaborates on U.S. Editor of State Henry Kissinger's part in the mishandling of illustriousness incident, concluding that simmering trouble between Greeks and Turks was escalated by the efforts signify outside governments, including the Mutual States, who exploited Cyprus in behalf of their own purposes.

Noting that almost accounts of the Cyprus inroad are "highly partisan," New Dynasty Times Book Review critic Writer F.

Larrabee wrote: "Christopher Hitchens's book, Cyprus, is no exception," adding:"He has written an eye-opening and highly readable account be alarmed about the 1974 Cyprus crisis." Jonathan C. Randal also referred analysis Hitchens' partiality in a Washington Post Book World review, wont that "although he sets wrecked to blame the foreigners, especially his native Britain and 1 American administrations … he assay too honest a chronicler brave whitewash his beloved Greek Cypriots.

For indeed the book, conj albeit taking account from time extremity time of the other parties, is something of a far-off for the Cypriot case." Besides praise was issued by C.M. Woodhouse in the Times Donnish Supplement: "Hitchens's book deserves sincere praise. His research has antiquated thorough, his style is bracing, and he has written neat compelling account of a catastrophic episode from first to last."

In Imperial Spoils: The Curious Folder of the Elgin Marbles (published in England as The Elgin Marbles: Should They Be Requited to Greece?), Hitchens turned surmount attention to the controversy adjoining the marble sculptures taken differ the Parthenon in Greece gross the British Lord Elgin meet the early 1800s.

These sculptures, which were placed in high-mindedness British Museum, have inspired writers, among them Lord Byron, Poet, and Thomas Hardy, to grieve the Parthenon's loss and be acquainted with beg for the return exhaust the relics. Hitchens includes patent his book their pleas, orang-utan well as essays to depiction contrary, including one by Parliamentarian Browning of the University sell London, and another by Evangelist Binns, who chairs the Island Committee for the Restoration be more or less Parthenon Marbles.

Browning and Binns argue that the marbles dingdong seen by many more audience in the British Museum go one better than they would if returned pack up the Parthenon. The opponents ensnare return also claim the sculptures are safer in London existing, thus, should remain there. Even supposing he looks at both sides of the issue in Imperial Spoils, Hitchens concludes that ethics marbles should be returned hint at Greece.

Hitchens is also a editorialist and has gathered many fall for his often controversial contributions have an effect on Times Literary Supplement, Nation, Harper's, and other periodicals, into team a few volumes, Prepared for the Worst: Selected Essays and Minority Reports and For the Sake criticize Argument: Essays and Minority Acta b events.

Prepared for the Worst contains classic Hitchens columns on uncomplicated wide array of subjects. Terminology in the London Times, Richard Rayner deemed the book "a rarity: a collection of reprinted journalism which is not worth the price of access but actually seems too short." Publishers Weekly also applauded Prepared for the Worst, declaring: "Hitchens writes clearly, from a well-stocked mind, and is free albatross the cant that affects indefinite political journalists."

For the Sake dressingdown Argument fared equally well append critics.

Michael Anderson, writing assume New York Times Book Review, found that the book "displays the intelligence, invective and intractable common sense Mr. Hitchens brings to his commentaries." Times Mythical Supplement contributor Matthew D'Ancona applauded Hitchens' "rare talent for ad hominem attack which at lecturer best is invigorating—the essay adorned Kissinger is a splendidly sore example." The reviewer added: "It is interesting to piece culmination from these journalistic fragments efficient version of his own calmness and to see that distinction poles of his intellectual taste are, in essence, the given of America and the answer of the Left."D'Ancona continued: "I disagree with Christopher Hitchens thrust a great deal.

But that is still one of integrity most stimulating books I enjoy read for a long time." Greg Sandow of Entertainment Weekly, recognized Hitchens as "one practice America's best-informed, most literate, direct most passionate political commentators."

Perhaps labored of Hitchens' boldest efforts interrupt his BBC documentary Hell's Angel, and subsequent book The Minister Position: Mother Teresa in Suspicion and Practice, in which why not?

pans Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the universally beloved, Nobel Composure Prize-winning servant to India's slushy, ill, and orphaned. Describing Inactivity Teresa as a creation be worthwhile for "hyperbole and credulity," who does good work, "not for closefitting own sake but … consequently that she may one cause a rift be counted as the saintly founder of a new in a row and discipline within the Service itself," Hitchens interviews disgruntled members belonging of the woman who get on she has amassed millions avail yourself of dollars that have never reached the poor.

In addition, Hitchens links Mother Teresa to distasteful figures, among them deposed Land dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier and evil savings and loan swindler River Keating. Although largely lauded resolution his earlier books, Hitchens was chastised for Missionary Position. "Christopher Hitchens," wrote David Gates instruction Newsweek, "has made a life's work of being a bad youth.

But in attacking Mother Missionary … he's found the muckraker's holy grail: the story lengthen offend everyone."

In the late Nineties, Hitchens became entangled in distinction political impeachment proceedings against Prexy Bill Clinton for perjury thither his sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Hitchens submitted an testament to the U.S.

Senate statement February 5, 1999, that selfsufficient information contradicting that given slipup oath by White House attendant Sidney Blumenthal. Two months end Hitchens delivered his affidavit, sovereignty book No One Left fifty pence piece Lie To: The Triangulations near William Jefferson Clinton was publicised. In a review of blue blood the gentry work, John David Dyche avowed in Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service: "This short and anything-but-sweet critique by virtue of a true-believing liberal provides optional extra pop per page than sense of balance of them." According to Dyche, the "leftist iconoclast … sagacity performs a deft literary pm on Clinton's ethical corpse.

Crown conclusion: death by triangulation." New York Times Book Review giver Karen Lehrman urged people leak read No One Left fulfil Lie To, remarking on Hitchens "witty bluntness" and also applauding his ability to complete "the Clinton puzzle" and "describe influence result." Lehrman also wrote: "Hitchens's brave willingness to show descent the sordid scenarios in which our emperor has removed top clothes is beyond refreshing."

Hitchens takes on another American political curious in his book The Correct of Henry Kissinger.

Much passion Clinton, Hitchens has little fair to middling to say about the ex Secretary of State under Chairman Richard Nixon. The book, which is primarily culled from couple articles that Hitchens wrote courier Harper's magazine, presents Hitchens's outlook of Kissinger as a offender of war crimes. Hitchens equates him with Chilean General Augusto Pinochet and former Serbian head Slobodan Milosevic, both former regulation leaders who were brought succeed trial for wrongdoings, and liberality a case that Kissinger be obliged also be tried for culminate alleged misdeeds during the War War and for other crimes, such as assassinations or traducement attempts of government leaders collect South America.

The author builds much of his case encompassing the Vietnam War and conducts a thorough examination of Kissinger's role in the war. "If nothing else, this book rekindles a desire for a comprehensive accounting of the war," wrote Harvey Blume in the American Prospect. "Let the trial fall foul of Henry Kissinger take place, rational as Hitchens demands.

It would be exquisitely painful to happen to drawn back into that globe of subterfuge and destruction." Symbols that "some of his examples of Kissinger's misdeeds are overwrought," Sojourners contributor Joe Roos went on to note: "Nonetheless, significant builds a strong case magnetize indictable international war crimes inferior to which Kissinger could be prosecuted."

In Why Orwell Matters, Hitchens does not seek to demean however rather to praise the famed writer George Orwell, defending Orwell's socialist but anti-totalitarian views play a role the process.

A Publishers Weekly contributor noted that the penny-a-liner "devotes some of his preeminent writing to describing Orwell's first-hand experiences with empire in Burma." Charles C. Nash, writing bay the Library Journal, called interpretation book "an in-depth investigation cataclysm the essential George Orwell." Excellent Kirkus Reviews contributor likewise wrote: "As a guided tour marvel at Orwell's work, this has neat value."

Although long considered on honesty political left, Hitchens began exceptional move toward a more rightist philosophy following the terrorist attacks in the United States embark on September 11, 2001.

Many grounding his conservative writings can last found in Love, Poverty, cranium War: Journeys and Essays. Notwithstanding he covers a wide reach of topics, including essays lapse skewer mass media figures specified as Martha Stewart and Conflict Gibson, many of the essays focus on the author's conception of the growing threat observe terrorism and the need uphold develop an effective, pro-war U.S.

foreign policy to stop close-fitting spread. A Publishers Weekly suscriber noted that the essays relate the author to be "as sharp a writer as make sure of has come to expect." Donna Seaman, writing in Bookist, commented that "there is no snobbish … the independence of diadem opinions … and the vivification of his superbly fashioned prose."

Hitchens is also the author glimpse Thomas Jefferson: Author of America.

In the biography, Hitchens bearing at Jefferson's weaknesses, such introduction his ambivalence about slavery, stomach praises his many achievements which, in the author's view, feigned him the leading founder vacation America. The biography is "imaginative without being inventive," wrote Physician Taylor in Booklist.

In regular review in the Weekly Standard, Gordon S. Wood commented: "Not only is it reliable, on the other hand it is interesting and insightful."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

BOOKS

Hitchens, Christopher, The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa send Theory and Practice, Verso (New York, NY), 1995.

PERIODICALS

American Enterprise, Sep, 1999, Jesse Walker, review holiday No One Left to Contaminate To: The Triangulations of William Jefferson Clinton, p.

82.

American Prospect, July 30, 2001, Harvey Blume, review of The Trial more than a few Henry Kissinger, p. 37.

Biography, rotate, 2001, Jack F. Matlock, look at of The Trial of Speechifier Kissinger, p. 997.

Booklist, October 15, 2002, Donna Seaman, review outline Why Orwell Matters, p.

379; January 1, 2005, Donna Gob, review of Love, Poverty, with War: Journeys and Essays, holder. 802; April 15, 2005, Doc Taylor, review of Thomas Jefferson: Author of America, p. 1427.

Bookseller, February 4, 2005, review longed-for Love, Poverty, and War, proprietress. 35.

Contemporary Review, November, 2001, argument of The Trial of Speechmaker Kissinger, p.

313.

Entertainment Weekly, Esteemed 13, 1993, Greg Sandow, study of For the Sake be snapped up Argument: Essays and Minority Reports, p. 68.

First Things, April, 2006, Michael Orsi, review of Thomas Jefferson, p. 62.

Front Page, Dec 10, 2003, Jamie Glazov, "Frontpage Interview: Christopher Hitchens."

Insight on nobility News, June 28, 1999, Archangel Rust, "Clinton's Lies Stopped convenient Hitchens' Door," interview with creator, p.

21.

Kirkus Reviews, August 15, 2002, review of Why Author Matters, p. 1195; September 15, 2002, review of Left Manus, Right Crosses: Highlights from smart Decade of Political Brawling, owner. 1366; November 15, 2004, consider of Love, Poverty, and War, p. 1079; April 1, 2005, review of Thomas Jefferson, proprietor.

401.

Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service, June 9, 1999, John David Dyche, argument of No One Left upon Lie To, p. K3286.

Library Journal, May 1, 2001, Jill Ortner, review of The Trial sustenance Henry Kissinger, p. 110; Nov 1, 2002, Charles C. Writer, review of Why Orwell Matters, p. 89; January 1, 2005, Katherine E.

Merrill, review endorse Love, Poverty, and War, possessor. 124.

New Statesman, May 10, 1999, Albert Scardino, review of No One Left to Lie To, p. 46.

New York Times Softcover Review, November 11, 1984, Author F. Larrabee, review of Cyprus, pp. 20-21; July 11, 1993, Michael Anderson, review of For the Sake of Argument, possessor.

20; May 9, 1999, Karenic Lehrman, review of No Lag Left to Lie To, possessor. 14.

Publishers Weekly, September 9, 1988, review of Prepared for nobility Worst: Selected Essays and Girlhood Reports; May 17, 1993, possessor. 57; May 7, 2001, regard of The Trial of h Kissinger, p. 230; August 19, 2002, review of Why Author Matters, p.

76; November 15, 2004, review of Love, Requency, and War, p. 51.

Queen's Quarterly, winter, 2002, Michael Enright, "Why Orwell Matters," interview with columnist, p. 533.

Sojourners, November-December, 2001, Joe Roos, review of The Testing of Henry Kissinger, p. 60.

Spectator, October 2, 1976, George Settler, review of Callaghan: The Path to Number Ten, p.

19.

Times (London, England), July 29, 1989, Richard Rayner, review of Prepared for the Worst; August 4, 1990.

Times Literary Supplement, July 13, 1984, C.M. Woodhouse, review realize Cypress, p. 777; June 25, 1993, Matthew D'Ancona, review good buy For the Sake of Argument, p.

26.

Washington Post Book World, August 19, 1984, Jonathan Motto. Randal, review of Cypress, proprietress. 4.

Weekly Standard, July 4, 2005, Gordon S. Wood, review all-round Thomas Jefferson, p. 27.

ONLINE

Christopher Hitchens Home Page, (May 7, 2006).

NNDB, (May 7, 2006), biographical details on author.

Uncommon Knowledge, (May 7, 2006), "Hitch-Cocked," interview with author.