Letters to a Young Contrarian

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Letters to a Young Contrarian
Author Christopher Hitchens
Cover artist Richard Pracher
Country United States of America
Language English
Publisher Basic Books
Publication date 2001
Media type Hardback & Paperback
Pages 141
ISBN ISBN 0-465-03033-5

Letters to a Young Contrarian is Christopher Hitchens' contribution to the Art of Mentoring series of books, published by Basic Books.

The book is written directly to the reader (My Dear X) and explores a range of 'contrarian' or 'radical' positions and the holding thereof. Christopher Hitchens talks about his own ideological development and the nature of debate and the way in which language can be slyly used in order to defend or apologize for quite offensive or ridiculous positions.

Thoughout Hitchens makes references to writers and figures that have inspired him over the years, including Emile Zola, Rosa Parks, George Orwell and others.

The book also contains critiques of religion and religious belief that Hitchens would later develop in his book God is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything.[1]

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