Of course everyone knows about Christopher Hitchens’ extraordinary intelligence, and it’s probably best to see him in action on Youtube. This, for example. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone take on the Catholic Church in such a fearless way, nor has anyone come close to defending sexually abused children as passionately.
These essays were mostly wonderful, but I did skip a few: the subjects were either dated or maybe not really in my orbit of concern.
I’m not sure I’d buy another book of his essays. There’s an awful lot to read, and an essay is very specifically about a moment in time. So this is, to a degree, a look back.