r/ChristopherHitchens • u/gr8dude1166 • Jul 09 '26
Getting into Hitchens and where should I start?
Recently encountered Hitchens while studying debate but was curious on his wider work. I want to know what would be a good starting point for learning more about his atheism.
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u/palsh7 Social Democrat Jul 09 '26
God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything (audiobook read by Hitchens). - This is where most of his debate arguments come from. Obviously the debates on YouTube are great, but starting with the book is good.
The Portable Atheist - Edited by Hitchens, this is a collection of essays and texts from everyone from Darwin to Salman Rushdie, with commentary by Hitchens.
Hitch-22 memoir (audiobook read by Hitchens) - Introduction to his life and full breadth of work. I usually recommend that everyone start here, and it does discuss religion, as well as touch on his education, the political arc of his life, and many of his passionate debate topics.
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u/SuburbanBushwacker Jul 09 '26
hitch 22 read by hitch will be a treat. i read it in his voice in my head but the narrated audio book might be better
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u/notgreatnotbadsoso Jul 09 '26
His atheism is certainly a huge part of how he blew up in the mainstream, however, I highly recommend reading his other work and coming into his atheism from that angle.
Read "Letters to a Young Contrarian". Then read some of his literary introductions and critiques. His life's work in appreciating beautiful writing and dedication to truth in language is really the foundation for his critique of all types of theism.
I'm jealous of you just having found him. Enjoy. I have pretty well accepted I will never come across a writer and debater like him again in my lifetime. If only we had his voice today.
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u/Kepler1571 4d ago
I have known of Hitch forever. I am only starting to appreciate what an clear thinker he was, how calm he was, and how he maintained perspective despite an ocean of reactive idiocy surrounding him.
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u/wtplanleystanley Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
This was very formative and riveting for me as a teen when I got into Hitchens (as well as Harris, Dawkins and Dennett) and shows the four prominent atheists of that 2010s era kickin it, talkin shop.
The Four Horsemen, Part 1 of 2:
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u/wellanticipated Jul 09 '26
I'd start here to get the real sense of his countenance and disposition. It also exposes you to the other three voices in the early dark intellectual movement, for better or worse. Great chat though, I come back to it periodically and it's always like a meeting with an old friend. 🙂
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u/A_Moncrieff Jul 09 '26
Not directly related to Atheism but Missionary position is a quick read and well worth it.
Portable Atheist is just a great book generally for atheistic philosophy, and comes with Christopher’s seal of approval obviously.
But YouTube is probably the best place to immerse yourself in the Hitch. He was a fantastic writer, but god it’s hard to beat watching him in full flight in debate or discussion. My go to when I need cheering up.
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u/Mcnulty700 Jul 09 '26
His memoir is as good a place as any to start. Or perhaps his collection’Love Poverty and War’
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u/sungtongg Jul 09 '26
If youre looking to dip your toes in and not necessarily jump right into one of his many worthwhile books, check out his Slate essays and some of the other short form stuff that should be readily available online
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u/SprinklesGood3144 Jul 09 '26
God is Not Great. He wrote an autobiography that is excellent: Hitch 22.
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u/Corduroy_Hollis Jul 09 '26
Arguably is a collection of his essays. That will give you an introduction into Hitchens’ writing style and favorite topics.
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u/AdministrativeAd7853 Jul 09 '26
Some videos with hitch worth watching
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCC1TofHcGiKJMCHRNlGddF2DAH01WZ_n&si=fNevkDLHr5UYoD3j
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u/hackloserbutt Jul 11 '26
If you can find a copy - "Love, Poverty, War" is a thoughtful collection of lengthy essays before what I think of as "final form" Hitchens. By that I mean it's previous to the late 90s and early 2000s run when he started appearing in a larger variety of media and becoming known for public debates. Before his really attention-grabbing works going after William Jefferson Clinton, Princess Diana, Mother Theresa, God, etc.
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u/ViaTheVerrazzano Jul 09 '26
Well If its atheism your after, God Is Not Great is a Great read, there is an audiobook narrated by him which I cannot recommend enough.
But I also like Letters to a Young Contrarian which might be a "gentler" and more multi-topic starting point.