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katykelly's review
4.0
I couldn't help bringing this home after a customer returned it at the library.
A short read, it's the transcript of a debate between former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and writer/journalist Christopher Hitchens, who at the time had already been diagnosed with cancer.
Both are skilled speakers in their own rights, though Hitchens easily outclasses Blair on every point without (unfortunately in my opinion) going for the jugular as he does in many interviews. He made me smile several times, I also found myself in awe at the beautiful phrasing he came out with, and the construction of some of his arguments. And yet I've seen him better.
Blair is certainty adequate but has no argument that convinces, repeating to the end that though yes, religion has done harm, so have other organisations, but yes it has also done some good. His examples of Rwanda and Northern Ireland also backfired on him.
I would have liked commentary on the debate at the end, for context and further thought. And there are two further interviews with the participants, each talking to an interviewer about religion more generally.
The end of the transcript made me smile - seeing the result with no comment as to the audience poll of how many were persuaded by each debater. No further comment needed.
Every time I'm reminded of Hitchens I'm saddened that such an eloquent man shortened his own life and deprived the world of such sense. His arguments here on the empowerment of women being the best chance we have for change makes perfect sense. His phrase on the essence of religion will also stick with me: "created sick and then ordered to be well."
A very useful little volume.
A short read, it's the transcript of a debate between former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and writer/journalist Christopher Hitchens, who at the time had already been diagnosed with cancer.
Both are skilled speakers in their own rights, though Hitchens easily outclasses Blair on every point without (unfortunately in my opinion) going for the jugular as he does in many interviews. He made me smile several times, I also found myself in awe at the beautiful phrasing he came out with, and the construction of some of his arguments. And yet I've seen him better.
Blair is certainty adequate but has no argument that convinces, repeating to the end that though yes, religion has done harm, so have other organisations, but yes it has also done some good. His examples of Rwanda and Northern Ireland also backfired on him.
I would have liked commentary on the debate at the end, for context and further thought. And there are two further interviews with the participants, each talking to an interviewer about religion more generally.
The end of the transcript made me smile - seeing the result with no comment as to the audience poll of how many were persuaded by each debater. No further comment needed.
Every time I'm reminded of Hitchens I'm saddened that such an eloquent man shortened his own life and deprived the world of such sense. His arguments here on the empowerment of women being the best chance we have for change makes perfect sense. His phrase on the essence of religion will also stick with me: "created sick and then ordered to be well."
A very useful little volume.
davidjme's review
1.0
To me, the whole thing was more interesting as a set of speeches by two well-known public figures than anything else. A wonky debate format - 7 minute presentations, 4 minute rebuttals, a full hour(!) of questions - made for slim arguments and slimmer interactions. I don't understand why the burden-of-proof free Hitchens opened the debate, too.
As a theist, I'd give the win to the negative side (Religion is NOT a force for good), mostly because Blair never bothered to respond to half of Hitchens's case. Though, to be honest, the debate went round in circles for so long that I'd need to have a bit of a lie down first.
As a theist, I'd give the win to the negative side (Religion is NOT a force for good), mostly because Blair never bothered to respond to half of Hitchens's case. Though, to be honest, the debate went round in circles for so long that I'd need to have a bit of a lie down first.
bmahaffy's review
3.0
A quick read. Not particularly meaty but some interesting points were made on both sides of this debate.
jasminenoack's review
3.0
This book loses a star because hitchens failed to point out to blair the difference between "because of religion" and "in spite of religion" it regains half a star for his genius opening statement about how religion causes intelligent people to say stupid things (ergo everything blair will say tonight)
slinafirinne's review against another edition
5.0
I wish more of Hitchens debate were available in print form.
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