Overview

This unusual collection of articles and reviews charts George Orwell's development from action research journalist to profound political thinker. Accompanied by a superb introduction and tragi-comic annotations, his life and times come alive. With his renowned clarity, Orwell explains capitalism, communism, democracy, fascism and socialism; dissects nationalism in a legendary exposition; sketches the great and the bad, including Churchill, Gandhi and Hitler; and discusses Europe, Palestine and Zionism. Particularly startling is Orwell's continuing relevance. He describes antisemitic responses from those who would not dream of being considered antisemitic, racism conducted as a matter of economic convenience, and the rise of nationalist fervour. George Orwell represents humanity with bravery and realism. Controversially, he also promotes freedom of speech for the unspeakable.

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9781916363212

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George Orwell's later life and intellectual development are examined through salient essays, lively notes and an illuminating introduction. This is fresh and therefore - like Orwell - relevant. Neil Kinnock, former Leader of the Labour Party This is an excellent and endlessly interesting collection. For anyone who wants to go beyond Animal Farm, Nineteen Eighty-Four and that essay on Politics and the English Language which is the only one that most people have read, this is a wonderful book. The introduction is the clearest short exposition of the development of Orwell's political thought that I have read; how he was of the left but hostile to most socialists , and how the Spanish Civil War gave him clarity in opposing totalitarianism of both right and left. Not only that, but it has some lovely lines in it, such as how Orwell's recklessness got him injured when he was shot by a sniper in Spain: He had literally stuck his head above the parapet. The notes are well done, comprehensive and good reading in themselves. The criteria for including essays in the book are current relevance, rarity, excellence, and those showing Orwell's development as a writer, and this delivers a collection that is varied, captures Orwell's distinctive smoky voice as it grows in confidence, and offers some remarkable insight into modern controversies, particularly over antisemitism, authoritarianism and public morality - the title essay, Revenge is Sour , is a fine short meditation about how, when someone to whom an injustice is done is in a position to take revenge, they no longer need to. John Rentoul, chief political commentator for The Independent This book is a must-read for anyone looking for fresh thinking about today's challenges. It is an exciting and well-edited collection of George Orwell's lesser-known writings which, surprisingly, bring his characteristic breath of fresh air and insights into many contemporary challenges, including nationalism and identity politics, racism and antisemitism, populism and anti-scientific fake news, planning and markets. It includes still vibrant commentaries upon big personalities like Rudyard Kipling, Charles Dickens, PG Wodehouse, Gandhi and Jean-Paul Sartre and contemporary reviews of the ideas of Friedrich Hayek, Hitler's Mein Kampf and Winston Churchill. Charles Clarke, former Home Secretary

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