Sad News: Christopher Hitchens Diagnosed with Cancer
Emily Esfahani Smith ·
Jun 30, 2010 at 5:39pm
Christopher Hitchens, the brilliant writer whose memoir Hitch-22 just came out, had to cancel his book tour to receive chemotherapy. The former smoker has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
I have been advised by my physician that I must undergo a course of chemotherapy on my esophagus. This advice seems persuasive to me. I regret having had to cancel so many engagements at such short notice.
Read an excerpt of his memoir here.
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Comments :
May '10
Re: Sad News: Christopher Hitchens Diagnosed with Cancer
Despite his considerable differences with many strands of conservatism, he's nonetheless remained a friend to many conservatives. Ricochet's own Peter Robinson has interviewed him at least a handful of times on Uncommon Knowledge. I wish Mr. Hitchens a fast recovery.
Re: Sad News: Christopher Hitchens Diagnosed with Cancer
One of my most indelible memories is watching Chris demolish -- and I mean demolish -- two anti-Iraq war partisans at a fancy Santa Monica liberal dinner party. He just refused to let anything go, refused to compromise. And he utterly baffled the rest of the partygoers, most of whom only knew him as a rabid socialist. I mean, they came to the party totally unprepared for his fierce and convincing advocacy of the war. And he did it all while dashing in and out from the outdoor patio, where he had been exiled by the host because the other thing he refused to compromise on was his need to have a smoke.
Jun '10
Re: Sad News: Christopher Hitchens Diagnosed with Cancer
I certainly hope that modern science can work one of its miracles for Hitchens, even though he doesn't believe in miracles. What seems to irritate Hitchens more than anything is, people who assert things they can't back up, things they can't provide any concrete evidence for. He'll chase them right into the rhetorical blind alley they've trapped themselves in, and beat them to death, verbally. It's a work of art. It just saddens me that he extends that treatment to people of religious faith, but at least there's a certain consistency in his distaste for leaps of faith, religious or not.
May '10
Re: Sad News: Christopher Hitchens Diagnosed with Cancer
Should we all be praying for him (and let him know)?
Okay, so that's a little naughty. I do join all of you in wishing him a full and speedy recovery.
Re: Sad News: Christopher Hitchens Diagnosed with Cancer
One of my favorite Christopher Hitchens essays: Why Women Aren't Funny
May '10
Re: Sad News: Christopher Hitchens Diagnosed with Cancer
Oh no. Not that type of CA. #@&!?!!#.
May '10
Re: Sad News: Christopher Hitchens Diagnosed with Cancer
Um, Diane, was that aimed at me? If so, ouch.
Re: Sad News: Christopher Hitchens Diagnosed with Cancer
Ha! No, Caryn. I happen to think women can be quite funny (I make myself laugh all the time...if that counts). But I loved Hitchens' essay on the topic. And when I had the privilege of meeting him last summer over lunch, I asked him to defend his thesis. Not sure he did a great job of defending his point, but he was clever and witty, so I gave him a pass.
May '10
Re: Sad News: Christopher Hitchens Diagnosed with Cancer
To be clear, another major risk factor for esophageal cancer is excessive alcohol intake, about which 'nuff said. Hoping for the best.