2008-07-23 Yes, look at just how clever Clive James is!!

This book is not so much of a polemic, but the presentation of various points of view with which the reader can debate with himself / herself and others (including the author himself). It is a book crying out for contention and argument. As a `dipping' book therefore it is one of the most intellectually worthy publications of the past few years, and I would recommend that 'dipping' in and out of its contents is the most rewarding way to approach it.

I personally do have my reservations about several points that James makes, for example I think his opinions on music (especially Jazz) are somewhat myopic, and he certainly has a big problem with both Sartre and Brecht, but the joy to be had here is to question your own perceptions of these subjects again in the light of your newly formed experiences.

James's observations remind me of George Orwell's essays in the sense that often James will push the reader to places where he does not want to go, and in so doing forces a re-evaluation of long-held and cherished opinions. This is very healthy. Also like Orwell, the points of view are written to set the blood pumping and hone the critical parts of one's brain to such an extent that it is almost irrelevant if you agree with what is being said or not.

If you re-read a chapter again a few months down the line, you may find that your opinions have changed again, just like when reading an Orwell essay.

The promotion of critical thought is the main object of this book, and Mr. James achieves it superbly with his style.

More problematical is that there are a few `typos' to be found in this edition which I hope will be corrected either in a later edition, Mr. James's website, or in the second volume that Mr. James is contemplating.

Another problem with the book is the stated aim that the book has been written to instruct the young. I feel that this objective may prove to be optimistic on Mr. James' part, not because I think that the young are not up to the challenges that a study of humanism entails, but the many faceted approach James adopts in his writing style requires the bringing to bear of accumulated life experiences which the younger reader may not have had the time to accumulate. I hope I'm wrong.

As for the `pissing contest' innuendo from a previous reviewer, all I can say to that is such a remark is proof (if proof were ever required) that the British trait of inverted snobbery is alive and well. It is more desirable alternative to have the guy dribble on about Margarita Pracatan for the rest of his career? Why is it that any display of erudition from a writer or commentator becomes something to be cynically condemned by a small but vocal part of society, as if sharing an intelligent mind is akin to the wanton display of some kind of hideous deformity. Is accumulated knowledge exclusively to be kept to one's self, or to be shared with others?

If that reviewer was to reach beyond his/her own snap judgement and actually pay attention what is actually being said, then he or she may learn something (shock, horror!), or (gasp!) may actually want to find out more.

Most of the `obscure references' referred to in the book are either available from this site or at your friendly neighbourhood second-hand bookseller. So most are not obscure at all, really.

If you are at all interested in the humanities, then this is a book to be thoroughly recommended. There is nothing to be afraid of within these pages, and if used as intended (supplemented with some of the works referred to) this book will be a passport (or postcard!) to the start of a wonderful voyage of self-discovery for any reader.

It has wit, charm, and variety in spades, and is an erudite affirmation of the human condition just when it is most needed. Congratulations to Mr. James.