ABC: Christopher Hitchens, Author and Television Personality, Dies at 62

[visionary]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/christopher-hitchens-controversial-author-television-personality-dies/story?id=13214700

Christopher Hitchens, the maverick essayist, unabashed atheist and cable television gladiator whose long list of targets included Bill Clinton, Henry Kissinger, and even Mother Teresa and organized religion, has died from pneumonia, a complication of esophageal cancer. He was 62.

Hitchens died Thursday at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, according to a statement released by Vanity Fair late Thursday night.

"There will never be another like Christopher. A man of ferocious intellect, who was as vibrant on the page as he was at the bar," Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter said in the statement. "Those who read him felt they knew him, and those who knew him were profoundly fortunate souls."

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2011/12/christopher-hitchens-slideshow-201112#slide=1

Photos: In Memoriam of Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011

Some fascinating early pictures and info.

[Sweet Sassy Molassy]

Aww man! That's disappointing, I'm almost finished reading his book, "God is not great" and have The Portable Athiest and look forward to going through that one too. Liked his books, and his overall take on a lot of things. That's life though, he at least made his mark during his time.

[visionary]

Never read his books, but I used to see him on tv a lot.

He always had an interesting perspective on things.

[Hubbs]

The ultimate question is, of course, whether or not he's currently reviewing his life....

[No Excuses]

Wow, was just having a discussion about him with a friend recently. I was a fan.

RIP Hitchens.

He was a really talented writer and speaker.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

RIP. I always enjoyed hearing him speak and really liked his bio on Jefferson. Definitely a loss for the world. Whether you agreed with him or not, he added something.

[AsburySkinsFan]

Rest in peace Christopher.

[Ellis]

RIP Hitchens... gonna miss hearing you debate.

[skinsmarydu]

Politics won't be the same without him. RIP, Christopher.

[visionary]

http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/16/world/europe/christopher-hitchens-twitter/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

'A great voice falls silent': Christopher Hitchens tributes pour in on Twitter

Actually I was kind of surprised last night by how many people on twitter, especially in the media seemed to know and admire the guy.

[Teller]

Damnit. I'm getting his Jefferson bio for Christmas. It's supposed to be phenomenal.

[gbear]

This week, I was discussing (internet message board style) with a few others on the Strongatthebroken places thearticle on him in Vanity Fair. http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2012/01/hitchens-201201

For the most part we were talking about his thoughts on "Whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger." As we were posting about it, I couldn't help but think he had already done the hard thinking for us just by giving us a perspective to consider. In any event, if you are interested in the perspective of a few patients with chronic health conditions, I think there are some pretty good perspectives starting on the bottom of page 185.

http://www.strongatthebrokenplaces.com/board/index.php?topic=125.2775

As a side note, the book Strong At the Broken Places is a very good read as it tracks a few people with different chronic conditions and how they do more than merely survive. I found it rather inspirational.

RIP Mr. Hitchens. Your work here is complete. Now it is left for others to pick up and move forward. Thank You.

[Jumbo]

Overall, I had mucho respect for the guy. Far more people with far less to offer are far more profuse. Thanks for having been you, Mr. Hitchens.

[TradeTheBeal!]

See you in the Great Electron.

[Corcaigh]

If we end our time admired and reviled even a fraction as much as Hitchens, we will have lived right.

[drtdrums]

Christopher Hitchens death: In Memoriam by his brother, Peter.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Damnit. I'm getting his Jefferson bio for Christmas. It's supposed to be phenomenal.

Biographies are my go to genre. They are literally probably 75% of what I read. With Hitchens Jefferson bio, I've never read a shorter one and i'm not sure ive ever read a more interesting one. N

[Teller]

Biographies are my go to genre. They are literally probably 75% of what I read. With Hitchens Jefferson bio, I've never read a shorter one and i'm not sure ive ever read a more interesting one. N

I'm excited about it. I've been scouring the depths of the interwebz looking for a bad review. Haven't found a one. I'll be anxious to talk to you about it once I've read it.

[Predicto]

Often disagreed with him, but always admired his intellect and honesty. Farewell.

[Unforgiven]

An amazing man, whose life was far too short. Though he did more with that time than many of us ever will.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Darn, that one saddens me.

Loved the way Hitch spoke his mind and stuck to what he believed in. The Big C claims another, sighs.

God rest. Prayers are with your family.

Hail.

[Predicto]

And Mad Props to Hitchens for his honesty in the waterboarding situation. He mocked the idea of waterboarding as torture, said he was willing to prove it, lasted about 10 seconds, and - most of all - was willing to admit afterwords that he had been wrong.

How often does any public figure in America ever admit that he was wrong?

[steveo21]

dude was a beast. Loved hearing him speak. Agree or disagree with him I always enjoyed his point of view.

[Tenjikuronin]

He was spot on about "Mother" Teresa.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

I'm excited about it. I've been scouring the depths of the interwebz looking for a bad review. Haven't found a one. I'll be anxious to talk to you about it once I've read it.

Would love to man. Just hit me up.