Letters to a Young Contrarian
If the title alone isn’t enough to get you interested, then perhaps you need to re-examine your life priorities. Christopher Hitchens’ slim volume on learning the art of dissent, questioning authority and finding the courage to stand by your convictions in a world that seems more often than not to prefer sheep to sheepdogs, is essential for any person, perhaps most of all for the college student. Written in a series of letters as if to a single student (you?), each no longer than a few pages, Hitchens’ book touches on everything from the sake of arguing for argument’s sake, to free speech, to atheism.
From the start, we’re told the importance of being your own person isn’t necessarily based on what you think, but on how you think. It’s not always easy to be the one contradictory voice in the room, though sometimes there’s nothing more necessary. Don’t be afraid to be independent. If you’ve got a different opinion, share it (unless it’s dumb — then, by all means, keep it to yourself). I’ll close with the words of a man often quoted in Hitchens’ other works: Mark Twain once said, “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” Letters to a Young Contrarian affords you the perfect opportunity to do both those things. Be warned, though: After reading this book, you might find yourself much more willing to pick a fight and, honestly, you damn well should be.
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