Mortality: Summary Review

This is a summary review of Mortality containing key details about the book.

What is Mortality About?

“Mortality” is a book by the late Christopher Hitchens, a journalist, author, and cultural critic.

Mortality comprises seven essays which first appeared in Vanity Fair concerning his struggle with esophageal cancer, with which he was diagnosed during his 2010 book tour and which killed him in December 2011. An eighth chapter consisting of unfinished “fragmentary jottings”, a foreword by Graydon Carter (Hitchens’ Vanity Fair editor) and an afterword by Carol Blue (Hitchens’ widow), are also included in the publication.

Summary Points & Takeaways from Mortality

Some key summary points and takeaways from the book include:

* Reflection on life and death: Hitchens reflects on his own mortality and his experiences with cancer, and the lessons he learned about the meaning of life.

* The value of reason and science: Hitchens was an advocate of reason and science, and he saw these as essential to understanding our place in the world and the nature of life and death.

* The dangers of religion: Hitchens was a vocal critic of religion and its impact on society. In “Mortality,” he argues that religion can be harmful, especially when it undermines scientific progress and critical thinking.

* The power of personal experience: Despite his strong beliefs, Hitchens was not immune to the power of his personal experience and the impact that his illness had on his life and perspective.

* A call to action: “Mortality” serves as a call to action for people to live their lives to the fullest and to seek out knowledge and understanding of the world.

* Overall, “Mortality” is a thought-provoking and insightful book that reflects on the human condition and the meaning of life. Hitchens’ reflections on his own experiences with death and illness are poignant and powerful, and his insights offer a unique perspective on the value of reason, science, and critical thinking.

Who is the author of Mortality?

Christopher Eric Hitchens was a British-American author and journalist who wrote or edited over 30 books on culture, politics, and literature.

Book details

• Print length: 104 pages
• Genre: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Memoir

What is a good quote from Mortality?

Top Quote: “To the dumb question “Why me?” the cosmos barely bothers to return the reply: why not?” (Meaning) – Mortality Quotes, Christopher Hitchens

What do critics say?

Here’s what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: “Dealing unflinchingly with bodily ravagement, reflecting on life’s beauty and remaining rakish about his ideological foes, Hitchens proves that great writers are truly immortal.” — People, 4-star review

* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you’re interested in enhancing your personal growth, I suggest checking out my list of favorite self-development books. These books have been instrumental in my own personal development and I’m confident they can help you too.

Chief Editor

Tal Gur is an impact-driven creator at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 life goals around the globe. Tal's journey and recent book, The Art of Fully Living, inspired him to found Elevate Society.