The Abolition of Britain
Encyclopedia
A chapter in The Abolition of Britain on the contrast between the public health policies on lung cancer
and the public health policies on AIDS
was left out of the first edition of the book, after Hitchens was advised that airing thoughts critical of homosexual acts
would bring such criticism on it that it would distract attention from the book's main message. It was reinstated in the paperback and American editions, with an explanatory preface. Hitchens elaborated that the morality of homosexuality itself was tangenital to his main argument, which was about British society's unwillingness to criticize sexual promiscuity
among gay, bisexual, and straight men alike despite what he sees as the ill after-effects.
Hitchens argues that damaging moral and cultural effects on Britain occurred from the presence of huge numbers of U.S. troops
during World War II
. He also laments the cultural impact of American usage
of the English language
in Britain itself. For Hitchens, the major failing of the Thatcher
governments was the absence of a decidedly conservative stance over cultural and moral matters.
The book's reception in Britain was mixed. In a scathing review in The Guardian
, Polly Toynbee
attacked the book as being "mad", "obnoxious", "absurdly over the top", and "redolent of all the most preposterous and deluded rantings of Paul Johnson, Bryan Appleyard
, Roger Scruton
, AN Wilson
, Stephen Glover, Christopher Booker
, Bruce Anderson, Simon Heffer
, Melanie Phillips
, Richard Littlejohn
et al." Toynbee also wrote in defence of the numerous reforms instigated by Roy Jenkins (described critically at length by Hitchens in The Abolition of Britain). John Colvin
, writing in another left leaning publication, the New Statesman
, was much more positive in his assessment of the book, writing that "Hitchens, in this clear and uninhibited work, reminds us of the tyranny of the new" and that "it is difficult to contradict his belief that a great nation seems almost to have vanished, its traditions mocked and enfeebled". Colvin also remarked on the disparaging nature of Toynbee's review, which, he asserted, should be to Hitchens's credit. Quoting from The Abolition of Britain, Colvin added: "It is certainly difficult to disagree with him [Hitchens] that many people in Britain sense the emergence of a 'new dark age in which chaos and violence creep upon the middle class'; difficult not to think of what might have been 'had we not trashed our culture, forgotten our history, abandoned our civility and abolished family life' under both Labour and Thatcherite governments".
In The Spectator
, John Redwood
wrote that he was "exhilarated" by the book, and that Hitchens had written with "passion and flair". Redwood added that Hitchens was at his best when "exposing the way in which our educational system and cultural standards have been systematically undermined". Also writing in The Spectator, Peregrine Worsthorne
was more circumspect: "after eloquently telling the tale of how successive British parliamentary governments, Tory as much as Labour, have 'abolished' old Britain, Hitchens reaches the wholly illogical conclusion that that same British democracy alone is quite capable of putting the clock back". He also stated that Hitchens was wrong to hold Eurosceptic
views.
Alan Cowell
, in a mostly critical review in The New York Times
, stated "in the 1950s and 60s, Britain was a gentler, more deferential place; the churches were better attended; children did give up their bus seats to adults; and a generation was nurtured on a history of wartime victory and imperial grandeur that had yet to be derided as myth or oppression". However, Cowell questioned the "Canute-like subtext" of the book that "the destructive forces of television, McDonald's and American popular culture could have been held back". In The Weekly Standard
, another US publication, Jonathan Foreman
wrote that "at its best this book combines superb reporting (especially about the hijacking of education by frustrated leftists) with a heartbreaking analysis of one of the strangest revolutions in history. And in many ways it is the most important of the torrent of books that have dealt with the crisis of British identity". However, Cowell added that the book suffered from "cranky fogeyism", and he was particularly critical of both the chapter analysing the Chatterley trial and the premise that satirical television and radio programmes of the late 1950s and early 1960s contributed towards destroying British national unity.
in 2000 (ISBN 1-893554-18-X). It was reissued in the UK by Continuum
in 2008, with a new introduction by the author (ISBN 1847065228). The book is subtitled "From Lady Chatterley to Tony Blair" in its British editions and "From Winston Churchill to Princess Diana" in its US editions. Hitchens has commented that it proved extremely difficult to get The Abolition of Britain published and into bookshops.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
and the public health policies on AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
was left out of the first edition of the book, after Hitchens was advised that airing thoughts critical of homosexual acts
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
would bring such criticism on it that it would distract attention from the book's main message. It was reinstated in the paperback and American editions, with an explanatory preface. Hitchens elaborated that the morality of homosexuality itself was tangenital to his main argument, which was about British society's unwillingness to criticize sexual promiscuity
Promiscuity
In humans, promiscuity refers to less discriminating casual sex with many sexual partners. The term carries a moral or religious judgement and is viewed in the context of the mainstream social ideal for sexual activity to take place within exclusive committed relationships...
among gay, bisexual, and straight men alike despite what he sees as the ill after-effects.
Hitchens argues that damaging moral and cultural effects on Britain occurred from the presence of huge numbers of U.S. troops
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He also laments the cultural impact of American usage
American English
American English is a set of dialects of the English language used mostly in the United States. Approximately two-thirds of the world's native speakers of English live in the United States....
of the English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
in Britain itself. For Hitchens, the major failing of the Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
governments was the absence of a decidedly conservative stance over cultural and moral matters.
Critical reception
The book received considerable attention in the British media upon its publication, and was also reviewed in a number of US newspapers.The book's reception in Britain was mixed. In a scathing review in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, Polly Toynbee
Polly Toynbee
Polly Toynbee is a British journalist and writer, and has been a columnist for The Guardian newspaper since 1998. She is a social democrat and broadly supports the Labour Party, while urging it in many areas to be more left-wing...
attacked the book as being "mad", "obnoxious", "absurdly over the top", and "redolent of all the most preposterous and deluded rantings of Paul Johnson, Bryan Appleyard
Bryan Appleyard
Bryan Appleyard is a British journalist and author.- Career :Appleyard was educated at Bolton School and King’s College, Cambridge and after graduating with a degree in English, he became Financial News Editor and Deputy Arts Editor from 1976 to 1984 at The Times. Subsequently he became a...
, Roger Scruton
Roger Scruton
Roger Vernon Scruton is a conservative English philosopher and writer. He is the author of over 30 books, including Art and Imagination , Sexual Desire , The Aesthetics of Music , and A Political Philosophy: Arguments For Conservatism...
, AN Wilson
A. N. Wilson
Andrew Norman Wilson is an English writer and newspaper columnist, known for his critical biographies, novels, works of popular history and religious views...
, Stephen Glover, Christopher Booker
Christopher Booker
Christopher John Penrice Booker is an English journalist and author. In 1961, he was one of the founders of the magazine Private Eye, and has contributed to it for over four decades. He has been a columnist for the Sunday Telegraph since 1990...
, Bruce Anderson, Simon Heffer
Simon Heffer
Simon James Heffer is a British journalist, columnist and writer.-Education:Heffer was educated at King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.-Career:...
, Melanie Phillips
Melanie Phillips
Melanie Phillips is a British journalist and author. She began her career on the left of the political spectrum, writing for such publications as The Guardian and New Statesman. In the 1990s she moved to the right, and she now writes for the Daily Mail newspaper, covering political and social...
, Richard Littlejohn
Richard Littlejohn
Richard William Littlejohn is an English author, broadcaster and journalist. He is noted for his Conservative views and currently writes a twice-weekly column for the Daily Mail....
et al." Toynbee also wrote in defence of the numerous reforms instigated by Roy Jenkins (described critically at length by Hitchens in The Abolition of Britain). John Colvin
John Horace Ragnar Colvin
John Horace Ragnar Colvin, CMG, was a British sailor, intelligence officer, banker and military historian.-Family:...
, writing in another left leaning publication, the New Statesman
New Statesman
New Statesman is a British centre-left political and cultural magazine published weekly in London. Founded in 1913, and connected with leading members of the Fabian Society, the magazine reached a circulation peak in the late 1960s....
, was much more positive in his assessment of the book, writing that "Hitchens, in this clear and uninhibited work, reminds us of the tyranny of the new" and that "it is difficult to contradict his belief that a great nation seems almost to have vanished, its traditions mocked and enfeebled". Colvin also remarked on the disparaging nature of Toynbee's review, which, he asserted, should be to Hitchens's credit. Quoting from The Abolition of Britain, Colvin added: "It is certainly difficult to disagree with him [Hitchens] that many people in Britain sense the emergence of a 'new dark age in which chaos and violence creep upon the middle class'; difficult not to think of what might have been 'had we not trashed our culture, forgotten our history, abandoned our civility and abolished family life' under both Labour and Thatcherite governments".
In The Spectator
The Spectator
The Spectator is a weekly British magazine first published on 6 July 1828. It is currently owned by David and Frederick Barclay, who also owns The Daily Telegraph. Its principal subject areas are politics and culture...
, John Redwood
John Redwood
John Alan Redwood is a British Conservative Party politician and Member of Parliament for Wokingham. He was formerly Secretary of State for Wales in Prime Minister John Major's Cabinet and was an unsuccessful challenger for the leadership of the Conservative Party in 1995...
wrote that he was "exhilarated" by the book, and that Hitchens had written with "passion and flair". Redwood added that Hitchens was at his best when "exposing the way in which our educational system and cultural standards have been systematically undermined". Also writing in The Spectator, Peregrine Worsthorne
Peregrine Worsthorne
Sir Peregrine Gerard Worsthorne is a British journalist, writer and broadcaster. He was educated at Stowe School, Peterhouse, Cambridge and Magdalen College, Oxford. Worsthorne spent the largest part of his career at the Telegraph newspaper titles, eventually becoming editor of The Sunday Telegraph...
was more circumspect: "after eloquently telling the tale of how successive British parliamentary governments, Tory as much as Labour, have 'abolished' old Britain, Hitchens reaches the wholly illogical conclusion that that same British democracy alone is quite capable of putting the clock back". He also stated that Hitchens was wrong to hold Eurosceptic
Euroscepticism
Euroscepticism is a general term used to describe criticism of the European Union , and opposition to the process of European integration, existing throughout the political spectrum. Traditionally, the main source of euroscepticism has been the notion that integration weakens the nation state...
views.
Alan Cowell
Alan Cowell
Alan S. Cowell is a British journalist and a correspondent for The New York Times. Since 2008 he has been senior correspondent for NYTimes.com based in Paris....
, in a mostly critical review in The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, stated "in the 1950s and 60s, Britain was a gentler, more deferential place; the churches were better attended; children did give up their bus seats to adults; and a generation was nurtured on a history of wartime victory and imperial grandeur that had yet to be derided as myth or oppression". However, Cowell questioned the "Canute-like subtext" of the book that "the destructive forces of television, McDonald's and American popular culture could have been held back". In The Weekly Standard
The Weekly Standard
The Weekly Standard is an American neoconservative opinion magazine published 48 times per year. Its founding publisher, News Corporation, debuted the title September 18, 1995. Currently edited by founder William Kristol and Fred Barnes, the Standard has been described as a "redoubt of...
, another US publication, Jonathan Foreman
Jonathan Foreman (journalist)
Jonathan Foreman is an Anglo-American journalist and film critic.He is the son of Academy-Award winning screenwriter and film producer Carl Foreman , who moved to England in order to work after being blacklisted by Hollywood movie studio bosses during the hysteria of the McCarthy era...
wrote that "at its best this book combines superb reporting (especially about the hijacking of education by frustrated leftists) with a heartbreaking analysis of one of the strangest revolutions in history. And in many ways it is the most important of the torrent of books that have dealt with the crisis of British identity". However, Cowell added that the book suffered from "cranky fogeyism", and he was particularly critical of both the chapter analysing the Chatterley trial and the premise that satirical television and radio programmes of the late 1950s and early 1960s contributed towards destroying British national unity.
Publishing history
The book was first published in Britain by Quartet Books in 1999 (ISBN 0-7043-8117-6), and then in a revised edition the following year. The volume was published in North America by Encounter BooksEncounter Books
Encounter Books is an American conservative book publisher. It is an activity of Encounter for Culture and Education, Inc. Encounter Books draws its name from Encounter , the now defunct literary magazine founded by Irving Kristol and Stephen Spender....
in 2000 (ISBN 1-893554-18-X). It was reissued in the UK by Continuum
Continuum International Publishing Group
The Continuum International Publishing Group is a publisher of books, with its editorial offices in London and New York City. It had been owned by Nova Capital Management since 2005...
in 2008, with a new introduction by the author (ISBN 1847065228). The book is subtitled "From Lady Chatterley to Tony Blair" in its British editions and "From Winston Churchill to Princess Diana" in its US editions. Hitchens has commented that it proved extremely difficult to get The Abolition of Britain published and into bookshops.
Further reading
- "Cool Britannia" - 4 November 2002. Geoff Metcalf interviews Peter Hitchens on The Abolition of Britain.
External links
Additional reviews- Short book review from the Ulster perspective by David Kerr at Ulsternation, a web based forum for political debate
- "Conquered Without a Shot" review in Spearhead (magazine)Spearhead (magazine)Spearhead was a British far right-wing magazine edited by John Tyndall until his death in July 2005. Founded in 1964 by Tyndall, it was used to voice his grievances against the state of the United Kingdom...
by John Tyndall (politician)John Tyndall (politician)John Hutchyns Tyndall was a British politician who was prominently associated with several fascist/neo-Nazi sects. However, he is best known for leading the National Front in the 1970s and founding the contemporary British National Party in 1982.The most prominent figure in British nationalism...
, founder of the BNP - "The Brainwashed Land of Hope and Glory" review by Alistair McConnachie of the SOVEREIGNTY monthly journal
- Brothers Peter and Christopher Hitchens debate The Abolition of Britain