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Paul Johnson, Prolific Historian Prized by Conservatives, Dies at 94
NYT ^ | 1/12/23 | Richard B. Woodward

Posted on 01/12/2023 2:59:08 PM PST by Borges

Paul Johnson, the prolific journalist, historian, biographer, speechwriter and novelist whose public conversion in 1977 from Labour Party stalwart to bulldog defender of Margaret Thatcher and conservatism made him a divisive figure in British literary circles, died on Thursday at his home in London. He was 94.

His son Daniel announced the death, “after a long illness,” on Twitter.

A writer of immense range and output, capable of 6,000 words a day when in harness, Mr. Johnson modeled his career after earlier English men of letters, like Thomas Babington Macaulay and G.K. Chesterton. With an affable prose style and supreme confidence in his own opinions, he was happy to deliver forceful judgments on almost anything: the tangled politics of the Middle East, his personal quest for God or the cultural meaning of the Spice Girls.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: New York; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: godsgravesglyphs; historian; labourparty; margaretthatcher; newyork; newyorktimes; pages; pauljohnson; paulohnsonobit; richardbwoodward; unitedkingdom
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1 posted on 01/12/2023 2:59:08 PM PST by Borges
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To: Borges
Epic Author. History of the Jews, Modern Times. HIS HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SHOULD BE USED AS A TEXTBOOK IN SCHOOLS.
2 posted on 01/12/2023 3:02:48 PM PST by cowboyusa (There is no co- existence with Pinks and Reds)
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To: cowboyusa

Loved Modern Times.

RIP


3 posted on 01/12/2023 3:06:24 PM PST by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait!)
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To: Borges
Heartbreaking.

I just bought about 15 of his books.

Was kind of hoping I might some day see him lecture.

RIP Paul Johnson. The most wonderful historian ever.

4 posted on 01/12/2023 3:08:11 PM PST by caddie (We must all become Trump, starting now!)
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To: Borges

Used to read his column in Forbes Magazine, outstanding writer and thinker.


5 posted on 01/12/2023 3:08:14 PM PST by Captain Peter Blood
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To: Larry Lucido

Yes, Modern Times is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the 20th century.


6 posted on 01/12/2023 3:09:33 PM PST by hinckley buzzard ( Resist the narrative.)
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To: Borges

His book INTELLECTUALS is essential reading. RIP.


7 posted on 01/12/2023 3:10:25 PM PST by Orosius (A)
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To: Borges

A great favorite of mine.

His “Modern Times” is still essential reading, to explain modern politics, sorting out the genealogy of current ideologies. Its a bit dated now, but nevertheless useful.

His histories are also probably the best short (or reasonably so given the subject) works available.

“A History of the Jews “
“A History of Christianity”
“A History of the American People”

And the wonderful “The Birth of the Modern”, on how the seeds of much of this modern world were sown in the Romantic movement of the 19th century.


8 posted on 01/12/2023 3:15:06 PM PST by buwaya (Strategic imperatives )
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To: Borges

Paul Johnson’s book on INTELLECTUALS and their harmful legacy to the western world is for me personally, a classic.

Everyone who wants to be a “progressive” should read at least this one book of his.

Rest in Peace Mr. Johnson and thank you for your positive influence on the conservative movement.


9 posted on 01/12/2023 3:18:05 PM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: hinckley buzzard

I started my readings of his works with “The Birth of the Modern” in 1991. My mom wanted to buy me a book and insisted I name one and The Birth of the Modern had just come out. She complained that I read books that were too expensive, LOL.

I was hooked and have read a number of others with great appreciation. The left loves to ignore the great writers of the Conservative stripe: Russell Kirk, Thomas Sowell, Richard Weaver, and Paul Johnson fits right in there.


10 posted on 01/12/2023 3:18:16 PM PST by KC Burke
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To: Borges
Just looked up his works on Amazon - I can't believe I've never read any of them! Got some catching up to do...

RIP Mr. Johnson...

11 posted on 01/12/2023 3:23:49 PM PST by FalloutShelterGirl (Cool! I found my original screen name!)
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To: KC Burke

And Walker Percy.


12 posted on 01/12/2023 3:27:09 PM PST by Trump_Triumphant
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To: Borges

Brilliant author. I regret that I only own six of his books. Got some catching up to do. RIP


13 posted on 01/12/2023 3:31:34 PM PST by Billthedrill
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To: cowboyusa

My inspiration. After I read “Modern Times,” I decided I could—I HAD TO-—write such a history of the United States.

Paul Johnson in many ways was the inspiration for “A Patriot’s History of the United States,” and certainly was the model for my subsequent book, “A Patriot’s History of the Modern World.”

His ability to capture a man’s character in just 2-3 lines was unmatched anywhere.


14 posted on 01/12/2023 3:55:32 PM PST by LS ("Castles made of sand, fall in the sea . . . eventually" (Hendrix) )
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To: buwaya

I loved “Birth of the Modern.” I re-read it a year or two ago.


15 posted on 01/12/2023 4:13:06 PM PST by TheConservator (Beware the tyranny of the woke mob. There has never been a greater threat to liberty.)
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To: Borges

Loved his stuff. RIP


16 posted on 01/12/2023 6:07:27 PM PST by nonliberal (Z.)
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To: LS

When he was going to school in England, they didn’t teach American history past the revolution. He had to come here to learn the history in order to write, remarkably well, about it.


17 posted on 01/12/2023 6:10:11 PM PST by nonliberal (Z.)
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To: Borges

I was introduced to his works in the late 80’s by one Reverend D. Force, a huge black man who ministered at a 19th century wood frame Baptist church. His voice made James Earl Jones sound like a soprano.


18 posted on 01/12/2023 6:12:44 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim ( )
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To: Borges

RIP.


19 posted on 01/12/2023 9:17:34 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (America Owes Anita Bryant An Enormous Apology)
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To: Borges

If I remember correctly, C.S. Lewis was Johnson’s Oxford tutor. He must have been one of the last ones.

I looked forward every week to his column in the Spectator. There’s an online archive of his columns somewhere. I hope it continues to be maintained.


20 posted on 01/12/2023 11:17:23 PM PST by lambo
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