UK historian, pinging because of FReeper comments.
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 ...
Since the usual nutjobs haven't jumped in so far, I'll do the job for them: "Obviously it's the vaxx ... he was only 94!!!"
I plan a tribute to him at www.uncoverdc.com on Mon. or Tues.
My inspiration for “Patriot’s History of the US” and “Patriot’s History of the Modern World.”
Funny. I read this when it came out, was disappointed. Thought it too Euro-centric and boring.
When I started my new book, “A Patriot’s History of Globalism,” I re-read it for the chapter on the Congress of Vienna. Amazing. Yes, he can get really bogged down in lit an English intrigue, but his character studies are beyond description.
UK historian, pinging because of FReeper comments.
“Modern Times” changed my life. RIP
You have certainly missed out, since his work is really worth the time it takes to read them. Any one will be worthwhile on its own, but several have already been suggested on this thread. As he got older his books seemed to get shorter, but short or long they are all magnificent. I am actually reading “Intellectuals” only now.
I read all three and could not agree more. May he RIP.
May Paul Johnson rest in peace—i just found out about him.
His book Intellectuals changed my life. I felt like I was the only person in the world who doubted those people and here was an entire book that agreed with me and so much more!
He gave me strength and confidence in my thinking.
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