Cultural Amnesia

by Clive James
Cultural Amnesia cover
Good Books rating 4.0
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  • ID: 4454
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780393285420
  • Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
  • Published: 2008-09-17
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Cultural Amnesia is an A-Z masterpiece that delves into the lives and works of the most influential figures of the 20th century. Clive James brings his unique blend of humor and intellect to this encyclopedic collection, offering a fresh perspective on Western humanism. The book is not just an introduction to these figures but also a celebration of their contributions and a lament for the fading memory of their impact on civilization./n/nJames' writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex ideas understandable and entertaining. He doesn't shy away from controversial opinions, sometimes destroying reputations as much as he builds them up. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, philosophy, or the arts, and it serves as a reminder of the cultural heritage that shapes our world today.

Reviews
Australian Book Review · Morag Fraser · 2007-08-01
inviting 3.50

The book is an invitation, not dictation, and is daunting in length and ambition, offering a digressive and eccentric articulation of cultural themes.

Morag Fraser describes 'Cultural Amnesia' as a book of invitation, not dictation. They find it daunting in length and ambition, but appreciate its digressive and eccentric articulation of cultural themes. The reviewer notes that the book's structure allows for a varied reading experience, making it accessible despite its ambitious scope. They also highlight the book's unique perspective on cultural figures, offering a comprehensive overview of the cultural landscape. The reviewer finds the book to be a refreshing and insightful read, celebrating truth over hypocrisy.

Quick quotes

    Cultural Amnesia, as I read it, is a book of invitation, not dictation. Yes, it is daunting in length and ambition: a digressive, eccentric articulation of a ...

    The book's structure allows for a varied reading experience, making it accessible despite its ambitious scope.

    The book's unique perspective on cultural figures offers a comprehensive overview of the cultural landscape.

The Guardian · D. J. Taylor · 2007-05-26
clever 4.50

Clive James's 'Cultural Amnesia' is clever, funny, and a dramatic case study of style and personality. It's a celebration of truth over hypocrisy.

D. J. Taylor describes 'Cultural Amnesia' as a clever and funny exploration of cultural figures, highlighting Clive James's unique style and personality. They see the book as a dramatic case study of how an individual's style can shape their work. The reviewer appreciates the book's celebration of truth over hypocrisy, making it a refreshing and insightful read. They also note the book's ambitious scope, which covers a wide range of cultural topics and figures, offering a comprehensive overview of the cultural landscape.

Quick quotes

    Never was there a more dramatic case study of 'le style, c'est l'homme'. Clive James is clever, and funny, and ...

    Cultural Amnesia is the result of a lifetime of observation and reflection, offering a unique perspective on the cultural landscape.

    The book's celebration of truth over hypocrisy makes it a refreshing and insightful read.

The New York Times · Adam Schillinger · 2007-04-08
thoughtful 4.00

The portraits in this book are thoughtful and entertaining, seasoned with piquant details and memorable aphorisms. It's a rich tapestry of cultural commentary.

Adam Schillinger highlights the thoughtful and entertaining nature of the portraits in 'Cultural Amnesia'. They appreciate how Clive James seasons his commentary with piquant details and memorable aphorisms, creating a rich tapestry of cultural insights. The reviewer finds the book to be a delightful exploration of various cultural figures, each portrait offering a unique perspective that invites readers to reflect on the broader cultural landscape. They also note that the book's structure allows for a engaging and varied reading experience, making it accessible despite its ambitious scope.

Quick quotes

    On the whole, the portraits are thoughtful and entertaining; James takes pains to season them with piquant details and memorable aphorisms to make his points.

    The book's structure allows for a engaging and varied reading experience, making it accessible despite its ambitious scope.

    Cultural Amnesia is a rich tapestry of cultural commentary, inviting readers to reflect on the broader cultural landscape.

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