Tony Judt, scholar, historian, essayist, became increasingly disabled by a motor neuron disorder that left him largely immobile, trapped in his own body. But his mind remained active and sharp as ever. To cope with the hours of uncomfortable and sleepless nights he ‘visited’ his past and composed essays that he could dictate during the daylight hours. This book is the result.
In equal parts memoir, critique, manifesto, and whimsey, he shares his experiences as a child of Jewish heritage in post-World War Two London; his youthful political enthusiasms; his academic career in England and the United States; and a late-blooming involvement in eastern Europe.
The essays are of easily digestible length but consider meaty issues – politics, education, religion, freedom of speech. They often meander enjoyably down asides and go off at interesting tangents of less moment. before returning to the main point and a pithy conclusion.
Insightful and
commendably free from any hint of self-pity or resentment at his fate, the
collection provides a vivid celebration of all aspects of life: the good and
the bad; the beautiful and the ugly.
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