The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa In Theory & Practice by Christopher Hitchens - Non Fiction - Paperback

Details:
Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781838952242
Publisher: Atlantic Books

Overview:
The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa In Theory And Practice is Christopher Hitchens' fearless, forensic dismantling of one of the twentieth century's most revered public figures. First published in 1995 and reissued in paperback by Atlantic Books, this compact volume strips away decades of hagiography to examine the funding, politics and theology behind the Missionaries of Charity. Written with Hitchens' trademark wit, precision and moral seriousness, it remains essential reading for anyone interested in journalism, religion, celebrity culture and the uncomfortable gap between carefully cultivated image and documented evidence.

About the Book:
In this slim but devastating polemic, Christopher Hitchens turns his investigative eye on Mother Teresa, the Albanian-born nun whose charitable order made her a global symbol of selfless compassion. Rather than accepting the popular narrative, Hitchens interrogates it, tracing her associations with dictators, fraudsters and authoritarian regimes across the developing world, and questioning the standard of medical care offered in her hospices. He examines how a vow of poverty coexisted with a vast, often opaque, flow of donations, and challenges the Vatican's use of dubious "miracle" claims during her beatification process. The book is structured as a tightly argued case for the prosecution, built on documented interviews, press coverage and financial records rather than sentiment. Hitchens does not dispute that Mother Teresa inspired genuine devotion, but he insists that admiration should never substitute for scrutiny, especially regarding the treatment of the poor and dying. His prose is sharp, controlled and often mordantly funny, making serious arguments accessible without diluting their force. First published in the 1990s, the book caused significant controversy and continues to divide opinion, cited by admirers as fearless journalism and by critics as needlessly harsh. Whatever a reader's starting position, it rewards close attention as an argument for evidence-based judgement of public figures, however beloved.

Key Benefits:

• A landmark work of investigative polemic from a world-renowned essayist
• Compact 128-page paperback, easy to read in a single sitting
• Sparks genuine debate on charity, celebrity and media myth-making
• Ideal for book clubs, students of journalism, religion or politics
• Meticulously argued, drawing on documented sources rather than opinion alone

About the Author:
Christopher Hitchens (1949–2011) was a British-American journalist, essayist and author renowned for his incisive commentary on politics, religion and culture. A regular contributor to Vanity Fair, The Atlantic and The Nation, he wrote numerous bestselling books, including God Is Not Great and his memoir Hitch-22. Known for his combative debating style and refusal to defer to conventional wisdom, Hitchens built a reputation as one of the most formidable polemicists of his generation, equally willing to challenge religious institutions, political leaders and popular sentiment alike.

Why You'll Love This Book:
Sharp, provocative and impeccably argued, this is Christopher Hitchens at his combative best. A short, powerful read that will change how you think about charity, celebrity and the stories we choose to believe, and a brilliant gift for fans of fearless, independent journalism.

Please Note: Cover shown is the UK edition; ISBN and edition details are as listed above.