Clive James Shows Us The Pleasures Of Cultural Amnesia

Clive James took 40 years to write "Cultural Amnesia" yet this seems not enough for the legendary Australian journalist, despite the book being the size of The Bible

Critic, poet, novelist and journalist, the Australian dry humoured host has a career the rest of us would be proud of, yet after taking a life time to write his new book, 'Cultural Amnesia,' he is itching to get straight on and write the next volume. Not being put off with the fact that this great book is an incredible 900 pages long. I had the sense to realize this book would only have value when I was an old man," says Mr James of this book of epic proportions, which had a beginning in the margins of other books. Forever, an entertaining humorist and critic of his own work he chuckles, "It's a big book and a heavy book, and, if you drop it, it will break your foot." Many of us suffer great headaches when trying to think of a light enough book to write ourselves, so it is not surprising that a man of his great knowledge and standing should take on the works of the 20th Century. Already done before, I hear you say, but not through the eyes and ears of one of the last century's greatest thinkers. We get to experience his thoughts, travels, and general opinions of a world he has discovered and feels great passion and yet also, desperation for - a truly inspiring and funny read, this book will take you to the ends of time - taking an eternity to read it.