Heroes: From Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar to Churchill and de Gaulle

by Paul Johnson

Book Overview

A galaxy of legendary figures from the annals of Western history comes to life in this stirring sequel to Intellectuals and Creators . In this enlightening, entertaining work, Paul Johnson continues his engaging history series, approaching the subject of heroism with stirring examples of men and women from every age, walk of life and corner of the world who have inspired and transformed not only their own cultures but the whole world as well. Heroes...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061143162
• ISBN13: 9780061143168
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Lessons from Famous People

Heroes is best described as distilled history. History is most often presented in a chronological fashion, or as wrapped around one event, country or ethnic group. Mr. Johnson's contributions to the genre now include volumes that are essays about individuals, which essays are organized around a type of personality. These are primarily essays and differ from the more analytical types of works such as those by Daniel Boorstin in that they are written in a lighter, more conversational style. Having thoroughly enjoyed the companion volume Creators, I immediately purchased Heroes and Intellectuals and found them to be every bit as interesting. These are books that leave you wanting to read further on the subject and for that reason alone they are successful. Heroism is as subjective a theme as one could select. It is generally understood what a creative personality consists of; however, one person's hero is another person's villain. What gives this volume a wealth of interest are the choices of personalities that Mr. Johnson chooses to explore--many of which were unknown to this reviewer. Personally, I enjoy an author who is willing to make a novel argument by way of rarely encountered sources. Mr. Johnson's skill is to include enough familiar material that his reader understands the gist of why he includes more obscure references. It is precisely because Heroes takes its reader to unexpected places and makes challenging claims about the life well lived that it is so interesting. Despite one's personal views, the quality of Mr. Johnson's writing makes this a required addition to a personal library. Highly recommended.

Another Winner

I have read every book by Paul Johnson (including the "Art" one) and this continues a long line of quality history and commentary. One rarely notices the research, the behind-the-scenes study and education required for such a work. Unlike most of his other works, however, HEROES reverses the usual order. By that, I mean that he usually presents history augmented by biography and commentary. This time it is biography augmented with history, a slight but important difference. Most would disagree with his choices but then the idea of hero is quite subjective. Some will (and have) criticized the book for its European viewpoint (quote unquote) but if that is the culture within which one was raised, educated and lived, what can one expect. Johnson continues his love affair with America, the home of six heroes. (Britain has the highest number with 15; The others are scattered.) His selection reminds me of GUNS & GOLD, the great story of the Anglo-American alliance that essentially built the modern liberal world. I would have never included Wittgenstein, Lady Pamela Berry or Marilyn Monroe in this list but somehow it "works". The author discusses the commmon perception of heroes, the fact that we instantly associate military valor and personnel with the modern version of heroism. Missing were folks like Mother Theresa, politicians (besides those great for what they accomplished. Johnson continues to celebrate the individual, stressing repeatedly that it is not mass movements, academic theories or ideology that drives the world - indeed, they are three of the biggest deterrents to progress - but individuals and what they do with their lives. My Grade: A-

Not for the easily outraged

If you're feeling in need of a hero, Paul Johnson has a few on offer. The 30 mini-portraits presented here cover Western Culture from Ancient Greece to the end of the Cold War. Bookending these are two essays pondering the nature and future of heroism. But be forewarned: in the tradition of his groundbreaking and highly entertaining The Intellectuals, Mr. Johnson has his opinions and isn't in the least afraid to offend the delicate reader. In fact, I'll wager that Paul Johnson would be sorely disappointed if he learned that scores of people were reading his books and coming away unoffended. Johnson is an intellectual provocateur dedicated to questioning widely-held opinions and the status quo. Like his frequent feuding partner Christopher Hitchens part of the pleasure in reading Paul Johnson is not simply to enjoy his erudition, it's to enjoy the fierce contrariness of his opinions. I don't agree with all their views but I enjoy how they make their cases. Other reviewers here have already noted the vignette about thoughts of Lady Jane Grey helping Nancy Mitford achieve a "satisfactory orgasm" (how on EARTH does that pop up in conversation?) but there are other Johnsonian gems here. John Knox as "the fierce Protestant ayatollah of Edinburgh"? 16th Century Scotland as a "tartan version of Afghanistan"? This is not meant to soothe but incite. The scope of the portraits is impressive - Jane Austen, Boadicea and Charles de Gaulle in the same book - as is Johnson's take on heroism. His heroes are not paragons of virtue. They tend to be the right person at the right time that does one very necessary thing well, often in the face of significant opposition. A simple, ephemeral definition that encompasses surprisingly few. In the 20th century portraits Johnson occasionally draws on personal experience and it's fascinating to see how he can admire the heroism without particularly liking the person. You won't find complete biographies of any of these people but you will find what is essential to their unique heroism according to Johnson. This is a perfect book for travel as the mini-portraits can easily be digested on a daily commute or all of them can keep you company on a long flight. If you've read and enjoy Paul Johnson's work before, you'll enjoy this book. If you haven't read Johnson yet but you enjoy lively prose and uncommon opinions this is a good place to start.

JOHNSON DELIVERS AGAIN

Paul Johnson remains one of the few serious writers who combines an immensely accessable prose style with an intellect rarely encountered in contemporary non-fiction. In his vivid snapshots he compresses larger-than-live historical figures into human beings while simultaneously making the case as to why they are "heroic". Many of these insights are cleanly fresh and restorative to a reader like myself who has read biographies of them all. Johnson explains his criteria for judging who and why he chose who he did as a hero. And in the process makes a powerful case for each individual, even those who are frankly a little tough to swallow. Among them deGaulle. From other works (Malraux's "Felled Oaks" for example) and lengthy biographies, my own assesement of deGaulle never changed. I'd always considered him a mostrously egotistical chauvanist who'se WW2 credentials mainly lay in his lucky proximity to true greats like Churchill, Roosevelt and Eisenhower, who in one way or another tolerated his insufferable ego and pretentions. Louis X1V presumably said, "c'estate ce moi" I am the state. In a seventeenth century king it's one kind of conceit, but in a 20th century military and politcal leader of a free democracy, it is a disgrace. Or so was my conclusion. However, Johnson's book brought me a new veiwpoint. I didn't conclude I'd been totally wrong, but Johhnson made me see that had deGaulle not existed, he probably would have had too be invented. And in a way, it wasd probably on balance, more fortunate for France that he was the invention, rather than some of the absurd French leaders who preceeded and succeeded him. Johnson made me see that. And in that respect and in all the other sketches, ever new lights went on. Paul Johnson is one great writer, historian, thinker. And to me, in this age when so much garbage flows from the media. Strongly recommend it and all his other books.

Johnson at his inimitable best

Very insightfull and informative on the more personal side of "the heroes" and as always beautifully written with no little humour.