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Why I Write

Front Cover
51 Reviews
Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated, 2005 - Language Arts & Disciplines - 119 pages

Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves—and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives—and destroyed them.

Now, Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization, and helped make us who we are. Penguin's Great Ideas series features twelve groundbreaking works by some of history's most prodigious thinkers, and each volume is beautifully packaged with a unique type-drive design that highlights the bookmaker's art. Offering great literature in great packages at great prices, this series is ideal for those readers who want to explore and savor the Great Ideas that have shaped the world.

Whether puncturing the lies of politicians, wittily dissecting the English character or telling unpalatable truths about war, Orwell's timeless, uncompromising essays are more relevant, entertaining and essential than ever in today's era of spin.

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Great samples of Orwell's writing. - Goodreads
This is an insightful collection of essays on writing. - Goodreads
Orwell writes succinctly about writing. - Goodreads
I especially enjoyed his opinions on writing style. - Goodreads
His writing is so good! - Goodreads
But the nobility of writing is "Political purpose." - Goodreads

Review: Why I Write

User Review  - Mark O'Brien - Goodreads

Each one of us has to decide what we want to do with the days that unfold, way too quickly. Orwell's penmanship cuts through the wordiness that only a man that knows what he wanted, where he was at ... Read full review

Review: Why I Write

User Review  - Kayla - Goodreads

****UPDATE 18/01/2013****** Sartre's Essay 'What is writing?' in his book 'What is literature?' has put this selection of essays in context for me. It's forced me to contemplate aesthetic vs truth ... Read full review

All 51 reviews »

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About the author (2005)

George Orwell was born Eric Arthur Blair in 1903 in Motihari in Bengal, India and later studied at Eton for four years. Orwell was an assistant superintendent with the Indian Imperial Police in Burma. He left the position after five years and then moved to Paris, where he wrote his first two books, Burmese Days and Down and Out In Paris. Orwell then moved to Spain to write but decided to join the United Workers Marxist Party Militia. After being decidedly opposed to communism, Orwell served in the British Home Guard and with the Indian Service of the BBC during World War II. He started writing for the Observer and was literary editor for the Tribune. Soon after he published the world-famous book, Animal Farm, which became a huge success for Orwell. It was then towards the end of his life when Orwell wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four. George Orwell died on January 23, 1950 in London.

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