Enthusiasms

by Bernard Levin

Enthusiasms

Genres: Nonfiction, Law, Essays

264 pages, Hardcover

First published November 10, 1983

About the author

Henry Bernard Levin, CBE (London School of Economics, 1952) was described by the London daily The Times as "the most famous journalist of his day". As political correspondent of The Spectator under the pseudonym "Taper", he became "the father of the modern parliamentary sketch," as The Guardian's Simon Hoggart put it. He went on to work as the drama critic for The Daily Express and later The Daily Mail, and appeared regularly on the satirical BBC programme, That Was The Week That Was. He joined The Times as a columnist in 1970, almost immediately provoking controversy and lawsuits, and left when the paper was taken over by Rupert Murdoch.

Reviews

[Diane James]

Bernard Levin takes us on an entertaining voyage of what enthuses him, taking us from books, music, Shakespeare to walking, cities and the meaning of life. It is joyful and informative and I share most of his enthusiasms!

[Harry Saxon]

Joyous book about his life's enthusiasms. I shared some but even those I did not love his passion for made delightful.

[Ian Mapp]

Whimsical 250 page book written in 1983 where Bernard Levin - working class london lad from a family of Jewish refugees - pontificates on 8 topics that bring him joy.

I knew nothing of Bernard Levin - seems he was a respected journalist from the Daily Mail (!) and Times and became a cultural commentator, with a free reign for his weekly columns. A small amount of research on youtube and you can see him get punched by the husband of an actress he insulted (now that was Joy, the way he made him stand up first brought back memories of a golden era of gentlemen fisticuffs) and a lampooning on Spitting Image in a sketch called "Bernard Levin Speaks Bollocks".

The book is an easy read - it came to my attention through a walking magazine, as one section is dedicated to rambling - city or county - particularly a walk he completes in London criss crossing the bridges.

Other chapters of food (joyous, and doesnt he like a long sentence), music, theatre, cities, archiecture, travel).

[Bruce]

A delight from 1983 from a renowned British journalist. He explains in captivating prose his understanding and love for various experiences of humanity, such as Shakespeare, or taking long walks. Worth making time for.

[Artie LeBlanc]

A joyous book, which in turn encourages me to do, see, experience more. The writing is to savour slowly. It is woth reading just for page 168 on Shakespeare's contribution to the English language.

[Han Willhoft-King]

Sometimes we forget to appreciate the small joys in life.

[JanGlen]

I loved this book. I didn't think I would after reading the first chapter and disagreeing with many of his more pessimistic statements on modern life, but from then on it was an absolute joy. It helped that I share many of his enthusiasms - reading, walking, art, cities, landscapes - but even when I didn't, I enjoyed his passion for his subject. He concludes by touching on mystery and spirituality, and the things, whether they be natural or man made, that make you catch your breath and 'provide a momentary glimpse into the infinite'. Only a fool, he says 'would assert that there is no more on Rembrandt's canvas than paint.'