Early Reviewers

Since 1995, The Economist has included unique and original obituaries in a quite popular column. The obituaries are remarkable because of the unpredictable selection of people written about, the surprising lives they led, and the brilliant writing style. The selection for this book ranges far and wide: Syd Barret of Pink Floyd to John Kenneth Galbraith; Pope John Paul II to Sony founder Akio Morita; Estée Lauder to Hunter S. Thompson; Marcel Marceau to even Alex the African Grey (science’s best-known parrot). The book also includes illustrations and photographs. Keith Colquhoun and Ann Wroe wrote all two hundred obituaries included in this collection. They are both celebrated authors as well as editors at The Economist.