4 Extra Debut. Journalist Christopher Hitchens explores the morality of waterboarding, by being waterboarded himself. Read by Roger Allam.

In 'Believe Me - It's Torture', journalist Christopher Hitchens confronts the issue of whether waterboarding is torture, by being waterboarded himself.

Christopher Hitchens was a British-born political journalist and reviewer, who was based in the USA for over 25 years. His journalism, invariably polemical appeared in a variety of publications, mainly in the USA, but in the UK too. Arguably is the fifth collection of his journalism - the columns defined as 'Essays' in the book.

The five 'Essays'selected for Book Of The Week all originally appeared in The Atlantic Journal.

They are:

'Believe Me - It's Torture'

Hitchen's experience of being waterboarded (2008).

'Let Them Eat Pork Rinds'

How the rich perceive the poor (2005).

'The Vietnam Syndrome'

The ongoing tragedy of Agent Orange victims (2006).

'The Swastika and the Cedar'

The two faces of Beirut (2009).

'Flaw Of Gravity'

A review of Peter Ackroyds' biography of Isaac Newton (2008).

Written by Christopher Hitchens.

Abridged by Pete Nichols

Read by Roger Allam

Producer: Gordon House

A Sweet Talk Production for BBC Radio 4.