Let's make this birthday one to remember.

68 years old (Born on January 22, 1957)

Happy Birthday, Francis Wheen! May your celebrations be as lively and entertaining as your brilliant biography of Karl Marx—though hopefully with fewer footnotes and less revolutionary fervor. Your insightful wit has illuminated history, politics, and television alike; clearly, you're the only person who could make Marxism amusing without causing a proletarian uprising.

From "Television: A History" to "Battle for London," you've consistently enlightened us with sharp analysis wrapped in humor. Here's hoping this year brings you even more literary triumphs—and perhaps fewer battles (unless they're friendly debates over cake). Cheers to another year of clever commentary and timeless storytelling!