G.K. Chesterton

[ProCommunioneFacior]

I was wondering if any of you have read Chesterton, and if so what is your favorite book of his?

 

[Michelina]

I have read everything he has written; some things many times. "The Everlasting Man" is my favorite. "Orthodoxy" comes in second. "The Dumb Ox" is also great. I reread his Father Brown stories whenever I feel like it.

GKC had a major impact on my thinking.

 

[thereselittleflower]

I have caught bits and snatches of his works, but have not yet read one of his books . . I want to very much and would love to know which of his works would be best suited for someone struggling with the Catholic faith . . I think my DH would be interested in reading him . .

Peace in Him!

 

[ProCommunioneFacior]

Cool, could you please give a little snippet pertaining to what each book is about?

 

[ProCommunioneFacior]

"DH" - designated hitter?

 

[thereselittleflower]

"DH" - designated hitter?

LOL

"Dear Husband"


Peace in Him!

 

[ProCommunioneFacior]

Oh, okay.

 

[NDIrish]

You can download a bunch of his books here:

http://pascal.calvin.edu/cgi-bin/htsearch?words=chesterton

Yes, it's free, and legal...

 

[Michelina]

The Everlasting Man is essentially about Jesus. GKC is looking at Jesus as a man of the 20th century would see Him, in the context of history, anthropology and comparative religion.

It was written at a time when H.G. Well's atheistic "Ouline of History" was very popular. It is the most powrful book I have ever read, hands down.

This book opened the mind of C.S. Lewis to the possibility than an honest intellectual could actually consider Christianity to be true. It began a great journey for CSL which eventually led him to Christianity. JRRTolkien played an important role at the end of that journey.

 

[tulc]

Hey thanks for the link NDIrish!
tulc(always liked Chesterton!)

 

[seebs]

I have a complete collection of Father Brown mysteries, which I love to pieces, and I've also read the Club of Queer Trades, which is wonderfully weird.

 

[Michelina]

I have a complete collection of Father Brown mysteries, which I love to pieces, and I've also read the Club of Queer Trades, which is wonderfully weird.

seebs, old boy, if you haven't read "The Everlasting Man", you really should. You would love it, if I know our dear seebs.

 

[Filia Mariae]

I love Orthodoxy, I really need to get The Everlasting Man.

 

[ps139]

The Everlasting Man was the book that really convinced me. I had known the "what" of Jesus, but that book really taught me the "why" - Why He did what He did and why God would not have done it any other way. Not to mention times when I sat gaping at the page after reading GK write a simple sentence that blew my mind. IMO he is the "modern" master of the English language. In terms of writing, I have not read anyone who is better.

The Man Who was Thursday is another one that will leave you amazed. If you think you can figure out plots, and are good at guessing the end of movies - read this, there is no way you will ever expect to happen what happens. C.S. Lewis wrote an intro to that book in which he basically says that its not a book about religion, not about politics, not about economics, not about poetry, not a mystery book, not about social relations, not about history - it is about all of them. That was a pretty bad description but all the reason why you should read this book!! Unfortunately my copy was a casualty of "yeah man, borrow this book, you'll love it.." that was a few years ago, I do not know where it is now .

Whats Wrong with the World is another great one - the title describes itself, but what is even more amazing is how he wrote then of the world today. He sensed the trends that were developing, and predicted their outcomes as they are today - the fact that "God" is becoming illegal in the public sphere, the gender confusion of our generation, so so so much. He is truly prophetic.

Of all 3 the Everlasting Man is hands down my favorite. Seebs, from what I know of you through reading your posts - you would love this book.

 

[Radagast]

What about his biographies of Francis and Aquinas? They're great!

See http://www.dur.ac.uk/martin.ward/gkc/books/ for a list of many of his works on the web. I also like his poems, e.g.

The Donkey

When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.

With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil's walking parody
On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.

A great poem for people who think badly of themselves to meditate on...

-- Radagast

 

[ProCommunioneFacior]

Wow! Thank you for sharing this info with me. I have to go and get some of his works now, I can't wait.

 

[Magisterium]

I've read "Orthodoxy" and I absolutely loved it! I also have a favorite quote but I'm not sure where it comes from.

"The Catholic Church has been accused of attempting to hide scripture, this is of course untrue. However, if it were true, it would pale in comparison to the Protestant Reformation which successfully hid everything else!" -GK Chesterton(emphasis added)

 

[SamInService]

I too am a big fan of GKC. Orthodoxy, which was written before he converted to Catholicism, is an incredible book. The Everlasting Man starts off slow, I found myself somewhat trudging through the first part, but he began the second part with one the finest essays that I have ever read, and he continued to strengthen throughout the second part. A part of what he is getting at there is that the concept of "comparative religion" really begins to break down when considering Christianity, as it makes claims regarding "its founder" that no other religions do, namely, that He was in fact God, and that as God He became one of us. I really can't even begin to do justice to his argument; take my word for it, read it, be patient with the first half, because in the end it is all worth it.

I also have volume 3 from The Collected Works of G. K. Chesterton, which is a real treasure. It contains the essays “The Catholic Church and Conversion,” “The Thing: Why I Am a Catholic” and others. Find a copy if you can.

Numbers 6:23-26 to you all,

Sam

 

[ps139]

What about his biographies of Francis and Aquinas? They're great!

I knew I forgot one! I've read "The Dumb Ox" (Aquinas) - the best biography I've ever read. It has a unique and IMO most effective approach.

Radagast....wasn't that the name of one of the wizards of Middle Earth?The guy who plays with animals in the forest?

 

[Michelina]

The Man Who was Thursday is another one that will leave you amazed. If you think you can figure out plots, and are good at guessing the end of movies - read this, there is no way you will ever expect to happen what happens. C.S. Lewis wrote an intro to that book...

This book gives the greatest insight into GKC as a person.

Whats Wrong with the World is another great one - the title describes itself, but what is even more amazing is how he wrote then of the world today. He sensed the trends that were developing, and predicted their outcomes as they are today - the fact that "God" is becoming illegal in the public sphere, the gender confusion of our generation, so so so much more. He is truly prophetic.

I have said the same thing, ps139!

Of all 3 the Everlasting Man is hands down my favorite. Seebs, from what I know of you through reading your posts - you would love this book.

See, seebs?