C.S. Lewis: His Life & Thought

by Terry W. Glaspey

Book Overview

The legacy of C.S. Lewis is explored in this wonderful work. C.S. Lewis transcended all literary, philosophical, and religious boundaries. A world-renowned scholar of medieval literature at Oxford... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0884863352
• ISBN13: 9780884863359
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Inspirational Press (NY)
• Length: 202 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A Good Introduction to C.S. Lewis

Glaspey does a great job giving his readers details on Lewis's life and interacting with his thoughts and writings. Often, biographies will focus on one of these aspects but not the other, leaving the reader either wanting to know more about the subject's life or wishing he understood the subject's thoughts and philosophy better. Fortunately, Glaspey did not make this mistake. The book is divided into two main sections; the first of which is dedicated to Lewis's life. While he was still a young child, Clive Staples Lewis was profoundly affected by his mother's death. His father grew cold and distant and, within two weeks of his wife's death, shipped Lewis and his older brother, Warren, off to boarding school. Here Lewis and his brother encountered harsh treatment and substandard living conditions, to the point that the school was soon shut down. From there Lewis and his brother went to a variety of schools across Ireland and England until Lewis's father brought C.S. home to study under his old mentor, William Kirkpatrick. Lewis flourished under Kirkpatrick's tutelage, learning Greek, French, and Italian and becoming intimately familiar with ancient and classic literature and mythology. Kirkpatrick was a convinced atheist, however, and soon his self-described rational approach to religion rubbed off on Lewis. Shortly after Lewis began studying under Kirkpatrick, Lewis wrote to a friend: "You ask me my religious view: you know, I think, that I believe in no religion. There is absolutely no proof for any of them, and from a philosophical standpoint Christianity is not even the best. All religions, that is all mythologies to give them their proper name, are merely man's own inventions..." Lewis would remain an avowed atheist for years until his early thirties. Lewis served in World War I before being injured and afterward began his career in academia as a professor of English at Magdalen College in Oxford. It was at Oxford that Lewis began to form friendships, including J.R.R. Tolkien, that would lead to his conversion to theism and, eventually, Christianity. Glaspey writes that shortly after beginning his teaching career Lewis began to write and quickly found success. His earlier writings focusing on Christian apologetics still stand as profoundly influential works decades after they were written. Of course, it wasn't until later in life, when Lewis wrote his famed The Chronicles of Narnia series that he reached everlasting fame as an author of children's classics. Glaspey writes: "In The Chronicles of Narnia we perhaps get our best glimpse of Lewis' personal faith. A.N. Wilson suggests that "Narnia is the inside of Lewis' mind, peopled with a rich enjoyment of old books and old stories and the beauties of nature." We also see his love for God, his desire for holiness, and the recognition of his own sinful nature. We are able to participate in his childlike wonder in God's mercy as Lewis makes the "old, old story" seem so fresh and

Keen Insight from an Accomplished Scholar

Crisply written, replete with meaningful quotes and citations, this book belongs in the library of everyone who is interested in C.S. Lewis! Author Glaspey is one of the brightest minds among contemporary Lewis scholars --- along with Gerard Reed -- and this book brings decades of study and personal reflection into sharp focus. A book you'll enjoy and treasure. Dr. David Frisbie, The Center for Marriage & Family Studies Author of Moving Forward After Divorce: Practical Steps to * Healing Your Hurts * Finding Fresh Perspective * Managing Your New Life