James stuart bell compiled a book entitled from the library of c. Many in 1962, christian century asked the wellknown christian writer, c. Sep 22, 2017 the book that had the greatest influence on my writing. We personally assess every books quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. The comic book that inspired john lewiss march used. And certainly other books on the list reflect lewiss optimistic view of christianity. Lewis to name the books that had most influenced his thought. Stardust has a much closer parallel to the 1926 book ludinthemist by hope mirrlees. Yet no one could deny the extraordinary and continuing appeal of the narnia stories to adults as well as children. This coincidence was the inspiration for peter kreefts book between heaven and hell. Second edition foreword 1915 preface introductory an argument to design aesthetic and theism intellectual values perception, common sense and science probability, calculable and intuitive uniformity and causation tendencies of scientific belief summary and. But what else inspired the great childrens book author. Now lest you as confused as i was, this is not a collection of lewis writings. Mere christianity was one of the more influential books on my life.
C s lewis biography clive staples lewis 29 november 1898 22 november 1963, commonly referred to as c. It is an anthology of authors and writings which most profoundly influenced the great christian apologist, c. Jan 06, 2018 he was inspired by his christian faith and by european mythology to write a christian allergory which would work for children. Im currently rereading wordsworths prelude, and had a vague memory that it was on lewis. Im currently rereading wordsworths prelude, and had a. Just like this book the other six books, and lewis works can be tied in with the same basic influences.
Lewis signature classics since the publisher began the program in 2001 with nearly 200,000 copies sold in the past year. Almost twenty years earlier, in 1944, lewis had written in is theology poetry that theism was a book too little read. The primary focus of the book is to highlight works and writers who influenced lewis spiritual journey, as lewis is regarded as one of the finest christian thinkers of the 20th century. Lewiss answer to the question, what books did most to shape your vocational attitude and your philosophy of life. Lewis responded with ten titles, ranging from virgils aeneid to james boswells the life of samuel johnson and from george herberts the temple to boethiuss the consolation of philosophy. Ron and rodney lewis are the founders of the lewis influence, an organization designed to give first gen students the tools they need to be successful. Lewis finally came back to god at age 32, greatly influenced by the inspiring writings of george mcdonald and other colleagues and friends, such as j. We have seen how many life ideas and experiences have influenced the writing of this specific book. Lewis influence continues to grow, though its difficult to calculate his book sales because his books live on through various publishers. An anthology, lewis wrote, i have never concealed the fact that i regard him as my master. In the end, that success and other factors would eclipse their friendship as well. Lewis, edition 0002 9781587420054 by arthur james balfour.
As early as 1807 joel barlow added meriwether lewis to his list of explorers who had contributed to. Lewis said he was influenced by the scottish writer, and thinker, george macdonald who was already dead by the time lewis was a young adult. As book royalties mounted during the late 1940s, and continued to spiral upward thereafter, c. Oct 15, 2019 more than fifty years after his death, revered intellectual and teacher c. Lewis still inspires 50 years after his death huffpost. Gaiman has named different influences for stardust.
Among the books i have read and enjoyed with much profit are. Almost twenty years earlier, in 1944, lewis had lamented in is theology poetry that theism was a book too little read. Lewis finally came back to god at age 32, greatly influenced by the inspiring writings of george mcdonald and other colleagues and friends, such. Later books on literature include a preface to paradise lost 1942, the personal heresy. A third author that had influence upon lewis was george macdonald. Considered a classic of christian apologetics, the transcripts of the broadcasts originally appeared in print as three separate pamphlets. Angus menuge, professor of philosophy, concordia university wisconsin, usa, and president of the evangelical philosophical society. In lewis final interview, conducted for decision magazine by editor sherwood wirt, he reiterated that the everlasting man significantly influenced his faith. Lewis and his older brother, warren warnie, like their parents, were avid readers. To truly know lewis, one must become familiar with the body of literature that marked his life. The case for christianity broadcast talks in the uk 1942, christian. Books that may not make the new york times top 100 list or amazons 100 books to read in a lifetime, but nonetheless books that have influenced my life.
My school district recently purchased a class set of the march trilogy, the graphic novel memoir that recounts the experiences of congressman john lewis 5th district, georgia in americas struggle for civil rights including the marches from selma to montgomery. A middleaged bachelor teaching english literature at oxford proposes to publish a childrens fantasy. Not only was he a writer, but he was an influence to writers. In response to the question what christian writers have helped you, he also included edwyn bevans book, symbolism and belief, and rudolf ottos the idea of the holy, and the plays of dorothy sayers. In fact, many have argued that lewis and clark is the american epic. In 1986 he began representing a georgia district that includes atlanta in the u. The enormous recent success of the series of films based on the books testifies to this.
It was the first real book i can ever remember reading. C s lewis and his influences english literature essay. Lewis book is not really ordinary book, you have after that it the world is in your hands. Jim bell and tony dawson give curious students of lewis a glimpse of the books and authors that informed his lifes work and kindled his imagination. Lewis continues to speak to readers, thanks not only to his intellectual insights on christianity but also his wondrous creative works and deep reflections on the literature that influenced his life. Lewis is a reference book filled with selections from c. A study in medieval tradition 1936, was highly praised and established his reputation as a leading figure in british literary studies.
Although macdonald died before lewis encountered his writings, his influence upon lewis was so great that he even compiled a book of beneficial quotes by this spiritual leader. Death in 1963, lewis resigned from his cambridge position after experiencing heart trouble. A poll in 1993 of christianity today readers found that the book, other than the bible, that had most influenced their lives was c. Clive staples lewis 29 november 1898 22 november 1963, commonly referred to as c. Lewis is commemorated on 22 november in the church calendar of the episcopal church. That is the predicament in which i find myself after reading robert lewiss the church of irresistible influence. Lewis, adapted from a series of bbc radio talks made between 1941 and 1944, while lewis was at oxford during the second world war. John lewis, american civil rights leader and politician best known for his chairmanship of the student nonviolent coordinating committee and for leading the landmark selma march in 1965. Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. C s lewis books biography and list of works author of. Seuss was influenced by his surroundings and his upbringing, undoubtedly. Lewiss list is an ideal companion for classes on the life and works of lewis, or for a greatbooks program with lewis as tour guide. The book that had the greatest influence on my writing.
Influenced by chesterton, macdonald, and a large amount of medieval writers. While we cant rule out an influence from lewis, he was not gaimans primary motivation. He has had a tremendous influence on me in several ways. Lewis by arthur balfour, descent into hell by charles. Lewis as a child intellectual takeout amazing to see his reading level as. He was inspired by his christian faith and by european mythology to write a christian allergory which would work for children. S lewis seven part series about the mystic land of narnia. This book, compiled by james stuart bell and anthony dawson, is broken into eighteen sections.
He also had an extraordinary and enviable capacity to recall what he read. Partly out of disdain for conspicuous living, but mostly out of commitment to jesus christ, he established a charitable fund for his royalty earnings. Authors of adult fantasy literature such as tim powers have also testified to being influenced by lewiss work. The introduction by david werther is insightful and inviting as to what delights lay ahead from ten scholars opening up a treasure chest of lewis choice of life long favorites. Lewis and known to his friends as jack, was an irish academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, and christian apologist. Lewis, selections from writers who influenced his spiritual journey. Lewis, the first of a planned trilogy, harry lee poe chronicles lewiss first 20 years. While ive read a lot of books on this list more than once, i may have read this book 34 times. Chestertons the everlasting man is no surprise, and the essay on it is excellent. A friend and i were going to read this book together. Just like this book the other six books, and lewis works can be.
The thesis of the book is that in order to impact the culture in a dramatic and lifechanging way, the church must make itself visible through human compassion and good works. Sinclair lewis books list of books by author sinclair lewis. Gaiman has praised the book, including it in a list of his alltime favourite novels. One day, just before catching a train, lewis bought phantastes by george macdonald at the trainstations bookstall. In 1962, christian century asked the wellknown christian writer, c. Maybe cs lewiss narnia books, because i wanted to read them again and again and because writing begins with that kind of reading. In the preface to the book entitled george macdonald. Harperone, which publishes all of lewis nonnarnia books, is approaching 10 million in sales of the c. He also wrote fairytales such as the light princess and the golden key. Lewis through mere christianity my freshman year in college. To name only one book which has influenced me is a very difficult task for me. The master that lewis is referring to his george macdonald.
The comic bookstyle illustrations are engaging and some may mistake the memoir as something for children. In response to the question what christian writers have helped you, he also included edwyn bevans book, symbolism and belief, and rudolf ottos the idea of the holy, and the plays. Apr 09, 2020 lewis grieved deeply for his wife and shared his thoughts in the book a grief observed, using a pen name. The christian century, that venerable old journal of what christianity looks like from the mainline denominations, asked c. Lewis signature classics since the publisher began the program in 2001 with nearly 200,000.
He was a member of the inklings, in oxford, and knew j. Add to bookbag sell this book add to wish list set price alert. By 1950, when the first book in his chronicles of narnia series, the lion, the witch and the wardrobe, appeared, lewis fame had easily eclipsed tolkiens. He is also known for his fiction, especially the screwtape letters, the chronicles of narnia and the space trilogy lewis was a close friend of j. Lewis in 1962 for a top ten list of books that had exerted a formative influence on him. Lewis grieved deeply for his wife and shared his thoughts in the book a grief observed, using a pen name. He wrote two books on apologetics and published a number of sermons. The ten books that influenced him most 97816289248.
Mere christianity, screwtape letters, the problem of pain, the abolition of man, miracles, pilgrims regress, poems, letters to an american lady, letters of c. This book will open up several doors for the serious lewis reader as to his own selection of literary influences. In this hardhitting book, these two dynamic educators explicitly speak to first generation college students about consistently overcoming adversity and creating longterm success in college. Lewis took changed the way i thought about a lot of other subjects. Lewis a negative influence and has accused lewis of featuring religious propaganda, misogyny, racism, and emotional sadism in his books. Lewis selections frrm writers who influenced his spiritual journey, compiled by james stuart bell with anthony p. That is, he has shown me that newness is no virtue and oldness is no fault. This is a collection of essays on ten books that lewis said when asked in 1962 had the most influence on his life. The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe is the first of c.
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