Rating:  Summary: An enjoyable look at Orthodoxy Review: This book contains a depth of content that its small size might seem to hide; it is a truly delightful 'autobiography' of an author enamoured with the "romance of Orthodoxy." Written in response to a challenge offered by an acquaintance, Chesterton proceeds to examine the nature and character of orthodoxy in the modern world. Its personal flavour is refreshing and sincere, and makes for an extremely enjoyable read.
Rating:  Summary: Dead Orthodoxy? It Couldn't Be More Alive! Review: This book is a brilliantly different defence of Christianity. Chesterton takes a look at things to which we seldom pay serious attention - or better yet, his way to look at those things is wholly unique. Seemingly illogical arguments are developed so ingeniously that when Chesterton reaches his conclusions, the trapped reader can do nothing but gasp in awe and amazement. Every piece of the puzzle *does* fall in its place... "Orthdoxy" also stuns with its mere writing style. Its language soares on another level which is playful, scathingly beautiful and expressive at the same time. When I finished this book, I was in tears and irredeemably in love with both Orthodoxies: this book and the one it was written about. This book is a classic for a good reason. Dead Orthodoxy? A definite oxymoron!
Rating:  Summary: What a hoot! Review: This book is a hilariously funny read of the rolling on the floor variety! It had me LOL uncontrollably in public when I first discovered it at a local bookstore. And I happen to be a heretic, of the early Christian variety with a little New Age thrown in, that Chesterton so apparently dislikes. Paraphrasing some of my favorite lines (about the editor of the Clarion) "he's one early Christian that should have been eaten by lions" or "there's another word for Agnosticism, it's called Ignorance" or "Jesus tells you to love your neighbor, Annie Bessant says you are your neighbor" and then goes on to complain that the reason you love your neighbor is the same reason you love a woman, because she's different from you. He also has lot of not so Christian things to say about George Bernard Shaw (apparently a compulsive liar, I never knew! hehehe) and Nietzche. Occasionally Chesterton makes a salient point, such as will being limiting. But most of it is the very "light sophism" that he complains his critics accuse him of. Students of logic would love this book because it's fun to pick apart the endless twisted reasoning. He gets away with it (and why I suspect this book has remained popular for so long) because of the unintentional humorous bon mots combined with a childish glee and naivety and, yes, charm. Chesterton doesn't like the "funny" adjective applied to him and complains he never says anything funny that he doesn't deeply believe in first. Poor guy. Nonetheless not a page goes by that doesn't have you chuckling.
Rating:  Summary: A brilliant defence of the Christian faith. Review: This book is Chesterton's defence of orthodox Christianity. It is partly autobiographical, in the sense that Chesterton describes various insights into the nature of reality, and various puzzles about reality, and then shows how (to his astonishment) the Christian faith accounts for the insights and answers the puzzles.The following quote expresses this idea: "This, therefore, is, in conclusion, my reason for accepting the religion and not merely the scattered and secular truths out of the religion. I do it because the thing has not merely told this truth or that truth, but has revealed itself as a truth-telling thing. All other philosophies say the things that plainly seem to be true; only this philosophy has again and again said the thing that does not seem to be true, but is true. Alone of all creeds it is convincing where it is not attractive; it turns out to be right, like my father in the garden." But don't just take my word for it! You can read it online from the G.K.Chesterton web page and then buy the book!
Rating:  Summary: St. GKC Review: This is my favorite work of apologetics. GKC uses his gift of paradoxes to turn out one of the most memorable, fun, and quotable books of all time. This is a recounting of Chesterton's pilgimage to the true God (Who turned out to be waiting in his own living room the whole time). GKC has a great joy of life and faith that is infectious. "We must thank God for beer and burgundy by not drinking too much of them."
Rating:  Summary: Work of Surprising Intelligence Review: To know the writings of G.K. Chesterson causes one to wonder how Orthodox he could really be! To be orthodox requires a certain seriousness, a constant respect for serious matters. Yet Chesterson is known to be a boisterous writer, remarking with self-depreciating humor that mystery novels (his own Father Brown sereis belonging to this genre) were the least interesting and formulaic of all novels. Orthodoxy, however, represents an odd challenge, which Chesterson doesn't seem to be bothered by at all: approaching the serious matters of true religion with wit, the greatest of the Aristotilian virtues. The result is a profoundly intelligent, and remarkably sensible in the Thomistic tradition, work of apologetics and, indeed, philosophy.
Rating:  Summary: Celebrate Thinking! Review: When asked at one point in his life what his favorite book was, Rich Mullens answered, "Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton." I was pleased to buy an old copy from a second-hand shop. I treasure a book in which clear thinking is demonstrated.
Rating:  Summary: The most comprehensive vision of the world as it is. Review: You cannot read this book in one session and say that you understand it. You need to rethink it all several times, enjoying it as you enjoy a quality picture: after numerous blinks. GK was able to put inside a brief book a colossal work in all dimensions: deepest logic, total truth content and excellent wording, all backed up by everyday-life examples. As with any masterpiece, you recognize it in the fatc that if you borrow or add one word in the entire book and you end up destroying it. Chesterton explains why the world is insane in his ABSOLUTE view (take it or reply it, if you can) by recalling old truths and new concepts; he re-news what makes sense and why that makes sense. One attracting issue about this writer is that he avoids wrestling against anyone who doesn't share his view. He kills the wrong view, elegantly saving the opponent, with humorous prosaic poetry.
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