It is book review time!!! And boy, do I have a book to share with you....
If you are even semi-interested in history (especially of the WWI/WWII era), progress/regress of Christianity, and/or ANYTHING C.S. Lewis, this book will rope you in and not let you go until the very last page... and even then!!
C.S. Lewis & Mere Christianity: The Crisis That Created A Classic by Paul McCusker is a biographical account not only of C.S. Lewis, but of the events, people, and organizations which influenced and catapulted him to the status of great author and common theologian we remember him for today. From his birth in late 1800s Ireland, to his time away from the faith and in the trenches of WWI... to his rebirth as a follower of Christ and the influential relationships with men such as JRR Tolkien and BBC executives. Snap-shot biographies of other pivotal figures of the time provide an in-depth understanding behind each event discussed. A perspective rare but welcomed in a historical account focused on one man in a lifetime affected by so many. The events leading up to Mere Christianity are painted clearly and with such color that you hardly feel you are reading a historical biography.
Paul McCusker's book was well researched, drawing from multiple authentic sources. He spans the events of C.S. Lewis' life well and makes no assumptions, rather, draws from first-hand accounts to express mere facts.
My only critique of this book would be the occasional disconnection in the timeline of events. As the author builds the frame of happenings and seeks to tie them all in for the reader to understand drive, factors and emotions of the time, he occasionally jumps back and forth on that frame-work, disconnecting the reader from what should be a cohesive string of events.
This is a minor complaint when considering the deep theological and historical reflections of one of modern literature's greatest writers, and Christianity's greatest modern proponents. If only more men today were like C.S. Lewis in their boldness of faith and character.
Consequently, I am planning a literature curriculum around this book One which will meld history and the various literary and worldview works of C.S. Lewis as a high school 'requirement' for my students. I feel an understanding of this (and related) works is THAT important to their worldview understanding as they launch into their adult life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House for my review. This review is my opinion alone.
If you are even semi-interested in history (especially of the WWI/WWII era), progress/regress of Christianity, and/or ANYTHING C.S. Lewis, this book will rope you in and not let you go until the very last page... and even then!!
C.S. Lewis & Mere Christianity: The Crisis That Created A Classic by Paul McCusker is a biographical account not only of C.S. Lewis, but of the events, people, and organizations which influenced and catapulted him to the status of great author and common theologian we remember him for today. From his birth in late 1800s Ireland, to his time away from the faith and in the trenches of WWI... to his rebirth as a follower of Christ and the influential relationships with men such as JRR Tolkien and BBC executives. Snap-shot biographies of other pivotal figures of the time provide an in-depth understanding behind each event discussed. A perspective rare but welcomed in a historical account focused on one man in a lifetime affected by so many. The events leading up to Mere Christianity are painted clearly and with such color that you hardly feel you are reading a historical biography.
Paul McCusker's book was well researched, drawing from multiple authentic sources. He spans the events of C.S. Lewis' life well and makes no assumptions, rather, draws from first-hand accounts to express mere facts.
My only critique of this book would be the occasional disconnection in the timeline of events. As the author builds the frame of happenings and seeks to tie them all in for the reader to understand drive, factors and emotions of the time, he occasionally jumps back and forth on that frame-work, disconnecting the reader from what should be a cohesive string of events.
This is a minor complaint when considering the deep theological and historical reflections of one of modern literature's greatest writers, and Christianity's greatest modern proponents. If only more men today were like C.S. Lewis in their boldness of faith and character.
Consequently, I am planning a literature curriculum around this book One which will meld history and the various literary and worldview works of C.S. Lewis as a high school 'requirement' for my students. I feel an understanding of this (and related) works is THAT important to their worldview understanding as they launch into their adult life.
received a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from
Tyndale House - See more at:
http://tyndaleblognetwork.com/5_nav/guidelines.php#sthash.Xb0fjfaZ.dpuf
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House for my review. This review is my opinion alone.
received a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from
Tyndale House - See more at:
http://tyndaleblognetwork.com/5_nav/guidelines.php#sthash.Xb0fjfaZ.dpuf
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