G. K. Chesterton Livres

"It is the purpose of the writer to attempt an explanation, not of whether the Christian Faith can be believed, but of how he personally has come to believe it." G.K. Chesterton ; Preface to Orthodoxy Orthodoxy (1908) is a book by G. K. Chesterton that has become a classic of Christian apologetics. Chesterton considered this book a companion to his other work, Heretics. In the book's preface Chesterton states the purpose is to "attempt an explanation, not of whether the Christian faith can be believed, but of how he personally has come to believe it." In it, Chesterton presents an original view of Christian religion. He sees it as the answer to natural human needs, the "answer to a riddle" in his own words, and not simply as an arbitrary truth received from somewhere outside the boundaries of human experience. "If you've got an afternoon, read his masterpiece of Christian apologetics ... Thomas Aquinas meets Eddie Van Halen." -James Parker ; The Atlantic

The thirty-nine short essays that make up Chesterton's delightful book are the result of "sitting still and letting marvels and adventures settle on him like flies." Actually, the author does move around quite a bit-to Germany, France, and on foot in England when he tires of waiting for a train. Everywhere he goes, Chesterton looks at ordinary things and asks us to see how extraordinary they are: the contents of his pockets, the items in a railway station, pedestrians in the street. What appear to be trifles are actually tremendous, and he uses them as a springboard to expound on Christianity, the nuclear family, democracy, and the like with supreme clarity and wit. The essays gathered here are a testament to G.K. Chesterton's faith-not his faith in religion or a higher power, but in the ability to discover something wonderful in the objects, the experiences, and the people that cross our paths every single day. With his unique brand of humor and insight, he demonstrates how the commonplace adds enormous value to the landscape of daily life. Full of both good sense and nonsense, Chesterton's commentaries-first published nearly a century ago-remain fresh today.

Jeden z nejplodnějších anglických spisovatelů první poloviny 20. století, autor mimo jiné 48 povídek s neobvyklým hrdinou-detektivem otcem Brownem, svéráznou, poněkud směšnou postavičkou v kněžském rouchu, jenž na rozdíl od svého "kolegy" Sherlocka Holmese neřeší případy za pomoci chladné dedukce, nýbrž díky hluboké znalosti lidské povahy a psychologie. "Brownovky" nejsou jen poutavým logickým cvičením, ale vynikají i zálibou v paradoxu, jíž nechybí filozofická hloubka. Výbor přináší povídky Divný krok, Kletba knihy, Prokletí Pendragonů a Znamení zlomeného meče. Anglicko-český zrcadlový text, vhodný pro výuku jazyků.

A comical futurist fantasy, first published in 1904, about a tradition-loving suburban London community of the 1980's at war with its modernizing neighbors. 7 illustrations by W. Graham Robertson. New Introduction by Martin Gardner.

Exploring the undervaluation of ordinary life, this work critiques the dismissal of popular literature as "vulgar." It argues that while such literature may lack literary sophistication, it serves as a vital expression of collective imagination. The text contrasts past attitudes of the educated class, who ignored popular works, with the significance these narratives hold for millions. By highlighting this neglect, the author invites readers to reconsider the worth and impact of everyday stories in shaping cultural identity and imagination.

Francis of Assisi is, after Mary of Nazareth, the greatest saint in the Christian calendar, and one of the most influential men in the whole of human history. By universal acclaim, this biography by G. K. Chesterton is considered the best appreciation of Francis's life--the one that gets to the heart of the matter. For Chesterton, Francis is a great paradoxical figure, a man who loved women but vowed himself to chastity; an artist who loved the pleasures of the natural world as few have loved them, but vowed himself to the most austere poverty, stripping himself naked in the public square so all could see that he had renounced his worldly goods; a clown who stood on his head in order to see the world aright. Chesterton gives us Francis in his world-the riotously colorful world of the High Middle Ages, a world with more pageantry and romance than we have seen before or since. Here is the Francis who tried to end the Crusades by talking to the Saracens, and who interceded with the emperor on behalf of the birds. Here is the Francis who inspired a revolution in art that began with Giotto and a revolution in poetry that began with Dante. Here is the Francis who prayed and danced with pagan abandon, who talked to animals, who invented the creche.

G. K. Chesterton je jedním z nejplodnějších anglických spisovatelů první poloviny 20.století. Mimo jiné je autorem 48 povídek s neobvyklým hrdinou-detektivem otcem Brownem, svéráznou, poněkud směšnou postavičkou v kněžském rouchu, jenž na rozdíl od svého „kolegy“ Sherlocka Holmese neřeší případy za pomocí chladné dedukce, nýbrž díky hluboké znalosti lidské povahy a psychologie. „Brownovky“ nejsou jen poutavým logickým cvičením, ale vynikají i zálibou v paradoxu, jíž nechybí filosofická hloubka. Výbor přináší povídky Nepřítomnost pana Sklenčky, Zpěv létajících ryb, Proroctví psa a Zrádné zrcadlo. Přeložila Alena Hartmanová.

The three great apologies of G.K. Chesterton—Heretics, Orthodoxy, and The Everlasting Man—are collected in one volume, showcasing his significant influence on modern Christian apologetics and beyond. His writings have shaped the thoughts of diverse authors like C.S. Lewis, Marshall McLuhan, and Jorge Luis Borges, marking him as a vital presence in contemporary Catholic thought. Ronald Knox noted that Chesterton's influence is so pervasive that it often goes unrecognized. C.S. Lewis, reflecting on his own journey, acknowledged that reading Chesterton posed a challenge to his atheism. In an era dominated by materialism and emerging political theories, Chesterton's voice advocated for a return to fundamental Christian doctrines, emphasizing their enduring purpose amidst societal chaos. He illustrated the need for thoughtful reform, warning against hasty destruction of established beliefs. In his three major works, Chesterton critiques modern beliefs, defends Christian values, and narrates the remarkable story of Christianity. Known as the "prince of paradox," he engaged in spirited debates with contemporary thinkers and produced a wealth of writings, including biographies and fiction. Despite his personal indulgences, his genuine goodness and common sense drew many toward the Church, leading to ongoing discussions of his potential Beatification.

Two of G. K. Chesterton's most important and well-known works are contained in this volume: Heretics, and Orthodoxy. In Heretics, Chesterton addresses the intellectual movements of his time that he considered most prominent and destructive. Chesterton confronts relativism, individualism, neo-paganism, and other trends of the modern period, paying special attention to the artists and intellectual elite of his time. Orthodoxy, a classic that is part memoir, part apologetic. It exhibits Chesterton at his finest--a combination of literary wit, theological acumen, and pointed cultural critique. The two works complement each other perfectly, providing an accessible entry point to the battleground of truth and falsehood. Lexham Classics are beautifully typeset new editions of classic works. Each book has been carefully transcribed from the original texts, ensuring an accurate representation of the writing as the author intended it to be read.