Showing results by author "G.K. Chesterton" in All Categories

In "The Incredulity of Father Brown," G.K. Chesterton treats us to another set of bizarre crimes that only his "stumpy" Roman Catholic prelate has the wisdom and mindset to solve. As usual, Chesterton loves playing with early twentieth-century class distinctions, "common-sense" assumptions, and the often anti-Catholic biases of his characters. He loves showing, through his characters, how those who hold themselves superior to the "fantasies" of Brown's Catholic faith themselves devolve into superstitious blithering when faced with the tiniest of mysteries.

Among the oldest stories of human civilization, Aesop's fables are a collection of extended proverbs with moral messages attributed to the Greek slave Aesop, who lived in the fifth century BC. Children will delight in these basic human truths represented by talking animals and plants, and adults will marvel at the plainspoken language of these ancient tales.

London. A candidate for global capital. Centre of an empire. The swift-beating heart of culture. A sprawling metropolis of life’s rich tapestry. And a bewildering Escher cityscape of overlapping and colliding forces. People, streets, buildings interweaving and interchanging. And our eminent writers have the talent and focus to reveal the story that lies beneath the words.

Gilbert Keith Chesterton was born in Campden Hill, Kensington, on May 29th, 1874. Originally, after attending St Paul's School, he went to Slade to learn the art of illustration. In 1896 he joined a small London publisher and began his journalistic career as a freelance art and literary critic before going on to writing weekly columns in the Daily News and the Illustrated London News. Chesterton's poems range from the virtues and vices of England and the English to his worldview and religious beliefs.

As a poetical movement, Georgian poetry is easy to classify. It began naturally enough in 1910, when George V ascended to the throne of England. Edward Marsh, a civil servant, polymath and arts patron, decided that the verse of that time needed to be seen in its own right and from 1912-1922 set out to publish anthologies. Marsh agreed a deal with the poet and bookseller Harold Munro, who had recently opened The Poetry Bookshop in London’s Devonshire Street to publish the books in return for a share of the profits.

A dazzling and uplifting biography of the great Saint Francis of Assisi who gained the world by giving up worldly goods to be be independent of all. Less is more at the highest level. Told in a remarkably astute, nuanced, optimistic, uplifting biography by G. K. Chesterton, known as the Prince of Paradox.

The indomiitable cleric's gentle expertise in ferreting out the guilty is presented in selected stories, including: "The Absence of Mr. Glass", "The Paradise of Thieves", "The Duel of Dr. Hirsch", "The Man in the Passage", "The Mistake in the Machine", "The Head of Caesar", "The Purple Wig", "The Perishing of the Pendragons", "The Salad of Colonel Cray", "The Strange Crime of John Bounoir" and "The Fairy Tale of Father Brown".

Both by calling and conviction Father Brown knew better than most of us, that every man is dignified when he is dead. But even he felt a pang of incongruity when he was knocked up at daybreak and told that Sir Aaron Armstrong had been murdered. There was something absurd and unseemly about secret violence in connection with so entirely entertaining and popular a figure. For Sir Aaron Armstrong was entertaining to the point of being comic; and popular in such a manner as to be almost legendary. Why, or more to the point, who killed Sir Aaron?

Chesterton introduces his shambling, moonfaced little priest-detective, with 12 tales of theft, murder, suicide, obsession, vendetta - and, sometimes, repentance and redemption. This volume includes classic stores such as "The Blue Cross", "The Queer Feet", "The Invisible Man", "The Honour of Israel Gow", "The Hammer of God", and "The Eye of Apollo".

Delve into the rich tapestry of European culture through engaging short biographical essays that explore the lives of twelve influential figures. Join KevinS as he brings their stories to life, revealing the impact theyve had on art, literature, and society.

Discover the intriguing life of Thomas Carlyle through the lens of another literary giant, G.K. Chesterton. This engaging short biography, originally published in 1902, begins with Chestertons clever and humorous reflections on Carlyles literary contributions, before transitioning into a straightforward account of the authors life. Enriched with numerous illustrations and portraits, this work is a delightful blend of wit and insight that brings Carlyles legacy to life. - Summary by David Wales

Delving into the enigma of the unconscious, Robert Browning exemplifies a profound mystery that transcends the conscious mind—a mystery inherent in all humanity, yet uniquely pronounced in Browning, a man of remarkable simplicity and spontaneity. This phenomenon echoes throughout history and human endeavors. Deliberate creations may eventually unravel, but the natural remains shrouded in mystery. Crafting a narrative of Brownings life feels akin to mapping a labyrinth versus mapping a mist; his extraordinary intellect paired with an unassuming temperament invites endless exploration, yet...

Explore the captivating life of Robert Louis Stevenson in this concise early twentieth-century biography, crafted by polymath G.K. Chesterton and acclaimed journalist J. H. Nicoll. Often referred to as ‘The Characteristics of Robert Louis Stevenson,’ this collaboration features distinct sections by each author, offering unique insights into Stevenson’s remarkable character. This recording presents the third edition, which includes structural changes and additional material not found in the first edition. Join David Wales as he brings this literary exploration to life.

The intriguing paradox of Lord Kitcheners life is this despite being destined to become the staunchest adversary of Mahomedanism, he was, in many ways, an exceptional ally to Mahomedans. (Summary quoted from Gilbert Keith Chesterton)

Effortlessly blending biography, philosophy and humour, Chesterton recounts with great imaginative depth the renowned Italian priest and theologist, Thomas Aquinas. Known as the ‘Angelic Doctor’, Aquinas was not just a scholar, but a passionate intellectual who was deeply in love with truth and natural theology.

Bold and prophetic, this essay is a scathing critique of eugenics and the danger it poses to both individual freedom and societal structure. With his trademark wit and moral clarity, Chesterton discusses the history of eugenics and the growing admiration of the movement – then gaining popularity amongst various intellectuals and politicians – arguing that this genre of ‘improvement’ threatens liberty, dignity and the rights of the poor.

A satirical adventure novel, The Flying Inn is set in a quirky, dystopian England in which a new puritanical government has outlawed alcohol and other traditional English customs. Enter Humphrey Pump and his spirited friend Captain Patrick Dalroy, who take it upon themselves to supply what the government refuses.

"And the young woman of the house," asked Dr. Hood, with huge and silent amusement, "what does she want?" "Why, she wants to marry him," cried Father Brown, sitting up eagerly. "That is just the awful complication." "It is indeed a hideous enigma," said Dr. Hood. "This young James Todhunter," continued the cleric, "is a very decent man so far as I know; but then nobody knows very much. He is a bright, brownish little fellow, agile like a monkey, clean-shaven like an actor, and obliging like a born courtier. He seems to have quite a pocketful of money, but nobody knows what his trade is. Mrs.

Step into the vivid, paradoxical world of G. K. Chesterton—where saints dance with skeptics, riddles reveal truth, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Best known for his wit and philosophical insight, Chesterton’s poetry is a rich blend of humor, faith, social commentary, and fierce imagination. From the rousing rhythms of “Lepanto” to the introspective depth of “The Ballad of the White Horse”, this curated selection showcases Chesterton’s signature style: playful yet profound, grounded yet soaring.

In 1910, when the industrialists and intelligentsia both promised only “progress,” G. K. Chesterton was among the few in the West who could see the brewing ideological storms that would soon make landfall, not just in the form of world wars and totalitarianism but in the pervasive modern dehumanization that consumes us to this day. More than a century ago, Chesterton perceived the beginnings of “woke capital” and how it aligns with and promotes social progressivism. There is an unspoken alliance between big business and progressives, he explains.