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

This essay is one in a series titled The Defendant, first published as a collection in 1901, after the individual essays were published in The Speaker. Here, a selection of these essays has been reissued by Voices of Today for a new generation.

Eight adventures in this classic British mystery series featuring Horne Fisher and his trusted friend Harold March. Horne is a natural sleuth, but his inquiries develop moral consequences. Notable for their wit and sense of wonder, these tales offer an evocative portrait of upper crust English society before World War One. Contains eight stories: "The Face in the Target", "The Vanishing Prince", "The Soul of the Schoolboy", "The Bottomless Well", "The Fad of the Fisherman", "The Hole in the Wall", "The Temple of Silence", and "The Vengeance of the Statue."

Poet Gabriel Syme believes in the beauty of order and, as such, is recruited by Scotland Yard to an anti-anarchist police corp. While undercover, Syme meets fellow poet Lucian Gregory, a verse writer devoted to disorder, who introduces him to London’s anarchist underworld. Just as Gregory is to be elected to the central council, Syme’s cover is revealed and he is forced to make a decision that sends the cabal into chaos. Is anyone in this underground faction who or what they seem? Syme suddenly realizes he doesn’t have all the answers.

A wonderful selection of some of the most bizarre and unsettling stories ever written.

Orthodoxy (1908) by G. K. Chesterton is a classic of Christian apologetics. The audiobook is a companion to his volume of essays titled Heretics, and focuses on the Apostles' Creed. It was written when Chesterton was an Anglican; he converted to Catholicism 14 years later. The prose is witty and incisive, meaning Chesterton at the height of his power.

From London to Cornwall, then to Italy and France, a short, shabby priest takes on bandits, traitors, and killers. Why is he so successful? The reason is that after years spent in the priesthood, Father Brown knows human nature and is not afraid of its dark side. Thus he understands criminal motivation and how to deal with it.

Dive into a world where the impossible becomes reality! Tales of the Long Bow explores extraordinary feats that defy belief—stories that might leave you wondering if they could truly exist. With a whimsical touch, the narrator invites you to suspend your disbelief and consider tales as fantastical as a cow leaping over the moon or an introspective soul diving into their own depths. These tall tales, while absurd, may hold a kernel of truth, challenging our perceptions and tickling our imaginations. Get ready for a journey through a topsy-turvy realm where the improbable reigns supreme!

Dive into the whimsical tale of Don Quixote as he gallops into a vibrant realm of festivities and merriment, playfully challenging the rigid structures of realism with his sharp wit and well-aimed lance. A learned librarian ascends to the title of King at Arms, ruling over modern England with medieval principles, all while invigorating the aristocracy and stirring a newfound belief in their privileges, much to the dismay of the trade unions.

Originally published in 1911 as a delightful gift for admirers of G.K. Chestertons work, this charming collection brings together twelve essays from The Defendant, Varied Types, and Tremendous Trifles. Each piece offers a glimpse into the unique perspective and intricate character of Chesterton, showcasing the wit and wisdom that have captivated readers for generations. Join us as we explore the margins of his thought and the distinctive flavor of his literary voice. (Summary by Phil Chenevert)

A fictional priest and amateur detective named Father Brown had a face once described “as round and dull as a Norfolk dumpling”. This made him appear somewhat clumsy and naïve, but that didn’t take into account his keen understanding of human nature and exceptional intuition. Stories include: “The Blue Cross”, “The Secret Garden”, “The Queer Feet”, “The Flying Stars”, “The Invisible Man”, and more.

Comedy, mystery, classic horror, children's stories, adventure and more! The range of titles available in the complete fourth season of The Classic Tales Podcast is unparalleled! It contains 29 audiobooks, including two complete novels and three newly recorded stories. It's over 39 hours long!

In this stirring epic poem, delve into the tale of Alfred the Great as he valiantly defends Christian England against the fierce Viking invaders. The pivotal battle unfolds near a white horse mark etched into a hill, giving the poem its evocative name. G.K. Chesterton interprets this mark not just as a landmark, but as a powerful symbol of the ongoing struggle to preserve the Christian culture and values that Alfred fought so hard to defend. - Summary by Robin Lamb

Dive into the heart of an English epic poem that chronicles the valiant journey of Alfred the Great as he defends the essence of Christian civilization against the encroaching darkness of Northern nihilism. After suffering a series of defeats at the hands of the fierce Danes, a divine vision on the river island of Athelney ignites a spark of hope in Alfred. Though it offers no guarantees of triumph in the battles ahead, it inspires him to unite his chieftains for a heroic last stand. Join Alfred as he traverses the land, gathering his loyal men and even infiltrating enemy camps under the guise...

This is an essay from the Favorite Essays collection.

A wonderful selection of classic Christmas poetry from G. K. Chesterton, Henry Vaughan, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Robert Burns, Lord Tennyson, and many more.

This is a new edition of the first collection of G. K. Chesterton's masterful mysteries, The Innocence of Father Brown. Contains 12 thrilling tales, including "The Blue Cross", "The Invisible Man", and "The Sins of Prince Saradine". The audiobook is expertly narrated by British actor Nigel Peever, who brings to life Father Brown and all of Chesterton's marvelous characters.

Victoria’s reign was long and presided over the restless expansion of the British Empire and reams of creative genius. Within these volumes we can bring only a glimpse of the richness, beauty and words of their poets and their musings on this remarkable age. Many are world renowned - Tennyson, Browning, Arnold, Kipling, Austin, Hopkins, Hardy and Swinburne. Some almost forgotten - Patmore, Newbolt, Synge. And some are barely noted - Lyall, Meynell and Merdeith. But together they encompass a great poetical age.

In this classic of Christian apologetics, Chesterton lays out a sort of “spiritual autobiography”—how he personally came to believe. Chesterton considered it a companion book to his earlier work Heretics. Where Heretics was a collection of essays defending the Christian faith, Orthodoxy is Chesterton’s own story of how he came to believe that faith.

Set in London in the early 1900s, this metaphysical thriller follows undercover policeman Gabriel Syme, who, in partnership with a Scotland Yard task force, attempts to take down underground anarchists. Syme encounters Lucian Gregory, a passionate anarchist, who eventually takes him to a secret meeting place. Once there, Syme begins to influence the anarchists and is eventually elected to the central council. In his attempts to destroy the council of anarchists from the inside, he starts to uncover more secrets, each more mysterious than the last.

From 1974, five full-cast dramatisations of the short stories by GK Chesterton, starring Leslie French as the investigating Roman Catholic priest and Willie Rushton as GK Chesterton. Created in 1910, Father Brown inhabited the pages of several short story collections and novels before appearing in adaptations for film, TV, radio and theatre. His most recent incarnation is in the hit BBC TV series starring Mark Williams in the title role.