Orthodoxy (1908)

I like this book. This is an easy and quick book to get a 'dose' of Chesterton's writing style - and his firm logic. Granted that he writes with a thickness and he is dealing with issues of his day in the words of his day, but his points are very much still relevant. To read Chesterton you must read slowly and with a pen in hand to mark his points. ( )

The first time I listened to this, it was with a computer generated voice reading it. Not very satisfactory, but enough good to make me buy the paper version. Then I saw that there was an Audible version read by Simon Vance, one of my favorite narrators, that's the one I just listened to.

I am still left feeling that this is a book I need to read in paper format. It is so full of meaty thoughts that I need to digest them slowly. I may have a bone or two to pick with him. Honestly, I may agree with Chesterton about everything, or I may not, but to hear his persuasive words in the lovely voice of Simon Vance, well, it was a pleasure and I kept getting lost in the pleasure of it but not being exactly sure I understood what was being said.

This is a book I think every "modern thinker," agnostic and atheist should read, along with those who call themselves Christians, if only because it clarifies the thought processes and causes one to dig a little deeper into why they believe what they believe, whether they agree with Chesterton or not. If they don't agree of course, they are going to be a bit miffed at his treatment of them, in that case, probably you should read the paper version so you can write angry notes in the margin. Otherwise, if you are walking and listening to the audio and making angry remarks, people will think you are mental. ( )

Chesterton at his philosophical best. He presents his personal arguments for the existence of God and skewers all the puffed up, empty-headed modern philosophers and worthless aristocrats and oligarchs. His wit is as fresh and sharp as Mark Twain's. ( )

Christian apologetics in the mode of C.S. Lewis, but with a bit more of an edge. Chesterton is funny and insightful, but I found his take on British imperialism and European superiority will be jarring and likely offputting. Still, it's a rousing defense of religion in general and Christianity in particular. ( )

The ONLY thing I am going to say about this book is:

I DISLIKED it.

I am not your mind so as many others have done. Read it you might like it too!

( )