The Complete C. S. Lewis Signature Classics by C. S. Lewis
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Book Reviews of The Complete C. S. Lewis Signature Classics
Book Review: Fact, Fantasy Unify Truths in Seminal CS Lewis Works
Summary: 5 Stars
It first seems intimidating: seven spiritual works by the 20th century's foremost Christian intellectual, in one volume. But reading "The Complete CS Lewis Spiritual Classics," you realize Lewis' strength came from a worldview consistent as the Christian faith he embraced and lived. The books' sequencing testifies to this; its' fictional works stretch and strengthen points made in his spiritual works, themselves brimming with allegory to explain his apologetics.
"Mere Christianity," transcripted from Lewis' WWII radio talks, distills the faith and its morality independent of denomination. He establishes themes reinforced throughout the other books: moral, independent law guiding the universe, understanding God's relationship with man (the process of repentance and forgiveness), Christians seeing Earth as enemy territory to win for their Leader, the "good infection" and process of perfection Christ begins when we let Him." He also aligns sin with pride, accurately calling it the greatest root of all sin ("Pride made the devil the devil."). In this context it's the perfect introduction.
"Screwtape Letters," (arguably Lewis' most famous book after the "Narnia" series) reverses "Mere"`s tenets to near-hilarious effect. Yours truly's earlier "Screwtape" review still holds. But suffice it to say Screwtape's instructions and warnings to apprentice devil nephew Wormwood on using a man's new found faith for his downfall provides "milestones," "sudden turnings" and "signposts" to warn against what Screwtape calls "the safest road to hell."
Themes of each book interlock through fantasy, apologetics, or instruction, fleshing Lewis' personal faith and storytelling mastery. Lewis' fantasy "Great Divorce," describes the damned's day trip from their "gray city" (Lewis' hell and purgatory) to Heaven, trying vainly to bend its citizens' new lives and beauty to their old faults and imperfections. "A Grief Observed," meanwhile, is Lewis' heartfelt, resigned response to life and God following his beloved wife Joy's death. Lewis' "The Problem of Pain" rests between and threads each, as he reasons out human grief and discomfort in a world created and maneuvered by a loving God. Lewis confronts and asks us to confront these issues, whether waking from his guided tour of heaven with George MacDonald (in "Divorce") or praying for and re-imagining his late "H's" soul and memory.
"The Abolition of Man" is shortest, comprising two Lewis lectures. But it nearly serves as series summary and mission statement. Lewis cleverly sees through a school textbook's mistaken semantics into a study of natural law (the Tao), objective beauty and truth independent of beholder. This divine, guiding law fuels the tenets in "Mere Christianity" (and Screwtape's Satanic reverses of same), Divine will God uses to chasten in "Problem of Pain" and hasten through speeding His nature and process in "Miracles."
Joined together, these spiritual works make you wonder if Lewis hadn't all along decided he'd use his gift for compelling fantasy, analysis and allegory to tell, then validate Christ's story through his own. Read together if you can, (separately if you must), they'll provide the Christian leader and apologist sword and shield to lovingly understand and defend his faith (and allow Christ to change him). For this alone these books are essential to any faith-filled library, with this collection a compact, cost-effective means to acquire them.
Book Review: I now have a much better understanding of Lewis
Summary: 5 Stars
I have always been interested in CS Lewis from the time I was a child. I first read his Screwtape Letters and branched out into the Chronicles of Narnia. I also found him frequently quoted my many people that I respected. This gave me a desire to read more of his works. As a result I picked up this compilation of seven of his important works. I was intellectually and spiritually rewarded for reading this volume. There was a good variety that included Christian apologetics, allegory, philosophy, mourning, and morality.
"Mere Christianity" was probably my favorite book. He explains some of the most fundamental principles of Christianity if a clear, forthright manner. His views on the potential of man are beautiful.
The "Screwtape Letters" is a series of letters from a devil to his apprentice teaching him how to corrupt his subject. In the process it teaches us what some of our most common failing are.
"Miracles" is a work describing how God works with man. In this book he brings out more of his theology that I saw in any of his other books. I personally didn't agree with everything he said; nevertheless, I learned a lot about him and he did have many good points.
"The Great Divorce" was a tale of a being from hell travelling to visit heaven and learning many important lessons about how we hold ourselves back by not forgiving others and ourselves.
"The Problem of Pain" does a good job describing how pain fits into our lives from a Christian perspective.
"A Grief Observed" is a journal of Lewis' deepest feelings after the death of his own wife. It shows how truly painful grief is, but shows that it does get better.
"The Abolition of Man" is an essay on the pitfalls of moral relativism, and clarifies that there are universal truths out there.
I highly recommend this group of books anyone wanting to know Lewis better; and you will learn or re-learn many important truths in the process.
Book Review: The deal of a lifetime!
Summary: 5 Stars
While it seems that many of C.S. Lewis' works have been compiled into collections since their initial publications, this particular collection might be one of the best available at the moment. That is, this collection might offer a comparatively larger bang for one's buck. Each of the titles contained within this single volume are more than worth their weight in gold, making the collection as a whole priceless. One should realize, however, that if the collective work is approached as one large, continuous reading, it might be seen as a tremendous undertaking. As large as the actual book might be, one should not be intimidated by its size, and feel comfortable tackling each of the separate texts as if it were independent from the larger collection if not only to avoid rushing in an attempt to reach its end.
To avoid an unnecessarily long review, one might be best served, if at all interested, to examine the reviews available for each of the individual titles contained within this compilation. Beyond this it should be mentioned that while these are appropriately dubbed Lewis' signature classics, much of his work is omitted from this collection. A few additional suggestions if one is interested in this author are The Four Loves, Surprised by Joy, Letters to Malcolm, and God in the Dock among many, many others. Again, this collection is a legitimate bargain considering the wealth of knowledge it contains and the comparative price of purchasing each separately...or never inquiring at all.
Book Review: Best Buy on the Market for C.S. Lewis's Works
Summary: 5 Stars
This book actually rates a 4.5 stars with me. Five stars for what is in the book, and four for the book's actual physical quality. My copy, at least, was poorly bound, though bought new from Amazon. The works in the book are superb. I'd all but given up finding a place to get all of Lewis's works in one place until this book came out. I only wish I'd put out the additional ten bucks or so and gotten the hardcover version.
C.S. Lewis, had he been a Roman Catholic rather than an Anglican, would have been canonized a long time ago. As a Roman Catholic myself, I consider this Protestant bretheren to be the most important Christian apologist of the 20th century. There is no current Christian writer who can hold a candle to him, and he writes for believers and non-believers alike. When I have moments of depression or doubt, simply turning to this book lifts my spirit and sets me back on the true course. What a treasure C.S. Lewis was to all Christians, and what a treasure he continues to be.
This book contains all his major long works of nonfiction. It is an outstanding compilation, well laid-out, easy to read. Again, my only fault is with the poor quality of the binding. For $25.00, a book should be bound well, not glued irregularly.
Still, a treasure. Get the hardback.
Book Review: A must for EVERY Chritian or those considering Christianity
Summary: 5 Stars
Christianity is a journey of discovery and growth... Lewis, a one-time-atheist, has written incredible stories and teaching works that have inspired Christians and surprised everyone else for the better part of the last century. His way of bringing to light the answers to questions you have, and expounding on questions you might not have thought of yet will help anyone on their way to understanding powerful truths in life. Reading C S Lewis has shaped my understanding of my own faith in a way i could not have conceived. he does not present new and controversial ideas, or formulas... he merely helps to understand age old issues that affect us all.
This book is a well put together collection of some of his greatest apologetic works that prove and illuminate the Christian Faith. If you don't have it, get it! Then, go out and get his other works, like The Cosmic Trilogy, or The Chronicle of Narnia. Lewis infuses his powerful ideas into these as well, and tells brilliantly woven stories that enthrall our imaginations and inspire our hearts. Please Enjoy...