Synopses & Reviews
A refreshingly unique look at this extraordinary man, this biography chronologically reconstructs both Lewis's professional and daily lives in astonishing detail, from his childhood in Northern Ireland and his participation in World War I to friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien at Oxford and his professorship at Cambridge. More than 100 sidebars offer little-known trivia tidbits on the more personal side of Lewis, and cover such topics as the contents of his home library, 10 things he believed about cats, his favorite beers and pubs, and the women and friends in his life. On the professional side, working titles of his books, lectures he gave at Oxford and Cambridge, and his ideas on atheism and idealism are discussed. Essential information on his most popular work,
The Chronicles of Narnia, is also addressed, including the meaning of names, the hierarchy, and the kings, queens, animals, and battles in Narnia.
Review
"Offers an in-depth look at Lewis's everyday life from his formative years to his final ones. The book retraces the major milestones in Lewis's journey, but reveals as well the books he was reading and writing, the people he was meeting, what he thought of them and they of him." —David C. Downing, author,
Into the Wardrobe and
The Most Reluctant ConvertReview
"If it were possible to reconstruct a man's life day-by-day, from the cradle to the grave, then a new and compelling portrait must emerge. Certainly, that is what Colin Duriez has done: shedding new light, opening new perspectives and bringing fresh insight to the life of a man who has deeply enriched, and continues to enrich, the lives of others." —Brian Sibley, from the foreword
Review
"Provides profound insight into the brilliant mind and prolific writings of C. S. Lewis. . . . provides the reader with new understanding and a strong motivation to read or reread this always fascinating Oxford Don." —Armand Nicholi, Jr., author,
The Question of God: C. S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of LifeSynopsis
This biography reconstructs Lewis' professional and daily life. More than 100 sidebars offer little-known trivia tidbits on the more personal side, and cover such topics as the contents of his home library, 10 things he believed about cats, his favorite beers and pubs, and the women and friends in his life.
About the Author
Colin Duriez is a well-known authority on C. S. Lewis, and is the author of
The C. S. Lewis Encyclopedia,
A Field Guide to Narnia, and
Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. He frequently lectures on both radio and television about the author's life and works.
Brian Sibley is the author of
C. S. Lewis Through the Shadowlands, and
The Lord of the Rings: Making the Movie Triology.