Dale Ahlquist, the President of the American Chesterton Society, and author of G. K Chesterton -The Apostle of Common Sense, presents a book of wonderful insights on how to "look at the whole world through the eyes of Chesterton". Since, as he says, "Chesterton wrote about everything", there is an ocean of his material to benefit from GKC's insights on a kaleidoscope of many important topics. Chesterton wrote a hundred books on a variety of themes, thousands of essays for London newspapers, penned epic poetry, delighted in detective fiction, drew illustrations, and made everyone laugh by his keen humor. Everyone who knew Chesterton loved him, even those he debated with. His unique writing style that combines philosophy, spirituality, history, humor, and paradox have made him one of the most widely read authors of modern times. As Ahlquist shows in his engaging volume, this most quoted writer of the 20th century has much to share with us on topics covering politics, art, education, wonder, marriage, fads, poetry, faith, charity and much more.
Common Sense 101
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C. S. Lewis is almost certainly the most popular twentieth-century Christian apologist--almost because he is very closely rivaled, if not surpassed, by G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936), the English writer of all kinds of prose and verse who was the most beloved public speaker and debater of his time, adored as much by his famous sparring partners G. B. Shaw and H. G. Wells as by anyone who agreed with him. In 21 quotation-laden chapters, Ahlquist, president of the American Chesterton Society, presents Chesterton's Christianity. The most famous convert to Catholicism of his time, Chesterton stressed the permanency of the faith and its rootedness in common sense, by which he meant the ordinary human considerations conducive to family and community fellowship. Humility and humor, as much as wisdom and logic, and a candid, conversational manner suffuse his writing, and at least the manner has rubbed off on Ahlquist, thereby ensuring that this is one of the most enjoyable works of Christian "propaganda" you will ever read. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
Ahlquist proves that Chesteron's commentaries and views on the continuing dehumanization of man, the so-called social sciences, the totalitarian ideologies and the intellectual fashions of his day continue to be relevant in our own age. --George J. Marlin, Editor, Collected Works of Chesterton
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 61 people found the following review helpful
By Essex
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
Only downside to this book is you'll fill it up with slips of paper to mark pages you want to show others. This was so good, I'm buying Ahlquist's "G. K. Chesterton: The Apostle of Common Sense" next.
Update: This book has become my standard gift. Bought four copies so far and the feedback has been terrific. Somewhat suprised that all Catholics have not been exposed to Chesterton. This week a friend of my parents ,a devout (attends Mass weekly at least) southern Italian Catholic who was in the hospital, said of the gift "You've opened a whole new door for me."
What she liked about Chesterton, she said, is he told her what she already knew, but in a clear, inspirational way.
Do believe if I gave Orthodoxy as a gift, it might be put on the shelf. Common Sense 101 is deep but a light. flowing read. I know those who read 101 will get Orthodoxy on their own. One lady, after finishing 101, subscribed to GK.
Update: This book has become my standard gift. Bought four copies so far and the feedback has been terrific. Somewhat suprised that all Catholics have not been exposed to Chesterton. This week a friend of my parents ,a devout (attends Mass weekly at least) southern Italian Catholic who was in the hospital, said of the gift "You've opened a whole new door for me."
What she liked about Chesterton, she said, is he told her what she already knew, but in a clear, inspirational way.
Do believe if I gave Orthodoxy as a gift, it might be put on the shelf. Common Sense 101 is deep but a light. flowing read. I know those who read 101 will get Orthodoxy on their own. One lady, after finishing 101, subscribed to GK.
40 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"This is not a book about Chesterton," Ahlquist writes. "It is a book about everything else from a Chestertonian perspective. It is an attempt to get inside of him and inhabit him like a large house so that we can see the world through the windows he provides. . . Chesterton wrote about everything. An ocean of words poured out of his pen. . . It is deep, it is dangerous, it is delightful, it is refreshing, it is full of suprises, it is full of life" (9-10).
Dangerous and delightful indeed. In this unusually written but suprisingly well executed book, we see the genius of Chesterton at work on nearly every level. From poetry to capitalism to catholicism Alhquist extracts and applies the Chestertonian "essence" almost as if he were the man himself. He does this through substantial (but not overbearing) excerpts from Chesterton's volumous writing and careful commentary.
Alhquist seemingly pulls off the impossible: He offers a comprehensive introduction to Chesterton, includes enough direct excerpts from Chesterton's writing to effectively convey his wit and stytle, manages to apply his thinking to the present era, and does it all in under 300 pages. A remarkable feat.
Whether you come to Chesterton from his Father Brown fiction or from 'Orthodoxy' there is something for everyone here. I was repeatedly suprised by his timeless wisdom and grace. Of the half-dozen books I've read about Chesterton, Ahlquist's is the most well-rounded and interesting.
Highly recommended.
Dangerous and delightful indeed. In this unusually written but suprisingly well executed book, we see the genius of Chesterton at work on nearly every level. From poetry to capitalism to catholicism Alhquist extracts and applies the Chestertonian "essence" almost as if he were the man himself. He does this through substantial (but not overbearing) excerpts from Chesterton's volumous writing and careful commentary.
Alhquist seemingly pulls off the impossible: He offers a comprehensive introduction to Chesterton, includes enough direct excerpts from Chesterton's writing to effectively convey his wit and stytle, manages to apply his thinking to the present era, and does it all in under 300 pages. A remarkable feat.
Whether you come to Chesterton from his Father Brown fiction or from 'Orthodoxy' there is something for everyone here. I was repeatedly suprised by his timeless wisdom and grace. Of the half-dozen books I've read about Chesterton, Ahlquist's is the most well-rounded and interesting.
Highly recommended.
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book should be required reading for all people who wish to understand more fully the true nature of the human experience. Ahlquist, the head of the American Chesterton Society and publisher of Gilbert Magazine, does a lovely job of presenting Chesterton to the 21st century reader. Although Chesterton died in 1936, his words are as compelling now as they were then. An excellent primer on Chestertonian wisdom and a refreshing affirmation of the Roman Catholic Church. A splendid read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
CHESTERTON RULES
Chesterton is brilliant and Ahlquist is brilliant. Put the two together and... what else is there to say? BRILLIANT! Bam.
Published 2 months ago by Aaron
5.0 out of 5 stars
Common Sense 101 Lessons from GK Chesteron
Just truly & timely awesome made very understandable, he could see problems from his time clear through the ages. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Carol A. Earl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Of course it's good, it's GK!
How can you not like Chesterton literature? It's like non-cynical Twain for Christians. Witty, fun, thought-provoking... I recommend for teens and adults.
Published 3 months ago by Mary D.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A modern Prophet!
Before you read any of G K Chesterton's books read the "Apostle of Common Sense" and "Common Sense 101. Chesterton is not a page turner. G K Chesterton was a modern prophet. Read more
Published 7 months ago by TJ
5.0 out of 5 stars
fabulous book especially in today's times
Very insightful? Chesterton is an expert with his thoughts and words. An extremely deep book that is very easy for everyone to u derstand.
Published 12 months ago by grandmarsh
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Introduction to Chesterton
Ahlquist does a great service to those who may know a little about Chesterton but want to learn more.
The book is broken into segments based on general subjects that G.K. Read more
The book is broken into segments based on general subjects that G.K. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Outpost2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful, thoughtful read
This is a wonderful introduction to a very thoughtful and amazing man. Ahlquist takes Chesterton's timeless truths and applies them to life today. Read more
Published on May 24, 2010 by K. C. Ielmini
1.0 out of 5 stars
A big disappointment
This book started out well, with Dale Ahlquist doing the expected thing: presenting the thoughts of G. K. Chesterton and illustrating these thoughts with good quotations from G. K. Read more
Published on December 14, 2009 by Geoff Puterbaugh
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent read
Common Sense 101: Lessons from G.K. Chesterton
If you do not ask the questions, you cannot get the answers. Read more
If you do not ask the questions, you cannot get the answers. Read more
Published on October 17, 2009 by Klaus Vella Bardon
1.0 out of 5 stars
Too much Ahlquist, not enought Chesterton
I wanted to read some Chesterton after working my way through CS Lewis (I had some old paperbacks on my shelves which I'd been meaning to read for years). Read more
Published on September 19, 2009 by Jonathan Bryce
