The Inklings of Oxford: C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Their Friends [Paperback]

Harry Lee Poe (Author), James Ray Veneman (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 16, 2009

Oxford's fabled streets echo with the names of such key figures in English history as Edmund Halley, John Wycliffe, and John and Charles Wesley. Of more recent times are those of C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and the other members of the renowned literary circle to which they belonged, the Inklings. What would it be like to walk this medieval city's narrow lanes in the company of such giants of Christian literature, to visit Magdalen College, where Lewis and Tolkien read aloud their works-in-progress to their friends, or the Eagle and Child pub, the Inklings' favorite gathering place? The lavish photography of this book will introduce you to the fascinating world of the Inklings, matching their words to the places where these friends discussed---and argued over---theology, philosophy, ancient Norse myth, and Old Icelandic, while writing stories that were to become classics of the faith. The Inklings of Oxford will deepen your knowledge of and appreciation for this unique set of personalities. The book also features a helpful map section for taking walking tours of Oxford University and its environs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The pictures made me want to go to Oxford. The maps and pictures together helped me imagine being there. This book helped me "see" what I had only read of in biographies before. I want to go to Oxford, now even more so, but till I can I have a valuable resource to pull from the shelf anytime I want to see again what I'm reading about in some latest Lewis (or Inkling) biography.

...In short, I would by this book and use it as a resource for studying the Inklings. Until I can get to Oxford myself, images and words can take me there. --Dr. Charlie W. Starr, Program Director, Humanities
Kentucky Christian University

Review

The lavish photography of this book will introduce you to the fascinating world of the Inklings, matching their words to the places where these friends discussed--and argued over--theology, philosophy, ancient Norse myth, and Old Icelandic, while writing stories that were to become classics of the faith.

The Inklings of Oxford will deepen your knowledge of and appreciation for this unique set of personalities.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (June 16, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310285038
• ISBN-13: 978-0310285038
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #464,838 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Suggest a new title: The Oxford of the Inklings, July 26, 2009

By 

Sheri Dillinger (West Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Inklings of Oxford: C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Their Friends (Paperback)

This book takes the reader for a visit to the Oxford of the Inklings, a society that included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Contemporary and historical photographs are complemented by text that provides context and background information on the various members of the group. This book may have been more appropriately titled The Oxford of the Inklings as it is not a comprehensive history of the Inklings, but rather more of a guide to the places where the Inklings lived, worked and gathered. Inklings fans visiting Oxford will appreciate the maps of walking tours that lead one through the streets of the city and highlight places of interest that relate to this intriguing group of friends.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stomping grounds for apologetic genesis, August 9, 2009

By 

Holly Ross - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Inklings of Oxford: C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Their Friends (Paperback)

This is a beautiful publication suitable for display in any one's home. The photos depict the academic atmosphere that the Inklings, a group of men dedicated to theological thought and literature, lived and worked. The photography is well done and the information about the group is well presented. The pub that the group frequented,The Eagle and the Child, is photographed and described but most of the scenes are of Oxford. If you are interested in the works of JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis or any of the other Inklings, it is very important to understand the background and the time period from which they come.
The history and background of people and places is combined to form a story that is as legendary as the works for which each of the members are remembered. Based on interviews with contemporaries and friends,there are quotes, memories and anecdotes that move the story from one scenic photograph to the next architectural one. The story moves to churches, gargoyles and graveyards. A discussion of when, where and who was a part of the group as a critic and support during the writing of the most well known of the authors' works moves the story along with photos of strategic sites for writing and contemplating the contents of these huge works. A discussion of CS Lewis' relationship and marriage to Joy Davidman is an important inclusion in this story. There is a nice appendix for a walking tour of Oxford and a map of key Inkling sites. This is something anyone would love to do after reading this publication.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stunning photography, June 16, 2009

By 

Melody Green (Normal, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Inklings of Oxford: C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Their Friends (Paperback)

The vast amount of detailed photographs of Oxford make this book a must-have for any fan of the Inklings or Oxford itself. Each page has full color, beautiful illustrations that make this a lovely book to set out on a coffee table. While the text itself leaves something to be desired (sometimes condescending; sometimes overly simplistic), the book as a whole is a lovely visit to a beautiful city. Possibly the most valuable aspect of the book is the last section of suggested tours for the individual who wishes to walk around Oxford herself and visit Inkling-related sites.