Jack's Life: The Life Story of C.S. Lewis [Hardcover]

Douglas H. Gresham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2005

Douglas Gresham claims that Jack Lewis was the finest man and the best Christian he has ever known. Of course, Jack to Douglas is C. S. Lewis to the rest of the world. The informal address Gresham uses to refer to the great writer is indicative of the intimacy he shared with Lewis for a dozen years, living in England as Lewis's stepson. Jack's Life is an affectionate account of days now long gone. It is a personal memoir of a man who touched many in the classroom, even more with his pen, and made a significant, lasting, and eternal impression on one young man. Douglas Gresham is uniquely qualified to offer such an extraordinary portrait.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Douglas Gresham is the son of Joy Davidman and stepson of C. S. Lewis, whom he knew as "Jack" while growing up in Oxford, England. Born in New York City, Gresham has lived all over the world, working as a farmer in Tasmania, a broadcast personality in Australia, and today helps lead a counseling ministry in Ireland. He is also the author of Lenten Lands: My Childhood with Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis. Gresham lives with his wife, Merrie, at Rathvinden House in Leighlinbridge, County Carlow.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 167 pages
• Publisher: B&H Books; Har/DVD edition (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805432469
• ISBN-13: 978-0805432466
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #110,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Intimate Portrait of an Intellectual Christian Giant, November 26, 2005

By 

Daniel Darling "Christian author and speaker" (Chicago area) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Jack's Life: The Life Story of C.S. Lewis (Hardcover)

Like many Christians, I have read and admired many of C.S. Lewis' works. But I have never known much about the man and the life he lived. The Chronicles of Narnia has provided many young young people with a beautiful allegory of a redemption story in Scripture and his classic, Mere Christianity, has brought many skeptics from disbelief to faith.

Jack's Life is an intimate look at the man, C.S. Lewis by this adoring stepson, who has clearly modeled his life after his stepfather. Not an exhaustive overview of Lewis works, not a volumnous fact-by-fact retelling of Lewis' childhood, Jacks Life is a breezy, conversational book. The reader feels as though he is sitting by a fireplace with a favorite uncle, hearing the old stories retold again and again.

A book like Jack's life could not have been written by anyone other than someone like Douglas Gresham, who not only knew about Jack, but about the many colorful characters that dotted his life, including the flawed, but loyal older brother Warnie, the gradually dowdy Mrs. Moore, Joy Davidson, the intellectual equal and only love of Jack's life, and the band of brothers known as the Inklings.

Those who don't want to make Lewis a life study, but are curious as to the man and his character, who would like to lift their understanding of him slightly past the marble and bronze figure we have created out of him, will enjoy Jack's Life.

48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Wonderful Read!, October 30, 2005

By 

Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Jack's Life: The Life Story of C.S. Lewis (Hardcover)

Douglas Greshman, author of this outstanding book, is the step-son of the late great author, C.S. Lewis "Jack's Life," an intimate, tender writing on the life of C.S.Lewis.
In my opinion, he is the one man that certainly has the qualifications to write a book such as this, having shared in this man's personal life for twelve years.
I was entranced as Mr. Greshman released the true essence of the heart of a great man in his writing; revealing to us intimate moments, victories and defeats, tears and laughter of a great Christian whose life and works have touched millions. He shares stories of C.S. Lewis's early life and travels to his death, giving the reader deep insight into a man that has made his mark in history.
I particularly loved the DVD that is included with this book. On this DVD we are privileged to hear an interview with Mr.Greshman who shares in a wonderful tender way his life with his famous step-father. You could feel his love, respect and even his sadness at the loss of such a great man.
All in all this is a wonderful read and one that every serious C.S.Lewis fan does not want to miss. Thank you Mr. Greshman for opening your heart and sharing the precious memories of one exceptional man that were safely tucked deep inside. We, the readers, will certainly be enriched by sharing them with you. Highest Recommendation.
Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer
MidWest Book Review

29 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Unique Perspective, November 14, 2005

By 

John "johnmcroy" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jack's Life: The Life Story of C.S. Lewis (Hardcover)

As others have said, the author is the step-son of C.S. Lewis. He also seems to be an interesting man in is own right, and the combination of his unique position vis-a-vis Lewis and his own character has led to an unusual biography. Before saying what it is, let me describe what it is not. It is not a lengthy, exhaustive , scholarly study. It is not a literary biography.
However, what it is, is unique. Mr. Gresham has written an intimate telling of the life of C.S. Lewis, with plenty of personal insights and plenty of events where he was actually present. It seems to be written with younger readers in mind, and there are many asides that give readers a sense of what the author feels about important issues ( in this respect it is actually reminiscent of the Narnia tales where Lewis wittily interjects an opinion or two). So, in telling us about C.S. Lewis, Mr. Gresham also instills in the reader his own view of important issues, as they relate to points in the life of Lewis.
The Narnia movie will soon be released and, I expect, will be quite successful. I hope that readers, particularly younger ones, will turn to this book to learn about Lewis after they experience the movie. Two final thoughts: For those wanting more of a traditional biography, my absolute favorite is " Jack: A Life of C.S. Lewis" , written by Lewis's friend, George Sayer, who, alas, just recently passed away. For those wanting an in-depth look at all of Lewis's work, there is the magisterial "C.S. Lewis : A Complete Guide to His Life & Works" by long time Lewis scholar Walter Hooper.