Customer Reviews

The Magic Never Ends The Life And Works Of C.S. Lewis

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This book is magical. I have been reading C.S. Lewis for quite a few years now. The authors have captured something of why Lewis' books have never gone out of print. The chapter title "The True Myth" alone is more than worth the price of the book.

As a newcomer to the works of C. S. Lewis, I'm thrilled with "The Magic Never Ends". Recently, I've read "A Grief Observed", "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", and
"The Screwtape Letters", three very diverse examples of Lewis's ability to offer spiritual magic to all age groups. John R. Duncan said it best in his introduction: "The greatness of C. S. Lewis's writing comes from his ability to simplify an intellectual or philosophical concept and to assist readers on a spiritual journey of their own." With input from other Lewis scholars, Douglas Gresham, Walter Hooper, Dr. Dabney Hart, Dr. Lyle Dorsett, Dr. Christopher W. Mitchell, and Colin Manlove,"The Magic Never Ends" provides a "rainbow overview" of one of the 20th Century's most influential writers, C. S. Lewis.

It is very readable at 184 pages. It certainly will not win any scholarly book awards. And it is not for the serious Lewis student--but it serves as a very adequate entry level primer for the one who is interested in learning more. It is part biography, part book review, part annotated book list. Much information is given in story form which makes for interesting reading. It is also important for the reader to understand that the majority of this book takes place after Lewis' conversion to Christianity--of the 12 chapters only 3 give prior history. So there certainly are limitations to the book--but if you are just beginning to delve into the life of this celebrated author this is one title you might really enjoy. For those of you that are looking for something far more substantial--even though great biographies abound, I would recommend The Narnian: The Life and Imagination of C.S. Lewis, by Alan Jacobs.

This book, along with Kilby's "C.S. Lewis: Images of His World" and Hooper's "Through joy and Beyond", is essential for those Lewis fans who like to see the actual photos of where is used ot lecture, walk, talk, etc, along with the other key places in his life. With high quality paper and binding, the text is made up in large part by interviews of those who knew Lewis. This is the best book on Lewis to come out in years. Well worth the purchase! Enjoy!

This must be an excellent book because I've purchased it twice!! Anything that includes C.S. Lewis's writings is worth reading at least once. BTW, great seller.

An award-winning director, producer, and screenwriter, John Ryan (Chip) Duncan wrote "The Magic Never Ends" as a companion book to his PBS documentary by the same name (www.duncanentertainment.com). It's the first full-length documentary on C.S. Lewis ever produced in the U.S. and features narration by Sir Ben Kingsley as well as interviews with the various people quoted in this beautiful volume. Duncan has the unique gift of allowing the people he interviews to speak for themselves and then finding the themes or threads that emerge. The book reflects this commitment. It also contains rare photographs of Lewis and his family, as well as more in-depth discussion of the major themes the film explores. A great read and a beautiful coffee-table gift for Lewis fans.