Customer Reviews

The Soul of C. S. Lewis: A Meditative Journey through Twenty-Six of His Best-Loved Writings

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I had the pleasure of reading The Soul of C.S. Lewis: A Meditative Journey through Twenty-Six of His Best Loved Writings, written and edited by Wayne Marindale, Jerry Root and Linda Washington.

I wasn't sure what to expect but this book is similar to a devotional type of book. Each entry is inspired by one of Lewis' stories, with a little quote an then the authors' reflections and insight on that part of the book. For those that know the books, this is delightful! I have a feeling even if you were not familiar with the writings of Lewis, you will still enjoy the thoughts and probably be inspired to read Lewis' books!

I especially enjoyed the thoughts and reflections of the Narnia books and Screwtape letters. I gleaned so much more information and contemplated his writings a bit more because of some of the entries in this book.

While I prefer the actual writings of C.S. Lewis more than just taking an excerpt and expounding on it, I found this book interesting to read and insightful. I enjoyed it.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I received this book free from Tyndale Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

A collection of writings from multiple C.S. Lewis works, The Soul of C.S. Lewis is meant to be a devotional book, but with many more "devotions" than most books of that type. The book gives passages from 26 different works from Lewis, from children's works to deeply theological and apologetic works. After each quotation, there is a discussion of how that quote fits into the overall work. Following that, there is a devotional application for the reader to consider throughout the day. Finally, there is a verse of Scripture. Each one of these readings, except for a few, fit onto one page, making them a good devotional for the reader, though much deeper than many "common" devotional books.

As I began the book, I was confused. Admittedly, I have not read many of Lewis's works. That was my mistake. I plan to read more of his works, then come back to this book again. Having a better grasp on his overall style would be very helpful to the reader before trying to tackle this work. It does take some background knowledge of his writings for these devotions to "come alive." If you are a fan of Lewis, this book would be a great addition to your library. If you are not familiar with his works, I would hold off on the purchase until you are.

The Soul of C.S. Lewis: A Meditative Journey through Twenty-Six of His Best-Loved Writings
Written and edited by Wayne Martindale, Jerry Root, and Linda Washington

Whether the words Narnia, Screwtape, and the Weight of Glory lead down familiar paths in your reading habits, or if you are just being introduced to one of the most brilliant minds of the twentieth century, this book is a must-have. It is an invaluable spring-board into the broader range of Lewis' thinking coupled to helpful comments and Biblical passages.

It is dedicated to the need for quiet reflection and the "interconnectedness of Scripture and life."

Designed for the reader's personal growth, each offering is one short page. The book is divided into four categories: Pilgrimage, Temptation and Triumph, Going Deeper, and Words of Grace. There are six chapters in each category from six different writings, with ten contemplative offerings from each work cited. The introduction is packed with valuable references and establishes the flow for the entire work.

This book is three hundred and seventeen pages of sustenance for our souls. It expands our ability to plumb the depths of God's Word through the heart of C. S. Lewis. The contributors vary from life-long Lewis scholars to those who have lived his mind in the realms of his fiction. All carry insight into Lewis' connection to the mind of God.

Thankfully, his fiction works have been included and act as what they are: an expansion of his intellectual understanding of human nature. Story, for many of us, is the link that brings truth to life. The introduction states:

"Lewis himself was well aware that reason has its own weaknesses. If someone makes a bad decision or a questionable moral choice, reason is not so quick to challenge the choice and call the individual to repentance. It is more likely that reason will be marshaled by the will to make a host of rationalizations and excuses for the bad choice. Consequently, bad moral choices can lead to intellectual blindness; cleverness is no synonym for ethical clarity. The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:18 that `wicked people...suppress the truth by their wickedness.' Lewis recognized that reason, having been employed to justify a bad choice, will stand like a dragon guarding access to the heart, thus keeping one's understanding darkened. Sometimes story alone makes it possible to get past a watchful dragon."

We have been blessed with Lewis' insight into the human soul. His ability to communicate that insight will stand for posterity. This book adds to that gift by helping us connect the dots between Lewis' vast works, his enduring themes, and Scripture. It is the work of ten gifted writers who will help move this treasure into the minds and hearts of coming generations, adding their own depths of scholarship and understanding to us, the readers.

Tyndale House Publishers has graciously provided a complimentary copy of this book to the reviewer. Yea!

Authors: Wayne Martindale, Jerry Root, Linda Washington, and... C. S. Lewis.

Genre: Non-fiction, Adult, Christian,

I got this book curtosy of the Tyndale Blog Network - and it is fantastic! It takes quotes from his book, a Bible verse to go with them, and gives you a one-page devotional to meditate on! It is SO cool! I"m doing one-a-day - I would highly recommend this book! It is chock-full of good stuff, as well as aesthetically pleasing.

Ages: 16+

5 out of 5 stars

In The Soul of C.S. Lewis, three authors- Wayne Martindale, Jerry Root, and Linda Washington--offer reflections on quotes from 26 of C.S. Lewis's well known works. Each chapter contains a short introduction followed by ten quotes, reflections on each quote, and a Scripture to reinforce the point of the quote. According to the introduction, the purpose of the book is "to encourage reflection and thought," and the short passages are "designed for the reader's personal growth." The topics within the chapters are varied, but are organized into four general themes common to Lewis's writings: Pilgrimage, Temptation and Triumph, Going Deeper, and Words of Grace. Both the layout and the subject matter of the book make it more suitable as a devotional than a book to be read straight through.

Lewis was one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century. From his vast collection of works (written in over a dozen different genres!), there is much wisdom to be gleaned by the careful reader. The three authors of this present work do an excellent job of drawing out that wisdom and challenging readers to think in order to "gain a wider grasp of the world and life experiences." I find this book both thought-provoking and edifying, and I plan to continue to use it and benefit from it. Recommended.

Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary review copy of this book.

"The Soul of C.S. Lewis: A Meditative Journey through Twenty-Six of His Best-Loved Writings" by Wayne Martindale, Jerry Root, and Linda Washington is a beautiful celebration of C.S. Lewis' genius. The book highlights 26 of Lewis' works and provides meditative reflections on them.

The book is divided into four spiritual themes of Lewis' writings. Then 6 or 7 different works of Lewis are used to illustrate each theme. Each chapter covers one of Lewis' books and gives a brief introduction to it. 10 meditative readings follow that expound upon a quote from that work.

As I have read many of Lewis' fictional works, I was pleased to find that all the Narnian books are included, as are his three Space Trilogy books. While most of the book is not written by Lewis, the writing reflects his work. The authors also take time to assess Lewis' legacy and significance and explain why these reflective readings are something Lewis himself would approve of.

The book oozes of Lewis and promises to be an enjoyable read. Students of Lewis will devour this book, and those who appreciate his genius are sure to likewise be enthralled. The beautiful cover of the book and the decorative art throughout add to the overall splendor of this work. It would make a perfect gift this holiday season. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Tyndale House. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

An author who has long challenged me with his Christian worldview is C.S. Lewis. I was blessed with reading an excellent book highlighting his amazing mind, `The Soul of C.S. Lewis: A Meditative Journey through Twenty-Six of His Best-Loved Writings.'

Here is the synopsis of this lofty book:

C.S. Lewis opened more than just the wardrobe door... He also opened doors to new worlds of ideas, fantastic discoveries, and insights on the human experience. Author of the Narnia series, Lewis was the premier twentieth-century thinker on life, literature, and Christianity. His fiction and nonfiction continue to inspire readers and moviegoers today. Drawing from twenty-six of Lewis's works - both fiction and nonfiction, his popular works as well as his lesser known ones - The Soul of C.S. Lewis encourages reflection on his key spiritual themes and opens a door, in its own way, toward our understanding the soul of one of the twentieth-century's greatest literary figures.
The Soul of C.S. Lewis is perfect for the seasoned Lewis enthusiast, for those who want to be introduced to Lewis, or for anyone looking for personal growth. Written by Linda Washington and veteran Lewis scholars Wayne Martindale and Jerry Root, among others, this book uniquely gets to the core of Lewis and does so by drawing from a wide range of his works.
Each chapter contains an introduction to one of Lewis's works and tens meditations inspired by it. Rich in wisdom, these meditations highlight the interconnectedness of Scripture to life while challenging and inspiring readers to know God and live their lives well.

Here are the biography of the authors/editors:

Wayne Martindale, Ph.D., is a professor of English at Wheaton College, Illinois, where he regularly teaches courses on C.S. Lewis. He is the author of Beyond the Shadowlands: C.S. Lewis on Heaven and Hell, editor of Journey to the Celestial City: Glimpses of Heaven from Great Literary Classics, coeditor of The Quotable Lewis with Jerry Root, and author of numerous chapters and articles on Lewis as well. Wayne and his wife, Nita, have taken students to Lewis sites in England and Ireland. They have also lived and taught in China.

Jerry Root, Ph.D., is associate professor of evangelism at Wheaton College in Illinois and visiting professor at Biola University in Southern California. He wrote both his M.Div. thesis and Ph.D. dissertation on Lewis and has been teaching classes on the British writer for more than thirty years. He travels nationally and internationally lecturing on Lewis and is the author of C.S. Lewis and a Problem of Evil: An Investigation of a Pervasive Theme. He is coeditor, with Wayne Martindale, of The Quotable Lewis.

Linda Washington is a senior project writer for Livingstone Corporation and has authored and coauthored more than twenty successful books. Linda received her B.A. in English from Northwestern University and has held positions as an editor for the American Bar Association, Cook Communications Ministries, and Ligature Creative Studios.

In the Introduction, the writers/editors explains the Scheme of this book:

The Soul of C.S. Lewis: A Meditative Journey Through Twenty-Six of His Best-Loved Writings draws quotations from Lewis's writing. Limits of space as well as the authors' and editors' predilections narrowed the scope these readings. Nevertheless, each of the twenty-four chapters of this book highlight a particular Lewis source (or two, in a few cases). Each chapter is introduced with a one-page summary; this is followed by ten Lewis quotations and ten reflections. Each reflection ends with a Scripture verse that affirms the concept from Lewis. The chapters are bundled in groups of six within a topic that loosely generalizes a theme running through each book in that part. The four parts of the book are: Pilgrimage, Temptation and Triumph, Going Deeper, and Words of Grace. Each of these has an introduction explaining its general theme.
The purpose of The Soul of C.S. Lewis is to encourage reflection and thought. The selections are short; nevertheless, they are designed for the reader's personal growth. Lewis opened up more than just wardrobe doors. To read and reflect upon his work biblically is to take a journey of discovery. He opens a door into the liberal arts - those liberal arts that allow people to think well in order to live well. He leads them into new worlds of ideas and imaginative discoveries. Furthermore, Lewis integrates his faith into the learning process, and this, too, provides a significant model for a reader's own reflection. (p. xvi)

Christians are often accused of leaving their brains at the foot of the cross when they come to Christ. C.S. Lewis, in contrast, proved that a Christian can also be an intellectual and a scholar. Professor Lewis's legacy is large, and we are so blessed that he came to know Christ. His incredible creativity and brain (in conjunction with the working of the Holy Spirit, of course) undoubtedly pointed many to Christ, and many lives have been saved for all eternity as a result.
Although I have read many of Professor Lewis's work, I have certainly not read everything. This book is a terrific resource in summarizes the topics and steer us to works of his with which we may not have previously been aware.

A topic of great interest to me over the last several years is that of Grace. In the introduction to that section, `Words of Grace,' the following is shared:

Perhaps no topic appeals more to the deep need of the soul than words of grace. There is something in Lewis that seems to appeal to that part of each man, woman, and child who longs to be loved. This theme of Lewis's, though expressed throughout his work, finds one of its most endearing expressions in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Aslan, the Christ figure, incarnates himself into Narnia: "the Word became flesh" (John 1:14, NKJV) in that world as it did in ours. Aslan, as an act of grace, gives himself to save Edmund and all Narnia. So great is the expression of this love that it is not conditioned on Edmund's performance or capacity to earn it; in fact Edmund can do nothing to save himself from peril - nothing of merit. His neediness is met by Aslan's love and sacrifice; nothing else can do. (p. 240)

In the Conclusion, the writers/editors explain how being involved with this book has changed their lives:

And this is only the beginning. Many of us have followed an interest in something Lewis wrote about and pursued it with a growing passion for the learning that is evident everywhere in his writing. After you finish reading everything Lewis write, you can set out to read everything Lewis ever read - and that's a life's work! Above all, may you be encouraged by this journey to read and so to draw strength from the Word of God, which is the very backbone of the books Lewis wrote and the life he lived. But the ultimate goal is not even to be a better reader of the Bible; it is to be a better follower of Jesus. Lewis did not want disciples. He would say of Christ a John the Baptist did, "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less" (John 3:30). (p. 317)

This book, as you can imagine after reading the credentials of the authors/editors, is extremely well-written. I have taken seminary classes in the past, and I pray the Lord allows me to take more again the future. For now, this type of book is a wonderful scholarly tome that is challenging, yet still within the grasp of most readers. It is a blessing to me that these books are published for the masses, and I thank Tyndale House for making this book available to us!

This book was published by Tyndale House Publishers and provided by them for review purposes.

Reviewed by Andrea Schultz - Ponderings by Andrea blog - [...]

My first experience with C.S. Lewis was in elementary school when I picked up The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe off the library shelf. I fell in love with that book and read it several times. In this book, the authors talk about twenty six of his writings; meanings, and how to apply it to your daily life. Several of Lewis' books are hard to understand, and thanks to these authors, it makes it a little bit easier. It is a great tool to use along with Lewis' books.

This post was written for Tyndale who provided the complimentary book for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

The Soul of C.S. Lewis: A Meditative Journey through Twenty-Six of His Best-Loved Writings (written and edited by Wayne Martindale, Jerry Root, and Linda Washington) was not quite what I expected. Rather than essays on various works by Lewis, it is set up as a devotional book. The authors take quotes from Lewis, combine it with Scripture reinforcing the point, and then reflect and expand on the meaning behind the chosen passages. The topics are divided into Pilgrimage, Temptation and Triumph, Going Deeper, and Words of Grace and are drawn from 26 of Lewis' fiction and non-fiction works. There are 240 one page offerings, making this easier to read as you would a devotional (a day at a time) rather than straight through.

We are currently involved in a one year unit study utilizing The Chronicles of Narnia series. This is yet another great resource to draw from, especially for the older kids, to gain more insight into the depth of Lewis' work. I would not suggest it as a replacement to Bible study, but it's a nice addition and well done.

I really enjoyed the devotional structure of "The Soul of C.S. Lewis" from Jerry Root, Wayne Martindale and Linda Washington, and how it delves into the Christian themes in Lewis' vast body of work. There's a lot to digest here in devotional form.

It focuses on 26 of his fiction and non-fiction books, in a way that analyzes a quote from a Lewis story, and interprets its impact on our lives. "The Soul of C.S. Lewis" is a comprehensive, yet smartly and briefly packaged way to dive deeper into the stories it showcases. I enjoyed learning about the themes in such a readable format.

Disclosure: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of the Tyndale Blog Network book review bloggers program. I write impartial reviews for the program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."