The Four Loves 1st Edition

by C.S. Lewis (Author)

395 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0156329309

ISBN-10: 0156329301

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A candid, wise, and warmly personal book in which Lewis explores the possibilities and problems of the four basic kinds of human love- affection, friendship, erotic love, and the love of God. “Immensely worthwhile for its simplicity...a rare and memorable book” (Sydney J. Harris).

The Four Loves

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Four Loves summarizes four kinds of human love--affection, friendship, erotic love, and the love of God. Masterful without being magisterial, this book's wise, gentle, candid reflections on the virtues and dangers of love draw on sources from Jane Austen to St. Augustine. The chapter on charity (love of God) may be the best thing Lewis ever wrote about Christianity. Consider his reflection on Augustine's teaching that one must love only God, because only God is eternal, and all earthly love will someday pass away:

Who could conceivably begin to love God on such a prudential ground--because the security (so to speak) is better? Who could even include it among the grounds for loving? Would you choose a wife or a Friend--if it comes to that, would you choose a dog--in this spirit? One must be outside the world of love, of all loves, before one thus calculates.

His description of Christianity here is no less forceful and opinionated than in Mere Christianity or The Problem of Pain, but it is far less anxious about its reader's response--and therefore more persuasive than any of his apologetics. When he begins to describe the nature of faith, Lewis writes: "Take it as one man's reverie, almost one man's myth. If anything in it is useful to you, use it; if anything is not, never give it a second thought." --Michael Joseph Gross

Review

"A rare and memorable book." —Saturday Review

"The Four Loves deserves to become a minor classic as a modern mirror of our souls, a mirror of the virtues and failings of human loving." —New York Times Book Review

"[Lewis] has never written better. Nearly every page scintillates with observations which are illuminating, provocative and original." —Church Times

"What is interesting about these chapters is the extent to which a non-believer can follow the argument and receive enlightenment … Lewis has a keen eye, a large measure of human sympathy, wit, and a command of simple words … By writing so well and so perceptively about ‘natural’ human conduct, Lewis makes the strongest case for examining his conclusions with respect. He is writing, presumably, for the unconverted as well as for Christians, and whatever the former may believe or disbelieve about God they are persuaded that he could only exist as a culmination in absolute terms of their deepest moral convictions."—Times Literary Supplement

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Product details

Series: Harvest Book
Paperback: 156 pages
Publisher: Harvest Books; 1 edition (September 29, 1971)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0156329301
ISBN-13: 978-0156329309
Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.4 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 395 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,158 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Religious Studies > Christianity
- #56 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Christian Living > Dating & Relationships
- #147 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Worship & Devotion > Inspirational

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Witty and Profound Look at Love

May 26, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

C.S. Lewis brings theology, philosophy and plain old homespun wisdom alive in this profound book on the 4 loves. Beginning with an introduction to love and the purpose of love, Lewis then takes the reader on an expose on the four loves of:

*Affection
*Friendship
*Eros
*Charity

The entire book is not only profound in basis and thought, but Lewis brings a sense of humor and levity to what could be (and sometimes is in the book) a very weighty subject. Writing from a Christian perspective, Lewis ends up tying all love back to divinity through comparison and contrasting.

A great book. Well worth the few hours it will take to get through for the first time. It may end up a treasured part of your collection.

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booklover

He is particularly pleased that C

December 9, 2016

Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase

This CD set was a gift for my husband. He listens in his car driving to-and-from work and absolutely loves them. He is particularly pleased that C. S. Lewis himself is delivering the talks. C.S. Lewis has always been a favorite author and these CDs just reinforce that feeling. They are lovely. Thanks for offering them.

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All loves in Love

January 19, 2008

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Within this work, Mr. Lewis is quick to point out the inherent difficulty with regard to the concept of love facing individuals whose native tongue is English. That is, it is easily recognized that there exists an extreme deficit when one applies the same word to describe the sentiment shared with one's spouse, as well as their favorite food. In such extreme cases of difference in terms of the word's application, clarification is hardly needed and might be written off as an embellishment about that which one feels about, say, strawberries or chocolate. However, other instances are more difficult to write off as a poor choice of words; such as, love for friends, family, a spouse, and God. One must surely agree that the sentiment in each of these instances of love can exist and be experienced in significantly different ways. While love is the umbrella under which all of these sentiments rest, they are, as far as most people can tell, very different things. That being said, it is lucky for the reader that Mr. Lewis, almost immediately, circumvents the language barrier and begins to illustrate the foundational understanding which must be apparent for further exploration of the concepts of love to proceed. For those who have struggled with this, even the simplest concept of love's significance, as this reviewer has, the first chapter alone is worth the price of this work's purchase.

Building upon a necessary base of knowledge, Lewis begins to explore the nature of love beginning with that love which might be the gray area between the words love and like, or either of the two, as spoken in the English language. Lewis continues his endeavor by tackling what people often consider the more significant forms of love such as friendship, erotic love, and the love of and for God. While no attempt will be made here to convey the significance of the final chapter regarding actual Love in fear of diluting a brilliant message, each of the chapters leading up to that point share common threads. That is, Mr. Lewis illustrates the difficulty which can be had with love in any form if left to our own devices. This illustration is achieved in the author's typical fashion of profound analogies and appeals to common experiences. One can be certain that while this recognition of the volatility of human love is of extreme importance, it is the overriding concept that only by surrendering these loves to Love that one can achieve happiness, solace, and purity in Love which makes this work unquestionably valuable to those that are fortunate enough to read it.

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Corum Seth Smith

Affection, Eros, Friendship, Charity: The Four Loves

July 13, 2005

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

C.S. Lewis wrote this book late in his life after he had experienced love with a colleague in writing. He gives sound advice that I believe applies to a broader base than his usual Christian readership. The four loves are: Affection, Eros, Friendship, and Charity. Each type of love has a chapter dedicated to a fuller explanation.

My favorite section is the one he wrote on Friendship. I think he is honest about limitations we place on who becomes our friends. Many believe any two people can become good friends, when in reality, this is just not so. Friends are people who share some vision or passion in life. That vision or passion is the cement of the common bond. Lewis had deep friendships with interesting people, such as Tolkien. He even elaborates on his own experiences with such companions.

Charity is the true form of love. Charity is the deepest form of giving our feeling, freedom, and even our very selves, to each other and finally, to God, whom Lewis calls "Love Himself." There is wisdom in his admonition that love is not easy or cheap. Work, loss, and sacrifice often accompany the application of true love, which is charity.

Unlike other works, such as "Miracles" or "Mere Christianity" where logic sets the primary pace, "The Four Loves" is a book where Lewis brings much of his experience to light. This is not, however, to say that Lewis does not apply logic to experience. Rather, Lewis uses logic to makes sense of experiences in his past to try and uncover truths about love.

In writing about love, Lewis articulates some significant moral, social, and psychological truths. Most importantly, he shows that love itself is not God. Love exalted to divinity becomes a "demon," as he quotes one of his contemporaries. Love is only a part of the greatness of our complex lives, not the full of it. "The Four Loves" is another insightful masterpiece by C.S. Lewis.

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cwhaskell

To be read in a contemplative state

August 14, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

There are easy things to scoff at or to be disillusioned by in the examples Lewis provides, but I challenge anyone to say they are not touched by the sentiment of the frailty of love - as we experience it if we are being completely honest - that these pages strive to address. Written by a Christian, but written about the human quest to find their strength through the differing kinds of love.

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Fractal Cat

memorable read

December 1, 2014

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

will never forget this book. it has stayed with me. i was mesmerized by Lewis' thinking skills, the way he approached his topic. what a master! it is a really old book yet still commands a high price on amazon. i'd purchase the ebook, but it is $10! i actually think it is terrific the way the writing has retained its Voice with readers, enough to be priced like a newly written book, even though i am a cheapskate and will not pay for another copy in my format of choice. :)

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Most recent customer reviews

Mature love

Beautifully written. If you're on this page, it's been recommended to you. Heed the recommendation! Explores the concept of love in greater depth.Read more

Published 12 days ago by NotRickJames

Not vintage Lewis

I really struggled with how to rate this, probably because I really struggled with the book. Unlike some of my favorite C.S.Read more

Published 13 days ago by J. Foster

Lewis mixes theology and psychology

What a great book. Lewis skilfully explains the human condition from the perspective of our relationships one with another and thereby builds a framework of how God, or rather...Read more

Published 23 days ago by Leanne rhodes

Five Stars

Never heard this explanation of love before and really enjoyed the book and his writing.

Published 1 month ago by sallykintz

I wanted to read it again because I had enjoyed it so much

I read this book back in the 1980s when I was a senior in High School, I wanted to read it again because I had enjoyed it so much. It was well worth reading again. Dr.Read more

Published 2 months ago by Stephen

needs clearer description

description did not indicate it is bilingual.

Published 2 months ago by Laverne R. Swanson

Five Stars

Classic!

Published 3 months ago by D.L

Five Stars

great product, great service

Published 3 months ago by yellow

Four Stars

Liked it

Published 3 months ago by Joe Shore

Awfull Audible

I had Audible on this book, which made this book unintelligible. Mispronounced words. Wrong tense. Wrong context. Stars on Audible, not Lewis.

Published 3 months ago by Amazon Customer

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