G. K. Chesterton: The Apostle of Common Sense

The English author G. K. Chesterton was one of the most well-known and beloved writers of his time. Yet he has been strangely neglected today. Dale Ahlquist's television series, The Apostle of Common Sense, introduced Chesterton to a new generation, and re-introduced him to a generation that had forgotten him. This new book now compliments this highly acclaimed series, and it is a perfect initiation to Chesterton. Ahlquist is an able guide who takes the reader through twelve of Chesterton's most important books as well as the famous Father Brown stories. One of the main problems with approaching Chesterton is that he was so prolific and wrote on such a variety of topics that the reader is simply overwhelmed. But Ahlquist makes the literary giant very accessible, highlighting Chesterton's amazing reach, keen insight, and marvelous wit. Each chapter is liberally spiced with Chesterton's striking quotations. On the way, we learn "what's wrong with the world" (and how to make it right), and to recognize the failure of many modern ideas and the freshness of traditional truths. There is something special that runs throughout Chesterton's books that ties all of his ideas together and sets him apart from the strange and confusing philosophies of the modern world. The common thread in Chesterton's writings is common sense. It is instantly recognizable and utterly refreshing.