C. S. Lewis - A Life

Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet

By: Alister E. McGrath

Narrated by: Robin Sachs

Length: 13 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

In honor of the 50th anniversary of C. S. Lewis' death, celebrated Oxford don Dr. Alister McGrath presents us with a compelling and definitive portrait of the life of C. S. Lewis, the author of the well-known Narnia series. For more than half a century, C. S. Lewis’ Narnia series has captured the imaginations of millions. In C. S. Lewis - A Life, Dr. Alister McGrath recounts the unlikely path of this Oxford don, who spent his days teaching English literature to the brightest students in the world and his spare time writing a best-selling fantasy series for children.

Dr. McGrath uses his extensive research and thorough examination in chronological order of Lewis’ correspondence and archival materials to present a new picture of Lewis’ life. This definitive biography paints a portrait of an eccentric thinker who became a compelling, though reluctant, prophet for our times. You won’t want to miss this fascinating portrayal of a creative genius who inspired generations.

©2013 Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (P)2013 Oasis Audio

Brilliant biography of a brilliant writer!

Loved it from start to finish. Was already a Lewis fan, but now I admire and appreciate his work more than ever. Well worth reading.

Great Research, Engagingly Presented

Enjoyed the audiobook & the treat at the end of hearing recordings of Lewis speaking.

Solid overview of CS Lewis' life

The only book I read by CS Lewis is The Screwtape Letters; which I loved. This biography introduced me to many of his more philosophical/scholarly books, which I know look forward to reading.

Excellent work, excellent delivery!

This is a "must read" for any fan of the works of CS Lewis. I also love that they included two of the Mere Christianity broadcasts at the end.

Wonderful stormy,

I enjoyed the book EXCEPT the author really trashed CS Lewis’ wife and I do not think he had evidence for what he said about her.

McGrath’s biography synthesized Lewis’s scholarly and imaginative writings and life experiences.

McGrath’s thorough research and intimate familiarity with Lewis’s published and unpublished writings and relationships with friends and colleagues allowed McGrath to give the reader a deep and nuanced understanding of Lewis, his life and significance.

God's Glory Revealed in an Earthen Vessel

This biography gives us a very human look at a man trying to follow Jesus. That over simplifies what I want to say. C.S. Lewis lived a very complicated life. In his life you see the broken nature of humanity and the sin nature that all those of us who follow Jesus struggle with. Yet in spite of his contradictions, or maybe precisely because of them, God uses this man in an incredibly powerful manner. I found hope in the fact that if God can use Lewis in spite of his many struggles he could use me as well.

I've been following Jesus for over 26 years and Mere Christianity was the second "Christian book" I read after deciding to be a Christ follower. Since that time I've read almost everything he has written. Lewis' books have had an indescribable influence on my Christian life. Understanding a little more about his life just makes his written words all the more powerful.

I'm also a huge Tolkien fan and though I knew Tolkien was influential in C.S. Lewis' conversion to see how instrumental Lewis was in the Lord of the Rings was a treat. This is well worth the listen.

Best bio of Lewis I have read

This is the best bio of Lewis I have read and one that is well worth reading. It is a popular biography and McGrath says he is going to do a more academic biography later, which I look forward to. This one is highly readable and hits all of the right notes. McGrath had access to newly released letters and that seems to have made a big difference. There are some new details that have come out as a result of this biography and some may take issue with them, but McGrath seems to have documented them fairly well. I do wish there was more about Lewis' spiritual development. Other than the Inklings he does not seem to have had a Christian community around him, or at least it was not well discussed. I also wanted more about his interaction with his stepsons before and after their mother's death. And connected with the spiritual development I wish there had been more discussed about this theology.

In spite of the areas that were lacking this is still a 5 star biography.

My full review is on my blog.

Accessibly human

Allister McGrath has taken a clear look at CS Lewis the man, it is robust and human. Bravo! Good work!

Brilliant

I am amazed by the details and the scholarship and research involved in this book. Alister McGrath goes above and beyond of typical biography. I strongly recommend it for anyone interested in the life of one of the 20th century's greatest influences upon Christendom