Defiant Joy

The Remarkable Life & Impact of G. K. Chesterton

By: Kevin Belmonte

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

You may be aware that G. K. Chesterton authored influential Christian biographies and apologetics. But you may not know the larger-than-life Gilbert Keith Chesterton himself - not yet. Equally versed in poetry, novels, literary criticism, and journalism, he addressed politics, culture, and religion with a towering intellect and a soaring wit.

Chesterton engaged his world through the written word. He carried on lively, public discussions with the social commentators of his day, continually challenging them with civility, humility, erudition, and his ever-sharp sense of humor. Today's listener can find the same treasures, for as Chesterton said, "What a man can believe depends upon his philosophy, not upon the clock or the century."

In Kevin Belmonte's fresh new biography, you'll get to know the real G. K. Chesterton and his literary and cultural accomplishments. A giant of his time, Chesterton continues to live large in the imaginations of 21st-century listeners.

©2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc. (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Very good

I would recommend it to fans of GKC. The reader does a good job. Well done.

A delightful overview of a great, joyful writer

I'd had a better-than-average familiarity with the writings of G.K. Chesterton, but this sympathetic (but balanced) account of the many works, motifs, and genres he took on in his career was truly illuminating. More significantly, the author captures the deep joy Chesterton embodied, as seen in his many rich relationships with contemporaries, and the enduring influence he continues to have on writers and thinkers in later generations.

A solid overview of Chesterton’s work

This book operates as a reading guide and roadmap for someone who wants to explore Chesterton’s most important works and ideas. Of course there are biographical details included, but that doesn’t seem to be the main point here; there are other successful books dedicated to that purpose. Chesterton created a massive body of work and it can be daunting trying to figure out where to start. If you’re in this situation, this book will help you a lot. There’s a lot of commentary and criticism from other writers mixed in; It’s very helpful, but sometimes it’s hard to know who is speaking on the audio version.

The man you never knew

Until I came across this, I had no idea who GKC was or what he did. His life sounds amazing and I look forward to reading his works.

Lovely Bio

Excellent bio of a magnificent man. GKC is a genius, and i thoroughly enjoyed hearing more about his life and his influence. i stopped a few chapters in and read his Napoleon of Noting Hill real quick- everything sounded so Good. Especially enjoyable read amidst the chaos and insanity of the modern world.

Wow. Refreshing

I read a lot of cozies -- to get some coziness into my life but I love literature, have a Masters in English. This book elevator-ed me ;) effortlessly into the rarified air and refined thought found in good literature which btw, includes essays and such, not just fiction which I mention because some people think literature is all fiction. There IS literary 'critiquing' here but it's more about the substance, content of the ideas and thought, not inane stylistic comment. So, the book gives us a picture of a delightful human being who was a highly influential writer and thinker in his time. The book also sheds valuable cultural and historical light; like, I didn't realize that people were already in the late 1800's and early 1900's -- feeling and noticing the dispiriting, de-souling effect of "science". Now spirit, intuition, the numinous -- not real anymore, just childish wishful thinking. I'M NOT AGAINST SCIENCE, not at all, only when we allow it to wipe out every other mode of awareness and value. Anyway, this book is a pleasure, uplifting and educational. So if you want a break from your cozies ;) ;) I recommend it.

Beautifully written and read

The book and the performance capture the wit, wisdom and character of GK Chesterton. Makes you long for public intellects of his time.

I Liked It

It’s not very deep, and sometimes I think Chesterton right and the author wrong, but it concentrates on what Chesterton wrote and has very little on the Marconi Affair, WWI, etc. I imagine I would have trusted the author more if he didn’t take Garry Wills seriously.

God from a big heart & size

I did enjoy the book. But I did fill lost sometimes trying to follow. They did mention
other books I would like to read .

Understanding Chesterton

enjoyed getting to know more about the man. will enjoy his work better because I find him a little challenging. realizing his kind and charitable personality will help me see him a little less intimidating.