Heretics

By: G. K. Chesterton

Narrated by: Philippe Duquenoy

Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Chesterton's compilation of essays in Heretics discusses the difference in Orthodoxy and Heretics, rational vs. irrational, and denial vs. affirmation. He questions the reason for the existence of man and the universe and calls out many prominent figures in the artistic and literary fields for their unorthodox ideas; thus labeling them heretics. He will have you thinking of favorite authors like Rudyard Kipling, Oscar Wilde, and H.G. Wells in a new light, challenging their ideals and morals.

He pleads for people to believe in something, but not to believe in just anything. He rails against the greatest mental destruction, having everything constantly denied to you and nothing affirmed. Chesterton believes that anyone who did not believe in the Christian God, was dangerous and were very wrong.

Nearly every minute of this book has a quotable passage that will really get you thinking about the meaning of life and the different ideas that are being put into the world. Heretics reveals to the listener that their deepest held values, beliefs, and moral compasses may be deeply flawed from within. Chesterton also hones in on the concept that ideas are the most dangerous thing we have in life and there are very real consequences to those ideas.

©2016 A.R.N. Publications (P)2016 A.R.N. Publications

Should be required reading

This should be required reading for philosophy intro classes. Chesterton gives you a lot to think about in a witty style that will give you some chuckles along the way.

Amazing book!

Chesterton explains why we are in the intellectual and social upheavals of today. I do not completely understand all that he criticizes in regards to the art, literature, and politics of his day, but I do understand the nature of the philosophy upon which these things are discussed. He ends with the thought that society will one day question if two and two equal four. He probably meant this metaphorically, but, today, political leaders are calling basic math truths bigoted. He certainly foresaw the death of truth in all areas of life as a necessary and inevitable consequence of the disbelief in moral and spiritual truths. The Heretics of yesterday have become the Orthodox of today snd so anyone declaring the truths of traditional Christianity and morality as well as objective truth in any area of life or science are now Heretics.

Readers should know that Chesterton’s style is unlike most works written today. I cannot really describe it accurately, but I will try. He shows the ridiculousness of certain people, behaviors, and ideas by pointing our how they differ from our real life experiences, often arguing that the opposite is true. Sometimes he seems to be arguing for one position, but he is arguing against it by pointing out its absurdity. He employs this technique in other books which are certainly classics such as Manalive and Orthodoxy which I also have purchased from Audible and have been delighted with both.

I highly recommend this work. The reader has a very pleasant voice but does not show much expression. It is an easy listen, though, which is what I want most in a reader.

A very interesting read with refreshing takes

Chesterton has a very engaging writing style which he loves to take concepts that we all take for granted and disect them to show the interesting stuff that is under the hood.

Dab on the Modernists

If there is anything to take from this book, it is that modern society is wrong, and we need to go back.

Typical Chesterton

This is a collection of Chesterton essays railing against his perceived enemies of his day. It's interesting because he writes so well. But some of the names and some of the issues will be lost on a read of today.

We need a GK Chesterton for the modern day.

I'll be happy to volunteer! Modern philosophy is dead. Bring back the culture that lead to so much progress!

Love it!

I have never listened to an author that makes me laugh out load so often. And there are few others that make me think so deeply about truly meaningful topics.

Tough yet Deep

Good book, sometimes difficult for me to follow due to differing intelligence between GK and I

essential reading

anyone considering themselves a philosopher or an intellectual can only do so once he has read Chesterton thoroughly and proven himself not to be

Several essays, and not much has changed

I was listening to this book in my kitchen and on the topic of journalists and journalism, and it dawned on me that Chesterton's criticisms apply to what I'm experiencing in 2021.