C. S. Lewis: Images of His World

This reissue of the out of print C.S. Lewis: Images of His World puts together a fine collection of photos depicting the places Lewis lived and visited as well as the people he knew. It does a good job of filling in the imagination for the reader of C.S. Lewis. The photos are accompanied by subtexts explaining each picture's content and in many cases they are accompanied by a quotation from one of Lewis's works. An introduction, chronology of Lewis's life, and brief biographical sketch complete the work. Although this is a reissue of the original book that came out in 1973, there has been a major overhaul to the layout, yielding both positive and negative results. First, the new edition is slightly smaller in size. Second, the orientation has been changed: the original book was 9 inches high and 11 inches wide, whereas the new book is just the opposite orientation of 10 1/2 inches high and 8 inches wide; (imagine a regular magazine and you have the layout for the new edition; turn the magazine on its side and put the binding on the left and you have the layout of the old edition.) These changes unfortunately have resulted in some photos that were formerly seen in their entirety on one page now being split over two pages. Result: artistically inferior. The third change, is that the order of the photos has undergone a major reshuffling, as has the texts that accompany them. Most of the material in the first book still appears in the second, but the order is different. (A couple of C.S. Lewis drawings in letters to Owen Barfield that appeared in the first edition of this book have been dropped from the new edition.) The fourth change is quite positive. It is amazing to see what a difference a mere three decades can make in photo reproductive technology. The book has a mixture of black & white and color photos, and while the black & white photos don't change much between the first and second edition of this book, the color photos are FAR better in the new edition. The subjects depicted have had their color restored and no longer appear to be so drab: one is reminded of what the Sistine Chapel looked like before and after the late 20th century restoration. Photos of such things as Tintern Abbey or Beaumaris Castle are brought to life by the new technology and are much more pleasing to the eye. To sum, many overall changes have been made to the quality of the photos as well as the layout of their presentation. I think the net effect is zero: two steps forward and two steps backwards. It's a pity, really, because the old layout could have been kept while using new photo reproductive technology to enhance the photos. Oh well, the bottom line is that if you don't have a copy of this book, by all means buy it - you'll be pleased with the purchase. If you have the original book, you still might want to purchase the new edition as many of the photos have been vividly enhanced. (Conversely, if you have the new edition

If C.S. LEWIS: IMAGES OF HIS WORLD sounds familiar to avid scholars of Lewis, it's because this is a reissue of a classic which probes the people and places which inspired the religious author. Photos and text - much of which are Lewis's own words - survey his friendships, beloved places, friends, family and colleagues in a fine survey of his life and faith. Lewis was captivated by the myths and legends of the North as a young child: his interest served as both a starting point for his involvement in religion and as a starting point for his literary creations. Any who would understand Lewis will find this a visual treat and a powerful starting point for understanding his vast wellspring.

If you love C.S. Lewis as much as I do, then you will find this book captivating, transporting you into the world of Jack as a boy and as a man, as a pagan and as a Christian. Hopefully it will be back in print soon. Every page is lavishly illustrated with photos and artwork of people and places that were dear to Lewis. What makes it even more special are the descriptions of each place or person by lewis himself, taken from his letters and books. IT is the best gift a Lewis fan could receive, too, so look for a friend!

It is most unfortunate that this superb book has gone out of print. It is a pictorial tour of the places and people familiar to C.S. Lewis. Next to each picture or illustration is a caption explaining the relation to Lewis, with most of the country scenes having vivid, picturesque quotes from Lewis himself. This book can be read in one sitting or slowly digested over several days. If you ever find a copy, hang on to it. It's a lovely book.