G. K. Chesterton: Radical Populist

He was a "populist intellectual, although of a thoroughly antiintellectualist kind." (p. 8) I do not know that anyone called him a "Big fat idiot". Of course Rush is more political and Chesterton more Christian. "Beer and Liberty versus Soap and Socialism" is the title of chapter 3. I think this book makes a good case for the comparison! There is kind of an odd Epilogue that makes more use of Peter Berger (one of my favorites!) to point out the value of a populist. On the whole, this is a good book for those who like reading Chesterton and want to know more about him.

The author does a fine job here of critiquing Gilbert Keith Chesterton and his political and social views. She glances briefly at his fiction novels and shows how they help illuminate his populism and then proceeds to study Chesterton's own political writings. She does a fine job of explaining his thoughts and arguments and his populism, unusual in England at that time. The Chesterton wit is as evident as always in this study, with numerous fine and intelligent quotes. The author studies how Chesterton's religious views did or did not impact upon his political ones, and also studies Chesterton's take on numerous issues. Concise, well-written and recommended for any fan of politics or of good writers.