The Quotable Lewis

This is the largest and most comprehensive collection of C. S. Lewis quotes. Period. As a Lewisophile, I keep kicking myself not getting it sooner. It is not a mere quote book, but more of an encyclopedia. It not only surpasses "A Mind Awake," which is the perfect introduction into Lewis's thought, but also "The Joyful Christian," and "The Visionary Christian," and even the daily devotional "The Business of Heaven." I appreciated when quotes from the pre-conversion Lewis were highlights as being "pre Christian." Conversion is such a radical change of mind that things Lewis said before and after this experience should be kept in context. Furthermore, the book has the quite cited with book title, chapter and paragraph, which makes allowances for the various editions and binding of books. This nice touch makes the Quote Book useful for whatever state and edition your Lewis Corpus. The only drawback is that this book is not a representation of what Lewis thought was important, but what Mssrs. Martindale and Root extract from the expansive Lewis corpus. For example, Lewis believed in a for of Theosis or Deification of mortals, as articulated by Athenasius in "On the Incarnation": God became man so that man might be god. However, the book has a section on "Human Destiny," but only one reference to this idea. The other quote is in "Glory." This is odd, because the whole doctrine of the Trinity, as Lewis explains in "Mere Christianity," is for men to be come sin some sense gods. As they present Human Destiny, Mssrs. Martindale and Root have quotes that reflect a more traditional view of heaven that is more palatable to Protestantism. This "fudges" some of Lewis's thought. Maybe the compilers disagreed, or did not understand what Lewis was saying on this matter, but it does raise a caution. Overall, this book is useful for understand every facet of Lewis: Scholar, Convert, Philosopher, Soldier, Brother Husband, Literary Critic, Science Fiction and Fantasy writer, and Human Being.

THE QUOTABLE LEWIS provides a concise, well-ordered collection of quotes by C. S. Lewis. The mistake that most will make is to assume that this is a book that would be interesting or useful to students of religion only. Lewis' thoughts and writings, while predominantly centered in the world of religion, include a diversity of personal musings ranging from English literature to being well-read to world politics. The book also provides an excellent reference to the numerous works of C. S. Lewis should you be interested in further study and reading.Don't be tempted to sell this on short on the basis that Lewis had nothing to say to you. Take a look. I am sure that you will find something that fits.

Not only is this book an excellent resource for Christian speakers/preachers/etc., but it can also be of usefulness an individual's personal life by offering words on joy, peace, death, etc. The quotes are topically organized, and the references back to the original works are very helpful when you can't quite remember exactly which book contains that C.S. Lewis quote that has been running through your mind lately. This book is also helpful if you engage in theological conversations and/or debates. The quotes included in the book are good encapsulations of the gyst of many of Lewis' insights into human nature, Divine nature, and Divine human nature. Some sections that I have found especially helpful in informal philosophical debates are "Free Will", "Sin", "Human Nature", and "Love." Any diehard Lewis fan (without a photographic memory), who loves being able to quote him in sermons, academic papers or in conversation, could greatly benefit from having this book.

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading the Quotable Lewis and continue to use it often in my study of the Gospel. C.S. Lewis is the greatest Christian Scholar of our time and in reading passages from his works in the Quotable Lewis I've gained greater insite into what being a Christian is all about.