Broadcast Talks

by C.S. Lewis

"Broadcast Talks" by C. S. Lewis. Published by Good Press. Good Press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each Good Press edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction

62 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1942

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Clive Staples Lewis was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954. He was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.

Lewis was married to poet Joy Davidman.
W.H. Lewis was his elder brother]

Reviews

[Hamster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lewis famously gave several series of radio talks. These were first published as three separate books before being republished in one volume: Mere Christianity. Broadcast Talks was the original title of the first book, based on Lewis's first two shorter series of talks.

If you've read Mere Christianity itself, there isn't much point in reading this. But it's also like an early version of Miracles. Lewis uses many of the same arguments, but simpler and not as well fleshed out (and in some cases not as well-defended).

On the whole, this is solid theology, albeit a bit rushed and even a bit basic at times. It doesn't quite feel complete, but fortunately there is more in another volume.

[Jenny Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bit of a hiatus for me in reading this book thanks to medical stuff but so glad to have re-engaged with it. It left me wishing fervently that someone broadcast these talks again. Lewis has such a brick-on-brick logic in his explanations on meaning and faith. Perhaps coming to faith later in his life equipped him for this kind of writing conversation. If it were up to me, I'd make everyone read it.

Two distinct 'talks' each in five bite-sized sections – excellent for mulling over. The first entitled: Right and Wrong: A Clue to the Meaning of the Universe. The second: What Christians Believe, which includes the outstanding 'mad, bad or God' reasoning about Jesus which means no one can see Hi merely as a great moral teacher. 'That's the one thing we mustn't day. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said wouldn't be a great moral teacher, He'd either be a lunatic – on a level with someone who says he's a poached egg – or else he'd be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was ,and is, the Son of God:or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God.' (Part III)

[Jonny Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short, thought-provoking and illustration-rich text, provides an argued "clue" to the meaning of the universe in terms of Right and Wrong, as well as a starting point for the reasoning behind Christian faith.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone 'truly' investigating the purpose of life. It is compelling, honest and relatable.

My favourite extracts are:
"Not that men are unselfish, nor that they like being unselfish, but that they ought to be." (pp. 22)
"We must take it or leave it." (pp. 62)

[Luke Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always good to revisit some Lewis. The grounding of sound logic, with wit, wisdom, and uncompromising and uncomplicated truth has always been a solid foundation. This title, parts of which are often quoted everywhere, is best read in its fullness. The Christian faith clearly explained by someone who has thoroughly examined other options and chosen Jesus as his Lord. Beautifully written and coherently presented, my only wish was to have been among those who heard this broadcast for the first time.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another brilliant little book by Lewis. This book, along with a few others, is transcribed from a series of radio talks he delivered back in the 40's. Consequently it is far more accessible than most of his 'actual written books.' For instance there are no quotes from [take your pick] Latin, German, Italian, etc. which he sometimes uses to bring home a point. Rather, it is like sitting down in a small group setting where he speaks his mind. Great stuff.

[Lynda Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hardback copy recap of the broadcast talks that C.S. Lewis gave during WWII to the British population over BBC.
Right and wrong as a clue to the meaning of Universe
What Christians believe
Rare book only available in Kindle

[Ben Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

These talks are slightly dated by this point but still contain the charm and wisdom typical of C.S. Lewis’ writing.

An intriguing little time capsule.

[Naas Van Heerden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of the material in this book was included, in a slightly edited form in Mere Christianity.
But as with that one, this is an amazing little book.

[Berglind · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5*

[Ian Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

What it must have been like to hear these radio talks in 1942! War rages, and a decent man dares to tell the world about right and wrong, and what a Christian believes. This at a time when both sides can claim to call on God, and ruthlessly execute a vicious war with brutal violence.

Yet these broadcasts are timeless. With profound logic, simple simile and creative analogy, CS Lewis builds the case for faith. His voice speaks clearly on page, with calm persuasion and court room argument. Like a great song, this book needs to be heard not read. And heard not not once, but time and time again.

[David Haines · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short book, which includes a number of Lewis's radio talks. Most of the points given in this book have been reused in his other books such as Mere Christianity. However, some of the ways that he explains his points in this book are different, and are, therefore, worth reading. For example, he gives a resumé of his argument from reason (which is found in its most complete form in the book "Miracles").

[Cosima · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always with Lewis - impeccable reasoning, sound apologetics, witty and entertaining.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a reprint of the first part of Mere Christianity and the whole, I think, of The Case for Christianity. It was a good review.