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Schall on Chesterton: Timely Essays on Timeless Paradoxes
Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936) was one of the most original minds of the twentieth century. He was a gifted journalist, essayist, biographer, poet, novelist, playwright, philosopher, debater, and defender of common sense, of Christianity, and of the Catholic faith. He was truly an influential man of his time, writing thousands of essays and hundreds of books. Today he remains one of the best and most quoted writers of the English language.
In this book of essays, Father James V. Schall, a prolific author himself and a prominent Catholic writer, brings readers to Chesterton through a witty series of original reflections prompted by something Chesterton wrote―timely essays on timeless issues. Like Chesterton, Schall consciously leads the reader to the reality of what is, of what is true and what is at the heart of things. It is a handbook of how to take up almost any essay or chapter or paragraph of Chesterton's many works and, upon further reflection, come to realize that he was a profoundly wise man who still teaches vividly and accurately a century after he wrote. Schall easily captures Chesterton's fondness of life and laughter, and at the same time, makes readers aware of Chesterton's extreme insight and rigorous understanding of ideas and truth.
Included in this book is an introductory chapter on Chesterton as a "journalist," which is how he identified himself, and a concluding chapter that provides an extended reflection on Chesterton's world. Forty-one essays comprise the heart of the book. They range widely in subject matter, from the Catholic Church as the "natural home of the human spirit," through such topics as virtue and honor, horror and detective stories, toys and Christmas, right and wrong, to the shocking conclusion that indeed "dogmas are not dull."
James V. Schall, S.J., is author of more than twenty books, hundreds of articles, and monthly columns in Gilbert! and Crisis . He is professor in the Department of Government at Georgetown University. His book At the Limits of Political From "Brilliant Errors" to Things of Uncommon Importance was published by CUA Press in 1996.
PRAISE FOR THE
" Schall on Chesterton sends us rushing back to Chesterton's own writings with new insights and renewed enthusiasm. It is the guide to the twentieth century's wisest and most misunderstood prophet."―John Peterson, editor, Gilbert!
"One of the great themes in Father Schall's book derives from his insistance that good literature provide a moral illumination for ordinary life. Because of the vast number of books and articles which Chesterton wrote, few people can claim and exhaustive knowledge of his writings. Father Schall is one of that small company. He shares with his hero something that Chesterton attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas―an intense interest in the significance of everyday existence, a quality which Chesterton called "a fury for life.' "―Rev. Ian Boyd, C.S.B., editor, The Chesterton Review
"Who could be more appropriate to write about Chesterton than so subtle and prolific an essayist as Father James V. Schall? Like Chesterton, he is a skilled presenter of eternal truths."―Prof. John P. McCarthy, Fordham University
"Father James Schall excels as an essayist whose critical discriminations and insights are invaluable to readers in search of literary and political and religious understanding of the more vexing problems of the modern world."―Prof. George A. Panichas, editor, Modern Age
"This is a new book of essays about Chesterton, the master of the literary essay. And the author, James Schall, is himself a considerable essayist and author of several books. . . . L
In this book of essays, Father James V. Schall, a prolific author himself and a prominent Catholic writer, brings readers to Chesterton through a witty series of original reflections prompted by something Chesterton wrote―timely essays on timeless issues. Like Chesterton, Schall consciously leads the reader to the reality of what is, of what is true and what is at the heart of things. It is a handbook of how to take up almost any essay or chapter or paragraph of Chesterton's many works and, upon further reflection, come to realize that he was a profoundly wise man who still teaches vividly and accurately a century after he wrote. Schall easily captures Chesterton's fondness of life and laughter, and at the same time, makes readers aware of Chesterton's extreme insight and rigorous understanding of ideas and truth.
Included in this book is an introductory chapter on Chesterton as a "journalist," which is how he identified himself, and a concluding chapter that provides an extended reflection on Chesterton's world. Forty-one essays comprise the heart of the book. They range widely in subject matter, from the Catholic Church as the "natural home of the human spirit," through such topics as virtue and honor, horror and detective stories, toys and Christmas, right and wrong, to the shocking conclusion that indeed "dogmas are not dull."
James V. Schall, S.J., is author of more than twenty books, hundreds of articles, and monthly columns in Gilbert! and Crisis . He is professor in the Department of Government at Georgetown University. His book At the Limits of Political From "Brilliant Errors" to Things of Uncommon Importance was published by CUA Press in 1996.
PRAISE FOR THE
" Schall on Chesterton sends us rushing back to Chesterton's own writings with new insights and renewed enthusiasm. It is the guide to the twentieth century's wisest and most misunderstood prophet."―John Peterson, editor, Gilbert!
"One of the great themes in Father Schall's book derives from his insistance that good literature provide a moral illumination for ordinary life. Because of the vast number of books and articles which Chesterton wrote, few people can claim and exhaustive knowledge of his writings. Father Schall is one of that small company. He shares with his hero something that Chesterton attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas―an intense interest in the significance of everyday existence, a quality which Chesterton called "a fury for life.' "―Rev. Ian Boyd, C.S.B., editor, The Chesterton Review
"Who could be more appropriate to write about Chesterton than so subtle and prolific an essayist as Father James V. Schall? Like Chesterton, he is a skilled presenter of eternal truths."―Prof. John P. McCarthy, Fordham University
"Father James Schall excels as an essayist whose critical discriminations and insights are invaluable to readers in search of literary and political and religious understanding of the more vexing problems of the modern world."―Prof. George A. Panichas, editor, Modern Age
"This is a new book of essays about Chesterton, the master of the literary essay. And the author, James Schall, is himself a considerable essayist and author of several books. . . . L
- GenresPhilosophyEssaysReligion
296 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2000
2 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
James V. Schall
91 books86 followersFr. James V. Schall, SJ was Professor of Political Philosophy at Georgetown University.
He was born in Pocahontas, Iowa, January 20, 1928. Educated in public schools in Iowa, he graduated in 1945 from Knoxville, Iowa High, and then attended University of Santa Clara. He earned an MA in Philosophy from Gonzaga University in 1945.
After time in the U.S. Army (1946-47), he joined the Society of Jesus (California Province) in 1948. He received a PhD in Political Theory from Georgetown University in 1960, and an MST from University of Santa Clara four years later. Fr. Schall was a member of the Faculty of Institute of Social Sciences, Gregorian University, Rome, from 1964-77, and a member of the Government Department, University of San Francisco, from 1968-77. He has been a member of the Government Department at Georgetown University since 1977.
Fr. Schall has written hundreds of essays on political, theological, literary, and philosophical issues in such journals as The Review of Politics, Social Survey (Melbourne), Studies (Dublin), The Thomist, Divus Thomas (Piacenza), Divinitas (Rome), The Commonweal, Thought, Modern Age, Faith and Reason, The Way (London), The New Oxford Review, University Bookman, Worldview, and many others. He contributes regularly to Crisis and Homiletic & Pastoral Review.
He iss the author of numerous books on social issues, spirituality, culture, and literature.
He was born in Pocahontas, Iowa, January 20, 1928. Educated in public schools in Iowa, he graduated in 1945 from Knoxville, Iowa High, and then attended University of Santa Clara. He earned an MA in Philosophy from Gonzaga University in 1945.
After time in the U.S. Army (1946-47), he joined the Society of Jesus (California Province) in 1948. He received a PhD in Political Theory from Georgetown University in 1960, and an MST from University of Santa Clara four years later. Fr. Schall was a member of the Faculty of Institute of Social Sciences, Gregorian University, Rome, from 1964-77, and a member of the Government Department, University of San Francisco, from 1968-77. He has been a member of the Government Department at Georgetown University since 1977.
Fr. Schall has written hundreds of essays on political, theological, literary, and philosophical issues in such journals as The Review of Politics, Social Survey (Melbourne), Studies (Dublin), The Thomist, Divus Thomas (Piacenza), Divinitas (Rome), The Commonweal, Thought, Modern Age, Faith and Reason, The Way (London), The New Oxford Review, University Bookman, Worldview, and many others. He contributes regularly to Crisis and Homiletic & Pastoral Review.
He iss the author of numerous books on social issues, spirituality, culture, and literature.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 3, 2017
For the last 45 years or so, G. K. Chesterton has been one of my favorite writers. He is so deceptively simple that it is difficult to write about him without erecting a series of barriers to muddy what would otherwise be a limpid stream. (An exception: Garry Wills's Chesterton.)
Schall on Chesterton: Timely Essays on Timeless Paradoxes is an earnest attempt by a Jesuit author (James V. Schall, S.J.) who has read much of GKC's work -- but unfortunately through a Thomistic and Aristotelian scrim. There are a lot of abstract nouns like Virtue, Duty, Humanism, etc. Where Chesterton approaches his subjects with a light touch, Schall can at times read like drying glue.
Still, he does have some good points:
The person interested in Chesterton would probably do better to read GKC directly. Fortunately, there is far more of his work currently in print than when I started collecting his books in the 1970s.
Schall on Chesterton: Timely Essays on Timeless Paradoxes is an earnest attempt by a Jesuit author (James V. Schall, S.J.) who has read much of GKC's work -- but unfortunately through a Thomistic and Aristotelian scrim. There are a lot of abstract nouns like Virtue, Duty, Humanism, etc. Where Chesterton approaches his subjects with a light touch, Schall can at times read like drying glue.
Still, he does have some good points:
In a sense, what Chesterton has to teach us is precisely with those whose ideas or actions are wrong in some objective sense. We do not, if we think about it, want to end up by approving what is wrong or evil in errant actions. Neither do we want to deny wither the intrinsic dignity of the person in error or the fact that free people can do evil things that ought not to be done. It was characteristic of Chesterton, who loved controversy and debate, clearly to grasp the logic of ideas or passions that would, if uncorrected, lead a person or a society of persons into error or sin.That is certainly true, probably nowhere more so than in the Father Brown mystery stories, in which the detective/priest is probably more interested in setting things right than in seeing that the guilty party is apprehended.
The person interested in Chesterton would probably do better to read GKC directly. Fortunately, there is far more of his work currently in print than when I started collecting his books in the 1970s.
June 3, 2016
I discovered Father Schall's books about a decade ago. I have always been struck by how fresh and relevant they are -- books that talk about the unseriousness of human life, the importance of play, how to actually learn something despite having attended college or university, the perennial philosophy, the True, the Good, and the Beautiful. They never, to me, feel dated; they always feel vital, alive, and new, in a way. This collection of essays on G.K. Chesterton is no exception. Fans of GKC and the perennial philosophy will enjoy this anthology.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews