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The Everlasting Man: A Guide to G.K. Chesterton's Masterpiece
Among the many masterpieces of G.K. Chesterton, The Everlasting Man is his crowning achievement. It was the book that set a young atheist named C.S. Lewis on the path toward Christianity. Evelyn Waugh called it “a permanent monument” that “needs no elucidation.” And its lively prose and compelling defense of Christianity have dazzled readers ever since.
But a little elucidation, it turns out, is needed. Chesterton’s presentation of the story of humanity and religion is filled with obscure literary, historical, mythological, philosophical, and theological references—most of which are largely lost on today’s readers. And Chesterton’s paradoxical and apparently wandering style proves, at times, disorienting to newcomers.
In this groundbreaking guide—the first of its kind—one of the world’s leading authorities on Chesterton walks readers through the entirety of this great apologist’s text. Complete with an introduction, footnotes, and running commentary, Dale Ahlquist’s tour through Chesterton’s classic will draw new readers into his literary world—and old readers even deeper into his literary genius.
But a little elucidation, it turns out, is needed. Chesterton’s presentation of the story of humanity and religion is filled with obscure literary, historical, mythological, philosophical, and theological references—most of which are largely lost on today’s readers. And Chesterton’s paradoxical and apparently wandering style proves, at times, disorienting to newcomers.
In this groundbreaking guide—the first of its kind—one of the world’s leading authorities on Chesterton walks readers through the entirety of this great apologist’s text. Complete with an introduction, footnotes, and running commentary, Dale Ahlquist’s tour through Chesterton’s classic will draw new readers into his literary world—and old readers even deeper into his literary genius.
- GenresHistory
468 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2024
86 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
G.K. Chesterton
4,658 books5,763 followersGilbert Keith Chesterton was an English writer, philosopher, lay theologian, and literary and art critic.
He was educated at St. Paul’s, and went to art school at University College London. In 1900, he was asked to contribute a few magazine articles on art criticism, and went on to become one of the most prolific writers of all time. He wrote a hundred books, contributions to 200 more, hundreds of poems, including the epic Ballad of the White Horse, five plays, five novels, and some two hundred short stories, including a popular series featuring the priest-detective, Father Brown. In spite of his literary accomplishments, he considered himself primarily a journalist. He wrote over 4000 newspaper essays, including 30 years worth of weekly columns for the Illustrated London News, and 13 years of weekly columns for the Daily News. He also edited his own newspaper, G.K.’s Weekly.
Chesterton was equally at ease with literary and social criticism, history, politics, economics, philosophy, and theology.
He was educated at St. Paul’s, and went to art school at University College London. In 1900, he was asked to contribute a few magazine articles on art criticism, and went on to become one of the most prolific writers of all time. He wrote a hundred books, contributions to 200 more, hundreds of poems, including the epic Ballad of the White Horse, five plays, five novels, and some two hundred short stories, including a popular series featuring the priest-detective, Father Brown. In spite of his literary accomplishments, he considered himself primarily a journalist. He wrote over 4000 newspaper essays, including 30 years worth of weekly columns for the Illustrated London News, and 13 years of weekly columns for the Daily News. He also edited his own newspaper, G.K.’s Weekly.
Chesterton was equally at ease with literary and social criticism, history, politics, economics, philosophy, and theology.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 3, 2024
If you love C.S. Lewis, Lewis loved this work from Chesterton. Therefore you’ll love Chesterton. The way he articulates the logic behind the various theories of history, culture, and religion is mind blowing. He picks apart the assumptions that scientists, atheist historians, have made but not proven, even today. He also will make you laugh, and think in ways you have never thought before!
February 21, 2025
I first read this book while in bed with a fever. I recall enjoying being stuck there for days because the book was so mesmerizing. (I wish I could find my notes from that reading.) I have always wanted to reread it. This time, the overall themes formulated in my brain.
GKC beautifully describes the incredible uniqueness of humans, even though we may be animals. He starts at the beginning, pointing out some of the unsupported and sometimes preposterous conclusions materialists have drawn from scanty evidence of cavemen and instead pointing out the incredible nature of the findings, like cave paintings. It surprises no one that brutish cavemen painted apes, but it would shock everyone if the most intelligent ape painted a man. He next introduces the concept of family: Once there was man, there was decency, liberty, private property, and honor, born within families unlike anything found in the animal world.
In the chapter on civilizations, he wipes away the still prevalent conception of progressive history. He points out how clear it is not the case that brutish villages became lawless cities became totalitarian empires became democratic nations. The original family and small village were certainly more democratic than all of today’s nations.
The rest of part one walks through history, criticizing the study of comparative religion. He points out how most subjects in comparative religion, especially the Eastern “religions,” are not religions. He instead breaks them into God, gods, demons, and philosophers. First men made stories to describe their world, interior and exterior. Some collectively enforced these stories with rituals, creating gods, while others thought on these ideas, becoming philosophers. Mythology and philosophy developed in parallel until they were united in Christianity, under the one God, the unity of faith and reason. He also touches on the question of evil. Once civilized, many chose evil seeking power, giving rise to demons.
This part of the book ends in the story of Rome and Carthage. Chesterton starts by saying how without seeing the spiritual world, without knowing what men live for and what they are willing to worship to get it, economics and history fail to explain anything. Using the example of Rome facing destruction at the hands of Hannibal (the “Grace of Baal”), he shows the real reason why Rome prevailed and razed Carthage: the gods must destroy the demons. They were fighting not just for their state but for their household gods, their homes, and their families.
So, Carthage was destroyed by the best of paganism, but then paganism began to decay. It had accomplished all it could and could go no further. At first, Rome had a similar though not as strong dislike for the Greeks. GKC imagines they must have been sickened by the homosexuality, especially the pedophilia, that pervaded Greek culture. Rome stood for normal virtue. But there comes a time when mythology falls short because mythology is not true religion; it is simply not true. It was a mood, not a thought. Perversions creep in that even Rome adopted, discarding their old gods.
The second half of the book is an argument for the eminent sense of belief in Christ. So many arguments have been made against him that make no sense or are in exact contradiction to other arguments made against him. While a strange story, salvation history reads like mythology except that it feels right, it is true. The world escaped the death of paganism when it adopted Christianity (God); we should not slip back into it (gods), turn to the devil (demons), or think we can reason it all out ourselves (philosophers).
GKC beautifully describes the incredible uniqueness of humans, even though we may be animals. He starts at the beginning, pointing out some of the unsupported and sometimes preposterous conclusions materialists have drawn from scanty evidence of cavemen and instead pointing out the incredible nature of the findings, like cave paintings. It surprises no one that brutish cavemen painted apes, but it would shock everyone if the most intelligent ape painted a man. He next introduces the concept of family: Once there was man, there was decency, liberty, private property, and honor, born within families unlike anything found in the animal world.
In the chapter on civilizations, he wipes away the still prevalent conception of progressive history. He points out how clear it is not the case that brutish villages became lawless cities became totalitarian empires became democratic nations. The original family and small village were certainly more democratic than all of today’s nations.
The rest of part one walks through history, criticizing the study of comparative religion. He points out how most subjects in comparative religion, especially the Eastern “religions,” are not religions. He instead breaks them into God, gods, demons, and philosophers. First men made stories to describe their world, interior and exterior. Some collectively enforced these stories with rituals, creating gods, while others thought on these ideas, becoming philosophers. Mythology and philosophy developed in parallel until they were united in Christianity, under the one God, the unity of faith and reason. He also touches on the question of evil. Once civilized, many chose evil seeking power, giving rise to demons.
This part of the book ends in the story of Rome and Carthage. Chesterton starts by saying how without seeing the spiritual world, without knowing what men live for and what they are willing to worship to get it, economics and history fail to explain anything. Using the example of Rome facing destruction at the hands of Hannibal (the “Grace of Baal”), he shows the real reason why Rome prevailed and razed Carthage: the gods must destroy the demons. They were fighting not just for their state but for their household gods, their homes, and their families.
So, Carthage was destroyed by the best of paganism, but then paganism began to decay. It had accomplished all it could and could go no further. At first, Rome had a similar though not as strong dislike for the Greeks. GKC imagines they must have been sickened by the homosexuality, especially the pedophilia, that pervaded Greek culture. Rome stood for normal virtue. But there comes a time when mythology falls short because mythology is not true religion; it is simply not true. It was a mood, not a thought. Perversions creep in that even Rome adopted, discarding their old gods.
The second half of the book is an argument for the eminent sense of belief in Christ. So many arguments have been made against him that make no sense or are in exact contradiction to other arguments made against him. While a strange story, salvation history reads like mythology except that it feels right, it is true. The world escaped the death of paganism when it adopted Christianity (God); we should not slip back into it (gods), turn to the devil (demons), or think we can reason it all out ourselves (philosophers).
December 6, 2024
I tried reading the Everlasting Man 10 years ago, and I remember being frustrated at how GK Chesterton assumed some working knowledge of the classics. I specifically remember telling friends who loved Chesterton that I wished there was an annotated version.
Well, as of 2024 now there is. Ironically enough though, I need it a bit less. I've read the Iliad and Odyssey and parts of Herodotus and Plutarch, so even if I don't get every reference, the whole argument of the first part of the book is much easier to follow. The annotations that point out references to a popular song in the 1900s that GK Chesterton makes a pun about are much appreciated though.
It's also funny to read it in 2024, because his anthropological arguments are now much more commonly accepted even by atheists. There are not a lot of defenders of the monotonic arc of history these days. The main difference now is whether you cite Spengler, Toynbee, or Turchin when you talk about the rise and fall of civilizations. Still, I think the idea of most pagan gods being monotheistic all-powerful gods at first, before being crammed into a pantheon by empires is a lovely one (in a Sebastian Flyte sense). It's a creative way to undermine "diversity is strength."
Now it's the second part of the book that alternately troubles me and gives me hope. As someone who is very frustrated these days with church politics, I love the Church that Chesterton portrays: one that boldly tells the one truth, despite the whims of the culture around it. I also draw comfort from his assertion that the Church has also risen from the dead many times throughout history, but now I wish I knew more about Church history to know these tales. The annotations in this edition explain names and places but not these historical arcs. Guess I'll need to read it again in another 10 years.
One last small complaint. Whenever Chesterton uses a culturally insensitive word, this edition either censors it and/or has long apologetic notes about how Chesterton isn't racist, that's just how people wrote back then. And Chesterton isn't racist! But this kind of extensive handwringing, I hope, goes out of fashion soon.
Well, as of 2024 now there is. Ironically enough though, I need it a bit less. I've read the Iliad and Odyssey and parts of Herodotus and Plutarch, so even if I don't get every reference, the whole argument of the first part of the book is much easier to follow. The annotations that point out references to a popular song in the 1900s that GK Chesterton makes a pun about are much appreciated though.
It's also funny to read it in 2024, because his anthropological arguments are now much more commonly accepted even by atheists. There are not a lot of defenders of the monotonic arc of history these days. The main difference now is whether you cite Spengler, Toynbee, or Turchin when you talk about the rise and fall of civilizations. Still, I think the idea of most pagan gods being monotheistic all-powerful gods at first, before being crammed into a pantheon by empires is a lovely one (in a Sebastian Flyte sense). It's a creative way to undermine "diversity is strength."
Now it's the second part of the book that alternately troubles me and gives me hope. As someone who is very frustrated these days with church politics, I love the Church that Chesterton portrays: one that boldly tells the one truth, despite the whims of the culture around it. I also draw comfort from his assertion that the Church has also risen from the dead many times throughout history, but now I wish I knew more about Church history to know these tales. The annotations in this edition explain names and places but not these historical arcs. Guess I'll need to read it again in another 10 years.
One last small complaint. Whenever Chesterton uses a culturally insensitive word, this edition either censors it and/or has long apologetic notes about how Chesterton isn't racist, that's just how people wrote back then. And Chesterton isn't racist! But this kind of extensive handwringing, I hope, goes out of fashion soon.
August 31, 2024
My debut into the ingenious mind of Gilbert Keith Chesterton was destined to be what many consider to be his remarkable masterpiece: The Everlasting Man. This incredible philosopher, apologist and prolific writer published this remarkable work nearly a century ago. He wrote it in opposition to all the agnostic scientific expressions of objectivism, subjectivism, relativism and nihilism popular in his day.
In this remarkable text, Chesterton ambitiously lays out the history of the world as many of his atheist contemporaries had done, most notably, H.G. Wells. G.K. however, takes into account the most incredible and inexplicable event in all of human history, the birth, ministry, passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God and man, come down to earth to stand side by side with us in our brokenness. The state of humanity and universal significance of this everlasting man and his founding of the Holy Catholic Church on the world stage both before and after his appearance on earth is profound in contrast. This books is an ingenious accounting of what Christ's presents means for all of us...a presence that all of Chesterton's secular peers would either neglect or purposefully ignore in their story of antiquity and more recent centuries.
Highly recommended reading for all those of faith who crave reaffirmation and relief in knowing the solidity of their faith. Also nonbelievers should proceed with caution. This was the book that converted the great apologist and author C.S. Lewis from atheism to theism before his embracing of Christianity. As Lewis ironically states about this remarkable work: "no young atheist can be too careful about his reading".
In this remarkable text, Chesterton ambitiously lays out the history of the world as many of his atheist contemporaries had done, most notably, H.G. Wells. G.K. however, takes into account the most incredible and inexplicable event in all of human history, the birth, ministry, passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God and man, come down to earth to stand side by side with us in our brokenness. The state of humanity and universal significance of this everlasting man and his founding of the Holy Catholic Church on the world stage both before and after his appearance on earth is profound in contrast. This books is an ingenious accounting of what Christ's presents means for all of us...a presence that all of Chesterton's secular peers would either neglect or purposefully ignore in their story of antiquity and more recent centuries.
Highly recommended reading for all those of faith who crave reaffirmation and relief in knowing the solidity of their faith. Also nonbelievers should proceed with caution. This was the book that converted the great apologist and author C.S. Lewis from atheism to theism before his embracing of Christianity. As Lewis ironically states about this remarkable work: "no young atheist can be too careful about his reading".
October 2, 2024
What a fascinating way to look at history! Chesterton asks the reader to step out of his familiar ideas of the history of humanity and look at the world as if for the first time. He has you perceiving things in a completely new way, and you soon realize what a unique creation a human being is.
Having written this a hundred years ago, his prose references many individuals who were probably well known in 1920 but who are rather obscure today; therefore I recommend this annotated edition with commentary by Dale Alquist.
Having written this a hundred years ago, his prose references many individuals who were probably well known in 1920 but who are rather obscure today; therefore I recommend this annotated edition with commentary by Dale Alquist.
November 24, 2025
Loved it. Like most Chesterton, had to re-read passages a couple times, annotations definitely helped. The conclusion chapter really wraps everything up into the best 6-7 pages on the faith I’ve read in a long time, potent stuff.
Want to read
July 19, 2024Deeply influenced CS Lewis
January 19, 2025
Have read this a few times before and loved it - part of my “permanent library”. The notes and summaries in this new edition provide excellent help with comprehension. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews