C.S Lewis: The Story Teller

Trailblazers

by Derick Bingham

Adventures into another world, stories of mystery and wonder, these are what fascinated and excited Clive. He was just a boy but would sit for hours writing stories where animals came to life and lived and spoke just like human beings. This little boy grew up to become the world famous writer C. S. Lewis. However throughout his life he preferred to be called Jack. The reasons for this peculiar change of name and other interesting facts and stories about C. S. Lewis are retold in this book. It was written in the centenary year of his birth - this is a reprint. This book takes you into the life of C. S. Lewis, the child, the scholar, the husband, the writer and the believer in God. Derick Bingham has researched this book thoroughly and has lovingly retold the story of this great storyteller.‘I was challenged to write this book by my friend the distinguished sculptor Ross Wilson. At that time he was preparing his CS Lewis Centenary Sculpture to be erected in the great man's native city, Belfast in Northern Ireland. As I live in Belfast it was a privilege to be writing about our city's most famous writer, his upbringing, his adventures and how he came to know the Lord Jesus. As I researched his life I was amazed to discover how much sorrow CS Lewis experienced and I was deeply inspired by how he overcame his difficulties. My greatest joy following the writing of this book has been to see it published in Chinese.'Derick Bingham ~ Was the teaching pastor at Christchurch, BelfastIf you like this, you'll love Ten boys who used their talents by Irene Howat. This title includes a chapter on C. S. Lewis. Also why not look at the Talking about Dragons by William Chad Newsom. This is a review of the work of Tolkien and Lewis and how to use these to develop and encourage family devotional times.Catherine MacKenzie ~ Author and CF4K Editor

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Christian

140 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 4, 1999

About the author

Derick Bingham is a teaching pastor with Christ Church in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He has written over twenty books and broadcasts weekly for TransWorld Radio into Europe and the Middle East. He is a director on the board of the New Irish Choir and Orchestra and travels internationally teaching and preaching the Scriptures. He lives in Belfast with his wife Margaret.

Reviews

[Ammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy these short biographies. I teared up half a dozen times throughout this one. I fall more in love with the Lord, and the Inklings the more I see their lives reflected in their stories. God is the ultimate Author and Storyteller and I love how it is illuminated through Lewis and Tolkien's lives.

[Beth Troon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really good to find out about this great aurther

[Myra Benedict · Rating 5 out of 5]

C.S Lewis one of the most loved authors,C.S Lewis had a good and happy life, C.s Lewis family and friends called him jack .Jack had a problem he had a joint missing in his thumb ,Because of that he couldn’t do many things like making paper models or do crafts but one thing he could was write.Jack was a happy child but when his Mom died his life changed. at the age of thirteen he started smoking.He was filled with hatred and did not believe that God existed.but this he never knew he one day he will be one of the greatest storyteller.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good account of the life of C.S. Lewis, written by his step-son. It has made me want to read his (C.S. Lewis') own books now - many of which I've listed as wanting to read. Time to get started!!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

C.S Lewis is most loved author round the world. He wrote many different books! His family and friend called him jack. His life is very interesting. In young age his mother died and his life changed forever.
Very inspiring story !!

[Carolyn Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a concise and chronological account of the life of C.S. Lewis. There is a lot of information to absorb with place names and people, and the like, who may only appear for a page or two - then you're on to the next set. Add to that the random characters who arrive for one random sentence and you have yourself a challenging read, at times.

If you can put all that to one side and focus only on CSL (or Jack, as he preferred to be called) you will find an emotional rollercoaster of a story. Jack was an exceptional man, in more ways than one, and his life story is certainly worth reading about.

[David Petersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It is a brief biography of C.S. Lewis's life with an emphasis on his conversion from atheist to Christian. I thought the book well written and very informative. I was fascinated to learn about CS relationship to his father, brother and others around him. Cancer played such a influential part in his life as well. Well worth the read

[Thomas Mackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short audio book version. Not the best Lewis biography, as the author constantly goes off on tangents to evangelize the readers with Lewis's movement toward orthodox Christianity. A historical error about the assassination leading to WWI was not a major gaffe, but as it was so commonly known, I fear other items were in error due to poor research.

[Marli · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Olatomi Afilaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This shows the story of a man on fire for God despite all the hurdles that life threw at him.

[Charlotte Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I learned some new things about C. S. Lewis and I encourage anyone who wants to learn more about this incredible person to read this book!

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read it. I loved every moment.

[Debbie Bowes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very slow start but what kept me remaining is determined to read on his life. The write certainly had humour added in his writing but all in all, I’m glad I read and finished it finally.

[Natalie Grubb cheek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tears of gratefulness at the end of this book. Highly recommend this simple yet impactful book.

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to this on Audible. I love C.S. Lewis and have read most of his books. Unfortunately, this biography is the most boring thing I have ever read.

[Jean Donze · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short audio to listen to while I worked outside. Although I’ve read quite a bit of Lewis’ life, this was enjoyable and impactful.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun to learn more about the man who has created so many of our favorite books! My boys didn’t know much about him and they kept having lightbulb moments of connection.

[J. Alfred · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose this might be an okay thing to let your kids read, but I strongly suggest that any right minded kid cares more about the books than the author. For yourself, there's nothing in here that Lewis's own Surprised By Joy or a good adult biography won't give you with much less smarminess and simplistic Christian-ese. I suggest that Lewis himself would not much enjoy this representation of his life.
Also, the whole thing is rife with textual errors, including a wholehearted refusal to allow noun/pronoun agreement to dictate terms. Unpleasant.

[Jean Bonilla · Rating 1 out of 5]

A helpful summary of Lewis’s life, but written for children and not written awfully well. I give it a star mostly because I’m glad to have found it and read it for the sake of context.

[Gloria Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this biography of Lewis. It is an overtly Christian book.

I like that the tone was gentle and meant for children.

[RAW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on Hoopla. Good over view of life and legacy from a Christian worldview for kids.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story of his life.