Alister McGrath - C. S. Lewis - A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet

Alister McGrath sheds new light on the life of the incomparable C. S. Lewis. This is an important book.

ERIC METAXAS

New York Times bestselling author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

Alister McGraths new biography of C. S. Lewis is excellent. Its filled with information based on extensive scholarship but is nonetheless extremely readable. It not only devotes great attention to the formation and character of Lewis the man, it offers incisive and balanced analyses of all his main literary works. I was one of those newly converted American evangelicals who hungrily devoured Lewiss works in the late 1960s and early 70s. His impact on me was profound and lasting, and Dr. McGrath clearly explains why so many believers and Christian leaders today can say the same thing.

TIMOTHY KELLER

Bestselling author of The Reason for God and senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church

Many of us thought we knew most of what there was to know about C. S. Lewis. Alister McGraths new biography makes use of archives and other material that clarify, deepen, and further explain the many sides of one of Christianitys most remarkable apologists. This is a penetrating and illuminating study.

N. T. WRIGHT

Bestselling author of Simply Christian

Alister McGrath has written a meticulously researched, insightful, fair-minded, and honest account of a fascinating mans life. His book is especially distinctive in its placing of Lewis in his vocational and social contexts, but it also provides a compelling account of the development of Lewiss Christian mind. This will be an indispensable resource for fans and scholars of Lewis.

ALAN JACOBS

Bestselling author of The Narnian

For people who might wonder if we need another biography of C. S. Lewis, McGraths crisp, insightful, and at times quite original portrait of the celebrated Oxford Christian will change their minds.

LYLE W. DORSETT

Editor of The Essential C. S. Lewis

A welcome addition to the biographical literature on C. S. Lewis, which includes several valuable new perspectives. McGraths book will gain a permanent position in Lewis scholarship for his brilliant and, to my mind, undeniable re-dating of Lewiss conversion to Theism. How we all missed this for so long is astonishing!

MICHAEL WARD

Author of Planet Narnia

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TYNDALE and Tyndales quill logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

The Hobbit is a trademark of the Saul Zaentz Company dba Tolkien Enterprises.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a trademark of C. S. Lewis (Pte) Ltd.

The Lord of the Rings is a trademark of the Saul Zaentz Company dba Tolkien Enterprises.

Narnia is a trademark of C. S. Lewis (Pte) Ltd.

C. S. LewisA Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet

Copyright 2013 by Alister McGrath. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph copyright Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images. All rights reserved.

Photograph of Lewis grave marker courtesy of Holy Trinity Church, Headington Quarry, Oxford. Used with permission.

Designed by Erik M. Peterson

Edited by Mark Norton and Jonathan Schindler

Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc., 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920, www.alivecommunications.com.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version.

ISBN 978-1-4143-8251-7 (Apple); ISBN 978-1-4143-8252-4 (ePub); ISBN 978-1-4143-8253-1 (Kindle)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

McGrath, Alister, date.

C. S. Lewisa life : eccentric genius, reluctant prophet / Alister McGrath.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-4143-3935-1 (hc)

1. Lewis, C. S. (Clive Staples), 1898-1963. 2. Authors, English20th centuryBiography. I. Title.

PR6023.E926Z7946 2013

823'.912dc23

[B] 2012033140

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