The Life and Writings of C. S. Lewis

By: Louis Markos, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Louis Markos

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

What can we still learn from C.S. Lewis? Find out in these 12 insightful lectures that cover the author's spiritual autobiography, novels, and his scholarly writings that reflect on pain and grief, love and friendship, prophecy and miracles, and education and mythology.

This is your chance to explore a canon of literary work that speaks volumes about the imaginative, emotional, and spiritual power of literature. As you delve into the depths of enduring works such as the Chronicles of Narnia, The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity, and Till We Have Faces, you'll consider a range of questions central to truly understanding why C.S. Lewis has had such a profound impact on 20th-century readers.

From the magisterial Oxford History of English Literature to children's fantasy series, how did Lewis write with such brilliance and coherence in so many distinct fields? What were the people, events, and influences that shaped his thought, his character, and the spiritual drama at his life's core? What do Lewis's fictional and factual autobiographies reveal about his conversion and his efforts to explain and defend Christianity? How do his writings help readers come to grips with perennial spiritual questions involving miracles, suffering, sin, and salvation?

Join Professor Markos for an eye-opening examination of why Lewis - the Oxbridge don and self-described, "very ordinary layman of the Church of England," touches millions of readers so deeply and is considered the most widely read Christian spokesman of our time.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2000 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2000 The Great Courses

loved it

I absolutely loved these lectures. They gave great insight to Mr. Lewis. Though I've always enjoyed Lewis's works, I want to hear or read them all

Accurate

Describes Lewis well, I think. Somewhat intellectually poor, to the extent that Lewis himself is. The lecturer is clearly a fan of Lewis and never criticizes him, though he mentions criticisms of him from time to time.

Clarity brought to CSL & his writings

The lectures are fast paced and in depth. Markos is a CSL enthusiast who knows the aims of CSL books and essays. Fans of CSL will enjoy and learn from these lectures.

My favorite new great course!

I have never finished a great course so quickly! Took me just under a week to finish all twelve lectures. The professor was engaging, funny, personal, and absolutely knew and understood C.S. Lewis. I will be going back to listen all over again and hope to be able to hear more from this professor as well since he is easily one of the best I've listened to on the Great courses. Fantastic depth in each lecture as well as practical on explaining why and how they form a whole in Lewis' literature and theology. I totally did not cry on the last lecture...

so so good,

great job Louis Markos!

thank you.

Outstanding!

Outstanding in every way. Markos was both knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I enjoyed this course so much that I was sad when it ended. I highly recommend it!

An illuminating course

I have enjoyed this course very much--I am planning to listen to it again in the near future. I love The Chronicles of Narnia and I was very happy to see them in the larger context of C. S. Lewis's work. Absolutely illuminating!

Good overview

This course is a good overview of CS Lewis and his more important works that cast light upon his thinking

Enlightening work, passionate presentation

Professor Markos covers Lewis's work and life in a thorough, thought-provoking and well organized presentation. The combination of summarizing C.S. Lewis's works with the Professor's analysis (including how Lewis's life experiences and literary influences are reflected in his writings) kept my full attention throughout the course. I found myself stopping at several points to re-listen and reflect on the material. The lectures are highly energetic, reflecting the Professor's passion for the topics.

Helpful to any Lewis/Tolkein students.

What made the experience of listening to The Life and Writings of C. S. Lewis the most enjoyable?

Good back story and timeline added to CSLs experience. Lectures interesting and easy to follow. Adds well to context for the writings, author and his time.

What other book might you compare The Life and Writings of C. S. Lewis to and why?

Lecture connects his works and contributes to the arch of his life

Have you listened to any of Professor Louis Markos’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No but would give it a go

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Pulled pieces of stories and parts together from previous experience. Very helpful to see the larger body of works in context.

Great but short

It felt rushed? No real depth on abolition of man or his literature (non fiction/non apologetical works) but good macro level treatment.