Carol Zaleski Libri

Best Book of June 2015 (The Christian Science Monitor) and Book of the Year by the Conference on Christianity and Literature, this work explores the Inklings, a literary club formed by C. S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and their associates in Oxford. For three decades, they met weekly to discuss literature, religion, and ideas, sharing works in progress and engaging in philosophical discussions. The Zaleskis provide a comprehensive account of the Inklings' lives and contributions, revealing the motivations behind their significant works. C. S. Lewis experiences a profound spiritual awakening while riding on a motorcycle, becomes a renowned evangelist, and innovates religious fiction amidst personal struggles. J.R.R. Tolkien crafts an intricate mythology in The Lord of the Rings while also advancing Old English scholarship and sharing Catholic teachings with those close to him. Owen Barfield, a philosopher focused on language, becomes a key intellectual partner for Lewis, while Charles Williams, a poet and author of supernatural tales, infuses his life with mysticism. Together, these romantics and fantasists sought to rejuvenate literature and faith during the tumultuous years of the twentieth century, achieving remarkable success in their endeavors.

Looks at the evidence surrounding near-death experiences, with researchers' findings, first-person accounts of survivors, and possible medical or psychological explanations placing this material in historical perspective.

Paying homage to prayer traditions from around the world and throughout history, this celebration of prayer covers everything from Pentacostalist revivals to the sacred pipe to the Catholic rosary