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Rating:  - The finest introduction to one of the finest thinkers...
"This is not a book about Chesterton," Ahlquist writes. "It is a book about everything else from a Chestertonian perspective. It is an attempt to get inside of him and inhabit him like a large house so that we can see the world through the windows he provides. . . Chesterton wrote about everything. An ocean of words poured out of his pen. . . It is deep, it is dangerous, it is delightful, it is refreshing, it is full of suprises, it is full of life" (9-10).
Dangerous and delightful indeed. In this unusually written but suprisingly well executed book, we see the genius of Chesterton at work on nearly every level. From poetry to capitalism to catholicism Alhquist extracts and applies the Chestertonian "essence" almost as if he were the man himself. He does this through substantial (but not overbearing) excerpts from Chesterton's volumous writing and careful commentary.
Alhquist seemingly pulls off the impossible: He offers a comprehensive introduction to Chesterton, includes enough direct excerpts from Chesterton's writing to effectively convey his wit and stytle, manages to apply his thinking to the present era, and does it all in under 300 pages. A remarkable feat.
Whether you come to Chesterton from his Father Brown fiction or from 'Orthodoxy' there is something for everyone here. I was repeatedly suprised by his timeless wisdom and grace. Of the half-dozen books I've read about Chesterton, Ahlquist's is the most well-rounded and interesting.
Highly recommended.
Rating: - Obscure gem
This book should be required reading for all people who wish to understand more fully the true nature of the human experience. Ahlquist, the head of the American Chesterton Society and publisher of Gilbert Magazine, does a lovely job of presenting Chesterton to the 21st century reader. Although Chesterton died in 1936, his words are as compelling now as they were then. An excellent primer on Chestertonian wisdom and a refreshing affirmation of the Roman Catholic Church. A splendid read.
Rating: - A Good Book with a Bad Title
I anxiously awaited the opportunity to read Common Sense 101 because it was about Chesterton, and by Dale Ahlquist. It is a good book and a good read, but if you're familiar with G.K. you've probably read it before. More importantly, it's not really about Chesterton at all. It's a modern-day analysis of the world by the author with quotes by Chesterton interspersed throughout. I wasn't too terribly concerned as I like the idea of bringing Chesterton up to date by showing his prophetic analysis and insight. I just found the title misleading. Chesterton 101 implies an Introduction to Chesterton, putting him in his time and place. I can think of more suitable titles. It will probably serve as a good first read.
Rating: - A great introduction to Chesterton
Only downside to this book is you'll fill it up with slips of paper to mark pages you want to show others. This was so good, I'm buying Ahlquist's "G. K. Chesterton: The Apostle of Common Sense" next.
Update: This book has become my standard gift. Bought four copies so far and the feedback has been terrific. Somewhat suprised that all Catholics have not been exposed to Chesterton. This week a friend of my parents ,a devout (attends Mass weekly at least) southern Italian Catholic who was in the hospital, said of the gift "You've opened a whole new door for me."
What she liked about Chesterton, she said, is he told her what she already knew, but in a clear, inspirational way.
Do believe if I gave Orthodoxy as a gift, it might be put on the shelf. Common Sense 101 is deep but a light. flowing read. I know those who read 101 will get Orthodoxy on their own. One lady, after finishing 101, subscribed to GK.
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