Monday, May 16, 2011

Book Review of Defiant Joy by Kevin Belmonte


DEFIANT JOY
By Kevin Belmonte
ISBN 978-1-59555-201-3
Reviewed by Clint Walker

With Defiant Joy, Kevin Belmonte has written an intriguing biography of G.K. Chesterton. On one hand, the book is written in an easily accessible manner. On the other hand, the book is heavily footnoted, with about 30 pages of references in the back of the book, along with a couple of other appendices. The result is an excellent primer in the life and study of G.K. Chesterton that is both an intriguing, easy-to-read biography, and a springboard for further study about Chesterton’s life and work.

Chesterton’s life and work in the literary world spanned a broad spectrum of interests and genres. This makes him, in many ways, more interesting to readers. We live in an age of specialists. Chesterton was a renaissance man, and he was studied and accomplished in many different disciplines. As one reads about his wide-ranging influence in theology, literary criticism, philosophy, and fiction writing, one wonders just how someone becomes as smart as Chesterton, and knows so many things about so many things.

If you want to be encouraged, inspired, and challenged, read this fine book. I am glad I picked it up!

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