The Abolition of Man by C. S. Lewis

The Abolition of Man: Reflections on education with special reference to the teaching of English in the upper forms of schools

 

This is a challenging book to review. It is brilliant, profound, and timeless, even though it was published in 1943.

 

It is nearly prophetic.

 

It is Lewis’ defense of Natural Law versus Subjectivism and derived from a series of lectures he delivered at King’s College Newcastle. The lectures directly responded to a contemporary book espousing subjectivism in education, but I infer Lewis’ lectures and book were also in response to subjectivism as a whole.

 

It’s a short book but too big to synopsize into a few paragraphs. It is surprisingly lacking in Christian ideology. This was Lewis’ expressed intent. He makes a purely logical case, the conclusion being that when subjectivism has its way…

 

Man’s final conquest has proved to be the abolition of man.

 

I’ve not read That Hideous Strength by Lewis, but I understand it to be a fictional rendering of The Abolition of Man.

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The Classics Club Spin #33

It is time for the 33rd edition of the Classics Club Spin – List 20 books from my CC TBR, by Sunday, March 19. The mods then pick a random number, and I have until April 30 to finish reading my spin book. Presumably, there’s some penalty if I don’t, but I always do, so no worries.

I like my entire list. It has a couple authors that I really like, but haven’t read in quite some time: McCullers, Cather, Conrad; some new-to-me authors that I’ve been meaning to get to for quite some time: Wilder, Achebe; some other new-to-me that I have no idea what to expect: Beerbohm, Green, Gardner; and then a mix of very familiar to not so familiar authors. I don’t know what to hope for. I’ll just say The Day of the Jackal because the title is intriguing.

 

 

1. The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers

2. Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens

3. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain

4. Zuleika Dobson by Max Beerbohm

5. Post Office by Charles Bukowski

6. Loving by Henry Green

7. The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis

8. The Magus by John Fowles

9. The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

10. Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad

11. The Ballad of the Sad Café by Carson McCullers

12. Grendel by John Gardner

13. Things Fall Apart by China Achebe

14. Scoop by Evelyn Waugh

15. Cool Hand Luke by Don Pearce

16. The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier

17. O Pioneers! By Willa Cather

18. The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper

19. For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway

20. The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth

The Bookworm Tag

Rachel at The Edge of the Precipice tagged me with this, and she was tagged by Samantha at Bookshire. I’m sort of a boy scout about rules, but I’m not certain if I have to answer both Samantha’s and Rachel’s questions? So to be safe and avoid any severe penalty, I’ll answer both.

Samantha’s questions:

1. Hardback or paperback? 

Neither. I use an e-reader, though I usually buy a Hardback version of books I’ve read. My bookshelves are like a trophy case.

2. Did you have a favorite comic book or graphic novel as a kid, and if so, what was it? 

Spider man; especially Spidey vs. Hulk

3. What is your favorite devotional or inspirational book, and why?

Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee. It’s a five-year study that is basically the same as his five-year radio broadcast that went through the entire Bible

4. Would you rather have to read only one book for the rest of your life, or never get to reread a book?

I agree that it’s a terrible proposition, but if I had to choose, I’d give up rereading.

5. Least favorite literary villain? 

Randall Flagg from The Stand  And by this, I mean he was an excellent villain.

6. What is your favorite romance trope?

Sacrificial Love 

7. If you could spend a day with your favorite author, what would you do with them? 

J. R. R. Tolkien, probably have a pint of warm English beer, and try to get him to spill some dirt on C.S. Lewis

8. What is the longest book you've ever read, and did you like it? 

Remembrance of Things Past which happens to be the longest novel in the world. My version was a bit over 3,000 pages. It is more commonly known today as In Search of Lost Time, which I think is the better title, since I will never recover the lost time I spent reading this book. Hated it, but I read every word.

9. Do you have a favorite poet, and if so, who is it? When did you learn about them? 

I don’t really have a favorite. Perhaps Rudyard Kipling.

10. Have you ever cried over a fictional death scene, and if so, which one(s)?

Yes, Sydney Carton from A Tale of Two Cities. 

 

And now my answers to Rachel’s questions:

1.  If you had to go into the witness protection program, and they gave you the option of moving inside a book, where would you like to go?

If I don’t have to put up with the murderous locals, I’d choose the river from Deliverance.

2.  Have you ever claimed to have read a book you actually hadn't read?

I’m pretty sure I’ve done this, but many years ago. I’ve read em all now.

3.  What author have you read the most books by?

Charles Dickens

4.  Do you ever buy fun bookish merch like mugs, shirts, artwork, etc?

Rarely. 

5.  Do you usually read only one book at a time, or do you have several going at once?

I’m usually going very slow through a biography, and read several novels before I finish the biography. 

6.  Are you a mood reader, or do you plan out your reads?

Mostly planned, but I do alter the plan sometimes.

7.  If you could meet the author of your favorite book and ask them one question, what would you ask them?

What happened to you? …to Stephen King

8.  Have you ever tried a new food or drink because you read about it in a book or story?

I don’t think so, but I would love to try lembas bread.

9.  Have you ever named a pet after a book character?

I don’t think so, but my brother had a pet hawk named Galadriel…and I was the one who got him to read the Lord of the Rings, so sort of by proxy.

10.  What book are you reading right now?

Currently reading James Madison: A Biography. He is an impressive man, but boring. I hope he meets Dolly soon. I think she will be much more interesting.