≫ Read Alarms and Discursions G. K. Chesterton, Aeterna Press 9781785161773 Books

Alarms and Discursions G. K. Chesterton, Aeterna Press 9781785161773 Books

Download As PDF : Alarms and Discursions G. K. Chesterton, Aeterna Press 9781785161773 Books

Alone at some distance from the wasting walls of a disused abbey I found half sunken in the grass the grey and goggle-eyed visage of one of those graven monsters that made the ornamental water-spouts in the cathedrals of the Middle Ages. It lay there, scoured by ancient rains or striped by recent fungus, but still looking like the head of some huge dragon slain by a primeval hero. And as I looked at it, I thought of the meaning of the grotesque, and passed into some symbolic reverie of the three great stages of art.

Alarms and Discursions G. K. Chesterton, Aeterna Press 9781785161773 Books

Product details Paperback 106 pages Publisher Aeterna Press (January 28, 2015) Language English ISBN-10 1785161776

Tags : Alarms and Discursions [G. K. Chesterton, Aeterna Press] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Alone at some distance from the wasting walls of a disused abbey I found half sunken in the grass the grey and goggle-eyed visage of one of those graven monsters that made the ornamental water-spouts in the cathedrals of the Middle Ages. It lay there,G. K. Chesterton, Aeterna Press,Alarms and Discursions,Aeterna Press,1785161776,LITERARY COLLECTIONS Essays

Alarms and Discursions G. K. Chesterton, Aeterna Press 9781785161773 Books Reviews

This book has thirty-nine masterful essays by one of the great modern British writers. Worth reading. I enjoyed the whole book.

There is funny stuff here. Much of it is the droll, dry style typical of Britain. As an American it took me a while to appreciate British humour. Perhaps you’ve gone swimming in a chilly pool. Once you're in, the water's fine. Then you don’t want to get out. It’s like that.

A book of essays is great because of the stand-alone nature of each essay. They are perfect for reading when commuting. They are great to read in a doctor’s waiting room—unless it’s one of those waiting-and-waiting-and-waiting rooms, in which case you should bring a novel or get a new doctor.

For me, two essays were particularly interesting “Ethandune,” and “A Romance of the Marshes.” Both touch on King Alfred the Great (849 - 899 CE) and the Battle of Edington (878 CE). They herald the great epic poem that Chesterton published in 1911, “The Ballad of the White Horse.” In turn, the two essays and the epic poem may be seen as precursors to Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon Chronicles (first book The Last Kingdom (Saxon Tales Book 1) ) and the related TV series, available on Video at The Last Kingdom, Season 1.

ALARMS AND DISCURSIONS was originally published in London in 1910, then in New York in 1911. The New York edition added a short preface of two paragraphs and a fortieth essay, “The Fading Fireworks.” Neither is present in this version, but that should not diminish your enjoyment in any way.

In addition to novels, dramas, poetry, short stories, and who knows what, the prolific G. K. Chesterton also published over four thousand essays in his lifetime. I'm not sure which words in that sentence should be in all caps FOUR THOUSAND, or PUBLISHED. Amazing.

As we occupy the modern digital age, it is easy to overlook a literary gem if we discount something we think is “old.” ALARMS AND DISCURSIONS is a gem and not that old. It appeared on the world timeline nine years after Queen Victoria passed her crown to King Edward VII, making this book post-Victorian. Think of it as early steam punk.

In America, Mark Twain died the same year that ALARMS AND DISCURSIONS arrived in bookstores. There is no historical evidence that he died laughing at one of Chesterton’s essays but perhaps he had an advance copy. Who knows?

I’m not worried that you will die laughing. You will smile and chuckle, as I did. For the price of this ebook you cannot go wrong.

I hope this review is a bit helpful.
First published in 1910, "Alarms and Discursions" does not rank as one of the more popular books from G.K. Chesterton but it should be considered one of his true gems. His essays here are excellent. Not only does Chesterton offer his usual insight and fine style but the great writer's humor in often on center stage with funny pieces like "The Nightmare" and "The Telegraph Poles." With almost 40 essays here, the reader gets to see Chesterton at his versatile best. Highly recommended.
THIS BOOK TAKES A LOT OF CONCENTRATION. I is great for a Word-Smith. I have poor sight so I couldn't stay with it. It is very English-English.
Great Transaction - would do business with again
In my experience, all of Chesterton’s compilations of essays—The Defendant, Alarms and Discursions, All Things Considered, Tremendous Trifles—start out slow, but are loaded with dry humor and paradoxical insight. All of these books have had a few hit-or-miss articles in which I am not sure I understood the metaphor or the subject matter, some of which is ephemeral. But the best articles are truly remarkable.
“The Modern Scrooge” is imaginative and shocking; “Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds” has some classically English dry humor; “Five Hundred and Fifty-Five” is hitting and memorable. Many others were noteworthy.