The Shadow of God: A Journey Through Memory, Art, and Faith

by Charles Scribner III

The Shadow of God is part memoir, part spiritual autobiography, and part tour of great works of art, literature, and music. In the form of a journal written over the course of a year, Charles Scribner shares childhood recollections of a household where figures like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald were family friends. He tells stories from his own noteworthy publishing career, from his journey toward faith, and from his deep knowledge of Baroque art.

Born an Episcopalian, he charts the story of his interior life and the importance of the arts in helping him choose the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual paths he would follow, including his Catholic conversion. He asks himself questions like “How far back can we trace the roots of faith?” Scribner writes with contagious enthusiasm about the pivotal truths he discovered in the novels of Graham Greene and Evelyn Waugh and the inspiration he found in art, music, opera, and the Bible.

The Shadow of God is a journey through memory, art, and faith that shaped Scribner’s year as it passed through the seasons, from Epiphany to Epiphany. It is a moving portrait of a man who has devoted his life to words and the Word and a work of rare power by a writer whose grace, humor, and candor will touch readers.

304 pages, Hardcover

First published April 18, 2006

About the author

Charles Scribner III is an art historian, author, editor, and lecturer based in New York. He specializes in Baroque art, music, religion, and literature, especially authors published by Charles Scribner's Sons, founded in 1846.

Reviews

[Mary]

Charles Schribner is an interesting guy. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and this comes through in his book but not in an arrogant or snotty way. However, he is a man of deep faith who really cares about his fellow man.

His knowlege of art and music makes this book worth reading. He lives his faith and relates how it helps him though the tough times in life.

[Edward Renehan]

Delighted to return to this book after several years. Charlie's profound faith and generosity of spirit inform every page. Our culture is starved for this type of literature.