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Inkling, Historian, Soldier, and Brother
The first full biography of Warren Lewis, brother and secretary of C. S. Lewis
Detailing the life of Warren Hamilton Lewis, author Don W. King gives us new insights into the life and mind of Warren’s famous brother, C. S. Lewis, and also demonstrates how Warren’s experiences provide an illuminating window into the events, personalities, and culture of 20th-century England. Inkling, Historian, Soldier, and Brother will appeal to those interested in C. S. Lewis and British social and cultural history.
As a career soldier, Warren served in France during the nightmare of World War I and was later posted to Sierra Leone and Shanghai. On his retirement from the army, he became an active member of the household at the Kilns, the residence outside Oxford that he co-owned with his brother and Mrs. Janie Moore, and he played an important role in the relationship between his brother and Joy Davidman, the woman who became C. S. Lewis’s wife. A talented writer and accomplished amateur historian, Warren also researched and wrote seven books on 17th-century French history.
Inkling, Historian, Soldier, and Brother examines Warren Lewis’s role as an original member of the Oxford Inklings—that now famous group of novelists, thinkers, clergy, poets, essayists, medical men, scholars, and friends who met regularly to drink beer; discuss books, ideas, history, and writers; and share pieces of their own writing for feedback from the group.
Drawing from Warren Lewis’s unpublished diaries, his letters, the memoir he wrote about his family, and other primary materials, this biography is an engaging story of a fascinating life, period of history, and of the warm and loving relationship between Warren and his brother, which lasted throughout their lives.
Detailing the life of Warren Hamilton Lewis, author Don W. King gives us new insights into the life and mind of Warren’s famous brother, C. S. Lewis, and also demonstrates how Warren’s experiences provide an illuminating window into the events, personalities, and culture of 20th-century England. Inkling, Historian, Soldier, and Brother will appeal to those interested in C. S. Lewis and British social and cultural history.
As a career soldier, Warren served in France during the nightmare of World War I and was later posted to Sierra Leone and Shanghai. On his retirement from the army, he became an active member of the household at the Kilns, the residence outside Oxford that he co-owned with his brother and Mrs. Janie Moore, and he played an important role in the relationship between his brother and Joy Davidman, the woman who became C. S. Lewis’s wife. A talented writer and accomplished amateur historian, Warren also researched and wrote seven books on 17th-century French history.
Inkling, Historian, Soldier, and Brother examines Warren Lewis’s role as an original member of the Oxford Inklings—that now famous group of novelists, thinkers, clergy, poets, essayists, medical men, scholars, and friends who met regularly to drink beer; discuss books, ideas, history, and writers; and share pieces of their own writing for feedback from the group.
Drawing from Warren Lewis’s unpublished diaries, his letters, the memoir he wrote about his family, and other primary materials, this biography is an engaging story of a fascinating life, period of history, and of the warm and loving relationship between Warren and his brother, which lasted throughout their lives.
- GenresBiography
435 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 10, 2023
2 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 26, 2023
This is an incredible in-depth biography of C. S. Lewis's brother Warnie Lewis by my friend Dr. Don King. It was incredibly interesting to learn about Warnie's travels in China, the British Isles, and America, the times he served in WWI and WII, his struggles, his warm personality, kindness, hospitality, love for Ireland, and literary success; the great bond of friendship with his brother, his brother's wife Joy Davidman Lewis, fascination with 17th century French history, and his great love for literature, walking tours, and the important role he played in The Inklings literary group. I highly recommend this book.
November 7, 2023
I've read a lot by and about C.S. (Jack) Lewis, but there's always been a bit of a mystery around his older brother, Warnie. The impression (unintended) is that he's a sidekick, challenged by drink, and lacking purpose. In reality, reports Don King, he was a talented and accomplished author, a committed member of the Inklings, respected in the military, and his younger brother's best friend. The book is well researched, organized, and a compassionate look at someone whose story deserves telling, especially to those looking for a fresh perspective on Jack, too.
January 19, 2024
Excellent, needed biography on a fascinating life
Don W. King does a great job on this needed biography on Warren Lewis (Warnie) who was a fascinating man and scholar in his own right. For a long time, I had only a surface understanding of C.S. Lewis' brother, that he attended meetings of the Inklings, was a soldier in the First World War, loved French history, and struggled with alcoholism. This book, however, brings Warnie to life again in the minds of Lewis fans and scholars, much in the same way that Patti Callahan and Abigail Santamaria have done for Joy Davidman.
Don W. King does a great job on this needed biography on Warren Lewis (Warnie) who was a fascinating man and scholar in his own right. For a long time, I had only a surface understanding of C.S. Lewis' brother, that he attended meetings of the Inklings, was a soldier in the First World War, loved French history, and struggled with alcoholism. This book, however, brings Warnie to life again in the minds of Lewis fans and scholars, much in the same way that Patti Callahan and Abigail Santamaria have done for Joy Davidman.
January 30, 2023
After so many fine biographies of younger brother CS, I had no idea of how brilliant Warren also was. I only thought of him as an amiable bachelor alcoholic with a military career and, later in life, as a secretary to his brother. Dr. Don King's book is brilliantly written. Warnie comes alive! I had a hard time putting it down. Did he have many struggles, yes. But he was also an accomplished author as well and deserves this extensively researched biography. Thank you, Don W. King.
February 7, 2023
Don King has done his due diligence in portraying one of the most important Inkling members aside from the towering figures of Lewis and Tolkien: Major Warren Lewis. I found this book enlightening, instructive, and enjoyable. Review forthcoming in Sehnsucht: The C. S. Lewis Journal.
FIVE STARS. Highly recommend!
FIVE STARS. Highly recommend!
March 18, 2025
This book is thorough, wide-ranging, judicious, fair-minded, meticulous, frank.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews