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The Essential Belloc: A Prophet for Our Times
Hilaire Belloc was a poet, polemicist, and prose stylist without peer, but above all, an entire generation's mighty champion for the Catholic faith. He was a prolific historian who authored many important works such as How the Reformation Happened, Europe and the Faith, and The Crusades.
The Essential Belloc, a timely new compilation of his insights on religion, politics, Western history and culture, is perfect for Catholics struggling against secularism. Included are his lighter musings on the particular charms of towns and peoples throughout the world, the love of good food and drink, and the songs of camaraderie that go with them.
This is the perfect book for those who know and love Belloc and for those not yet familiar with the brilliance and humor found in his prose.
New from Saint Benedict Press.
The Essential Belloc, a timely new compilation of his insights on religion, politics, Western history and culture, is perfect for Catholics struggling against secularism. Included are his lighter musings on the particular charms of towns and peoples throughout the world, the love of good food and drink, and the songs of camaraderie that go with them.
This is the perfect book for those who know and love Belloc and for those not yet familiar with the brilliance and humor found in his prose.
New from Saint Benedict Press.
- GenresCatholic
322 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2009
About the author
Hilaire Belloc
607 books419 followersJoseph Hilaire Pierre René Belloc, French-born British writer, is considered a master of light English prose and also widely known for his droll verse, especially
The Bad Child's Book of Beasts
in 1896.
The sharp wit of Belloc, an historian, poet, and orator, extended across a large literary output and strong political and religious convictions. Throughout his career, he prolifically wrote across a range of genres and produced histories, essays, travelogues, poetry, and satirical works.
Cautionary Tales for Children collects humorous yet dark morals, and the historical works of Hilaire Belloc often reflected his staunch Catholicism and critique of Protestant interpretations. He led advocates of an economic theory that promoted and championed distribution of small-scale property ownership as a middle ground between capitalism and socialism, alongside Gilbert Keith Chesterton, his close friend.
In politics, Hilaire Belloc served as a member of Parliament for the Liberal party, but the establishment disillusioned him. His polemical style and strong opinions made him a controversial figure, who particularly viewed modernism, secularism, and financial capitalism as threats to traditional Christian society in his critiques.
The sharp wit of Belloc, an historian, poet, and orator, extended across a large literary output and strong political and religious convictions. Throughout his career, he prolifically wrote across a range of genres and produced histories, essays, travelogues, poetry, and satirical works.
Cautionary Tales for Children collects humorous yet dark morals, and the historical works of Hilaire Belloc often reflected his staunch Catholicism and critique of Protestant interpretations. He led advocates of an economic theory that promoted and championed distribution of small-scale property ownership as a middle ground between capitalism and socialism, alongside Gilbert Keith Chesterton, his close friend.
In politics, Hilaire Belloc served as a member of Parliament for the Liberal party, but the establishment disillusioned him. His polemical style and strong opinions made him a controversial figure, who particularly viewed modernism, secularism, and financial capitalism as threats to traditional Christian society in his critiques.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 29, 2022
Very good collections of Belloc's writings, especially when interwoven from multiple sources under a theme.
November 9, 2022
While I enjoyed some of the quotes and definitely want to read more of Belloc, I didn't enjoy the format of this book. The quotes were hard to follow with no context.
January 27, 2024
Expecting this book to be a primer on Belloc and his writings, this book falls flat. It’s more like a “clip-show” -you know that one episode every TV show does (or more than one if the series runs long enough) which is mostly clips from previous episodes. This is an over-200-page quote book on various subjects written (or purportedly spoken) by Hilaire Belloc.
But added star for the good bibliography listing at the back, methinks one would be better off reading any one of those listed books by Belloc as a cohesive whole (rather than this quote book)
But added star for the good bibliography listing at the back, methinks one would be better off reading any one of those listed books by Belloc as a cohesive whole (rather than this quote book)
October 13, 2022
This review has nothing to do with Belloc or his writing (which to this point seems very interesting), and everything to do with the editors of this volume. I was expecting a collection of essays or chapters from books, something with at least a suggestion of context that could give me an "essential" overview of Belloc's thought. Instead, this is simply a very long book of quotes, devoid of context. And even these quotes are not edited well. Within the first 10 pages one is repeated.
Skip this volume and simply read Belloc's essays yourself.
Skip this volume and simply read Belloc's essays yourself.
October 29, 2022
Thoroughly whet my appetite to seek out and read more by Mr Belloc.
Want to Read
January 28, 2012Couldn't really get interested at the time. Will try again soon
August 11, 2014
Great anthology. Captured the spirit and relevance of his writing.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews