For those who are not very familiar with the biographies and the ideas of Freud or CS Lewis I think this book would be a great starting point. This book paints a general picture of each man, of their lives and of what they believed. There are also many useful references to the books they have written and the books that influenced them at certain key points in their lives.

It is important to note that this is not really a 'debate' as the book cover proclaims. Really this book is more of a comparison between Freud and Lewis. But if there is any element of a debate at all in this book it could be said that the debate has to do with which lifestyle is better, whether it be the melancholy materialism of Freud or the playful spirituality of Lewis. In reality though it is very obvious from early on that the author is against atheism and in favor of spirituality. As a Christian I'm not bothered by that particularly but I do worry that the author is a little too general as he describes each man. Freud is a little too selfish and miserable and Lewis is a little too cheerful and well adjusted so that both almost become idealized versions of the angry atheist and the cheerful mystic. Having read about Freud and Lewis beyond this book I know that these sorts of labels are not entirely accurate and they only serve to gloss over the complex humanity (and the complex message) of both of these men.

Had this book been an actual debate (where perhaps the author was a little more neutral in his examination of both lives) I may have given it more stars.