Happy 126th Birthday to C.S. Lewis, born on this day, November 29, 1898. In 1962, he was asked what books most influenced him. He responded with a list of 10 books. They're Great Books. I recommend you read them -- or, at least, read this thread about them:10. George MacDonald's Phantastes A fantasy novel about a young man searching for his female ideal in a dream-world. Lewis once said: "I have never concealed the fact that I regard [MacDonald] as my master... I have never written a book in which I did not quote from him."9. Virgil's The Aeneid An epic poem that is foundational to Western literature, it tells of Aeneas's heroic journey from the fall of Troy to the shores of Italy. Lewis once wrote: "A man, an adult, is precisely what [Aeneas] is... With Virgil, European poetry grows up."8. George Herbert's The Temple Herbert's poetry conveys complex theological truths through simple, poignant imagery. Lewis credited its beauty, religious devotion, and metaphysical depth with "bring[ing] me back to the Faith."7. William Wordsworth's The Prelude Wordsworth sought to write an epic comparable to Paradise Lost, but telling the story of his own spiritual journey. Wordsworth's romantic sensibility and ability to be surprised by the joy of nature deeply resonated with Lewis.6. Rudolf Otto's The Idea of the Holy Otto’s concept of the numinous—a mysterious, awe-inspiring presence that is at once terrifying and fascinating—deeply influenced Lewis’s conception of God and the divine.5. Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy This work, where the author seeks consolation from philosophy amid suffering, influenced Lewis’s view of divine providence and happiness. You can particularly see the influence of Boethius in Lewis's book The Problem of Pain.4. James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson Lewis read this book while convalescing during WWI, and it remained a book he'd dip in and out of throughout his life. Johnson was an intellectual model for him, and he enjoyed finding new details about Johnson's intellect and habits.3. Arthur James Balfour's Theism and Humanism Lewis, as he moved from atheism to Christianity, found Balfour's intellectual defense of faith particularly compelling. It helped hone the arguments for the rationality of Christian belief he would deploy in his apologetic works.2. Charles Williams's Descent into Hell Williams was a close friend and a fellow member of the Inklings. This "theological thriller," with its themes of self-sacrifice, spiritual warfare, and redemption, influenced Lewis, most clearly in his novel That Hideous Strength.1. G.K. Chesterton's The Everlasting Man Lewis called this book "the best popular defense of the full Christian position I know." While Lewis credited George MacDonald with "baptizing his imagination," it was Chesterton who "baptized his intellect."

Happy 126th Birthday to C.S. Lewis, born on this day, November 29, 1898. In 1962, he was asked what books most influenced him. He responded with a list of 10 books. They're Great Books. I recommend you read them -- or, at least, read this thread about them: ... 10. George MacDonald's Phantastes A fantasy novel about a young man searching for his female ideal in a dream-world. Lewis once said: "I have never concealed the fact that I regard [MacDonald] as my master... I have never written a book in which I did not quote from him." ... 9. Virgil's The Aeneid An epic poem that is foundational to Western literature, it tells of Aeneas's heroic journey from the fall of Troy to the shores of Italy. Lewis once wrote: "A man, an adult, is precisely what [Aeneas] is... With Virgil, European poetry grows up." ... 8. George Herbert's The Temple Herbert's poetry conveys complex theological truths through simple, poignant imagery. Lewis credited its beauty, religious devotion, and metaphysical depth with "bring[ing] me back to the Faith." ... 7. William Wordsworth's The Prelude Wordsworth sought to write an epic comparable to Paradise Lost, but telling the story of his own spiritual journey. Wordsworth's romantic sensibility and ability to be surprised by the joy of nature deeply resonated with Lewis. ... 6. Rudolf Otto's The Idea of the Holy Otto’s concept of the numinous—a mysterious, awe-inspiring presence that is at once terrifying and fascinating—deeply influenced Lewis’s conception of God and the divine. ... 5. Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy This work, where the author seeks consolation from philosophy amid suffering, influenced Lewis’s view of divine providence and happiness. You can particularly see the influence of Boethius in Lewis's book The Problem of Pain. ... 4. James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson Lewis read this book while convalescing during WWI, and it remained a book he'd dip in and out of throughout his life. Johnson was an intellectual model for him, and he enjoyed finding new details about Johnson's intellect and habits. ... 3. Arthur James Balfour's Theism and Humanism Lewis, as he moved from atheism to Christianity, found Balfour's intellectual defense of faith particularly compelling. It helped hone the arguments for the rationality of Christian belief he would deploy in his apologetic works. ... 2. Charles Williams's Descent into Hell Williams was a close friend and a fellow member of the Inklings. This "theological thriller," with its themes of self-sacrifice, spiritual warfare, and redemption, influenced Lewis, most clearly in his novel That Hideous Strength. ... 1. G.K. Chesterton's The Everlasting Man Lewis called this book "the best popular defense of the full Christian position I know." While Lewis credited George MacDonald with "baptizing his imagination," it was Chesterton who "baptized his intellect."