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G. K. Chesterton’s highly influential treatise on one of the most controversial topics of the early twentieth century When G. K. Chesterton first published Eugenics and Other Evils in 1922, he seemed to be the lone voice of reason against the fashionable concept of selectively breeding a population for “desirable” traits. Though later generations came to associate eugenics with the horrors of the Third Reich, worldwide support for the philosophy was at an all-time high when Chesterton penned this brave and prophetic work. His unique combination of somber analysis and coruscating wit produces an argument too persuasive to ignore. Eugenics and Other Evils showcases Chesterton at the height of his rhetorical powers. His discussion of capitalism, socialism, and the concerns that guide our moral decisions is as pertinent today as the day it was penned. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

The delightful debut of G. K. Chesterton’s most famous literary creation In his day, Flambeau was a legend of the underworld. Even now, his old confederates remember with pride the Tyrolean Dairy scheme, in which he built a thriving milk business despite owning not a single cow. But today the master thief finally meets his match. Attempting to steal a priceless cross, Flambeau runs afoul of Father Brown, an ordinary-looking priest with amazing insight into the criminal mind. With grace, logic, and good humor, the stout little clergyman soon reforms one of England’s most notorious villains. In thrilling tales such as “The Blue Cross,” “The Secret Garden,” and “The Hammer of God,” G. K. Chesterton’s immortal priest-detective applies his extraordinary intuition to the most intricate of mysteries. No corner of the human soul is too dark for Father Brown, no villain too ingenious. The Innocence of Father Brown is a testament to the power of faith and the pleasure of a story well told. This ebook features a new introduction by Otto Penzler and has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

Part comedy, part adventure, part social commentary, this astonishing tale of tomorrow explores the essence of human nature Published in 1904, G. K. Chesterton’s debut novel is set eighty years in the future. Technology and social mores remain the same, but the England of 1984 boasts a government in which ineffectual kings are selected at random from an otherwise apathetic populace that has “lost faith in revolutions.” The political system hits a snag when Auberon Quin is selected as the next monarch. More joker than potentate, Quin amuses himself by installing a series of laws and bizarre customs that inflate civic pomp and circumstance to laughable proportions. These policies inevitably put Quin, a leader who does not believes in any of his dictums, on a collision course with his most earnest supporter: Adam Wayne, otherwise known as the Napoleon of Notting Hill. A favorite among scholars and critics, The Napoleon of Notting Hill showcases the eclectic wit and unorthodox intellect that established Chesterton as one of the twentieth century’s most influential and far-reaching thinkers. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

The thrilling allegorical novel from the author of The Man Who Was Thursday and the Father Brown Stories First serialized in the Commonwealth, G. K. Chesterton’s fantastical third novel opens with a debate between Professor Lucifer and Brother Michael as they soar across the sky above London. Part farce, part theological exploration, The Ball and the Cross soon settles on the story of another pair of contraries. When differences of opinion lead an atheist and a devout Roman Catholic to plan a duel to the death, fate intervenes and propels the two men toward deeper understanding. Widely considered to be one of Chesterton’s most accessible and substantive works, The Ball and the Cross was commended by Pope John Paul I for the profound truths it reveals. Readers for over a hundred years have marveled at the brilliance of this exhilarating tale about belief, nonbelief, and our collective search for the truth. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

This audacious allegory transforms the old rule about judging a book by its cover into entertainment of the highest order A wind sprang high in the west, like a wave of unreasonable happiness, and tore eastward across England, trailing with it the frosty scent of forests and the cold intoxication of the sea. Seeking shelter from a storm of biblical proportions, a mysterious new tenant by the name of Innocent Smith arrives on the doorsteps of Beacon House. Eccentric, spry, and eager to make new friends, Innocent turns the culture of this ho-hum London boarding establishment upside down. But the fun and games come to an abrupt end when word arrives that the new lodger is wanted on charges of burglary, polygamy, desertion of a spouse, and murder. Only a jury of his peers can determine if Innocent is as guilty as he appears. Written in upbeat and lighthearted prose, this charming novel of life, salvation, and the human predicament captures G. K. Chesterton at his finest. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

The classic British detective story that became the immortal Hitchcock film starring James Stewart—from the author of the Father Brown mysteries. Horne Fisher is a skilled detective who always finds his man, but every solution comes with a catch: Exposing the crime will make things worse. Fisher’s greatest strength isn’t his Holmesian ability to deduce, but his knowledge of the dirty secrets of the ruling class, how the rich and powerful manipulate the government and bend the law to their wills. In this collection, Fisher uses his special skill to get to the bottom of mysteries as diverse as the disappearance of a valuable coin, the framing of an Irish prince, and the death of his own uncle from a falling statue. The Man Who Knew Too Much is a shining example of author G. K. Chesterton’s prodigious wit and prescient observation. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

Criminals beware—there is no eluding the extraordinary mind of Father Brown Dr. Orion Hood is one of the eminent thinkers of his day, a psychologist whose expert opinion on human nature is sometimes sought by the police. Usually, he is called on to solve only the most spectacular crimes—a nobleman murdered, a diplomat poisoned—but today a more ordinary problem presents itself. An amiable little priest named Father Brown asks Dr. Hood to help a young couple whose families do not want them to marry. Suspicions about the would-be groom abound—dynamite is thought to be his weapon of choice—but Father Brown hopes that Dr. Hood will be able to put the accusations to rest. In the end, however, it is the humble clergyman who picks through the towering evidence of guilt to ensure that love prevails. In this masterful collection of mysteries, including “The Paradise of Thieves,” “The Mistake of the Machine,” and “The Man in the Passage,” Father Brown employs his amazing intuition, developed over years of listening to men confess their sins, to solve crimes large and small. One of the most beloved heroes in all of detective fiction, this unassuming parish priest is as dedicated to the cause of justice as he is to his faith. This ebook features a new introduction by Otto Penzler and has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

»Herr Frank Harrogate, glaube ich«, sagte der Priester. »Ich hatte schon einmal das Vergnügen, aber ich will mich nicht darauf berufen. Das Merkwürdige, was ich Ihnen zu sagen habe, kommt wahrscheinlich besser von einem Fremden. Herr Harrogate, ich sage nur ein Wort und will dann gehen: Geben Sie auf Ihre Schwester acht, ihr droht ein schwerer Kummer.« Sogar für Franks wahrhaft brüderliche Gleichgültigkeit schien die strahlende und ausgelassene Heiterkeit seiner Schwester etwas Klingendes, Funkensprühendes an sich zu haben; er konnte ihr Lachen noch aus dem Hotelgarten herüberhören; und voll Verwirrung starrte er seinen düsteren Ratgeber an ...

Denselbigen Augenblick stieg der Rauch seiner Zigarre, der bislang waberte und wie durchsichtige Schlangenleiber über ihnen lagerte, kerzengerade auf als wie aus einer Fabrikesse – und die zwei fuhren mit Stühlen und Tisch hinab, hinunter, hinein, durch den Fussboden durch, als ob die Erde sie verschlänge. Sanken unter Rasseln ein Ding wie einen pfauchenden Schacht hinab, so rapid als wie in einem Lift, hinein, hinunter, – und plumpsten plötzlich auf den Boden auf. Aber während Gregory zwei Türflügel aufstiess und eine rote unterirdische Helle einliess, sass Syme, immer drauflos schmauchend, das eine Bein faul übers andere geschlagen, ohne dass auch nur ein einziges Härchen seines Gelbhaars Farbe gelassen hätte. Geleitete ihn Gregory alsdann eine niedrige gewölbte Passage hinab, von deren Ausgang das rote Leuchten heraufleuchtete. Und das kam von einer enormen hochroten Laterne, die so riesige Dimensionen hatte wie ein ganzer brennender Herd, – über einem schmalen, aber schwereisernen Tor. Und in dem Tor, da war eine Luke oder ein Gatter – und an das Tor, da schlug Gregory wohl fünfmal. Ein mächtiges Organ mit einem fremdländischen Akzent fragte heraus: »Wer da?« Und diesem Koloss antwortete Gregory sodann mehr oder weniger unvermutet: »Mr. Joseph Chamberlain.« Und die schweren Türangeln kreischten . . . und vermutlich war das eine Passeparole gewesen . . . Vom Tor an erstrahlte die Passage auf den ersten Blick als wie über und über ein Stahlnetzwerk. Aber beim zweiten Zusehen ersah Syme: dieses glitzernde Muster war in Wirklichkeit: Reihe um Reihe um Reihe – eine Armee von Gewehren und Revolvern, in Reih und Glied aufeinandergeschlossen, gerad wie Mann an Mann, Schulter an Schulter. ..

»Ja,« sagte Pater Brown, »ich habe Hunde sehr gern – aber nur ausserhalb des Gotteshauses.« Gewandte Sprecher sind nicht immer gewandte Zuhörer. Gerade die geistreichen Leute erweisen sich bisweilen als begriffsstutzig. Pater Browns Freund und Besucher war ein junger Mann namens Fiennes, ein Enthusiast mit temperamentvollen blauen Augen; sein blondes Haar machte den Eindruck, als sei es nicht mit der Haarbürste, sondern vom Gegenwind des Lebens, das er durchraste, zurückgestrichen. Er unterbrach seinen Redestrom von Ideen und Geschichten und schwieg einen Augenblick verdutzt, bis er die sehr einfachen Worte des Priesters verstand. »Sie meinen, solange man sie nicht anbetet?« sagte er. »Ja, aber ich weiss nicht – es sind doch wunderbare Geschöpfe. Manchmal habe ich die Empfindung, dass sie bedeutend mehr wissen als unsereiner. ..

Edicion de Alejandro y Jaime Valero. Comparándolos con otros, puede que algunos relatos del padre Brown parezcan ingenuos. Pero es que él no es un detective al uso, ni tampoco sus historias. No podemos leer a Chesterton como a Agatha Christie o a Conan Doyle, porque aquél tiene intenciones muy distintas con sus palabras. Le gusta recrearse creando misterios cada vez más complicados e irresolubles, pero también busca transmitir sus propias ideas y hacer un retrato costumbrista de las personas y lugares de su época, con especial mimo en detalles de la vida cotidiana que muchos pasarían por alto. Excepto su padre Brown.

“The best modern argument for Christianity I’ve ever read . . . Be careful—you might just be converted.” —Ross Douthat, The Week Philosopher and literary critic, as well as creator of the popular detective Father Brown, G. K. Chesterton takes us on a journey through history and human civilization in this classic work of lay theology, arguing—against the views of some of his contemporaries, H. G. Wells notable among them—that Jesus was simply a historical figure, albeit an extraordinary one, and Christianity is no different than any other religion. A book that had profound influence on C. S. Lewis, author of the Chronicles of Narnia series, The Everlasting Man is considered one of the great modern examples of Christian apologetics.

G. K. Chesterton’s highly influential treatise on one of the most controversial topics of the early twentieth century When G. K. Chesterton first published Eugenics and Other Evils in 1922, he seemed to be the lone voice of reason against the fashionable concept of selectively breeding a population for “desirable” traits. Though later generations came to associate eugenics with the horrors of the Third Reich, worldwide support for the philosophy was at an all-time high when Chesterton penned this brave and prophetic work. His unique combination of somber analysis and coruscating wit produces an argument too persuasive to ignore. Eugenics and Other Evils showcases Chesterton at the height of his rhetorical powers. His discussion of capitalism, socialism, and the concerns that guide our moral decisions is as pertinent today as the day it was penned. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

G. K. Chesterton’s highly influential treatise on one of the most controversial topics of the early twentieth century When G. K. Chesterton first published Eugenics and Other Evils in 1922, he seemed to be the lone voice of reason against the fashionable concept of selectively breeding a population for “desirable” traits. Though later generations came to associate eugenics with the horrors of the Third Reich, worldwide support for the philosophy was at an all-time high when Chesterton penned this brave and prophetic work. His unique combination of somber analysis and coruscating wit produces an argument too persuasive to ignore. Eugenics and Other Evils showcases Chesterton at the height of his rhetorical powers. His discussion of capitalism, socialism, and the concerns that guide our moral decisions is as pertinent today as the day it was penned. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

The delightful debut of G. K. Chesterton’s most famous literary creation In his day, Flambeau was a legend of the underworld. Even now, his old confederates remember with pride the Tyrolean Dairy scheme, in which he built a thriving milk business despite owning not a single cow. But today the master thief finally meets his match. Attempting to steal a priceless cross, Flambeau runs afoul of Father Brown, an ordinary-looking priest with amazing insight into the criminal mind. With grace, logic, and good humor, the stout little clergyman soon reforms one of England’s most notorious villains. In thrilling tales such as “The Blue Cross,” “The Secret Garden,” and “The Hammer of God,” G. K. Chesterton’s immortal priest-detective applies his extraordinary intuition to the most intricate of mysteries. No corner of the human soul is too dark for Father Brown, no villain too ingenious. The Innocence of Father Brown is a testament to the power of faith and the pleasure of a story well told. This ebook features a new introduction by Otto Penzler and has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

The thrilling allegorical novel from the author of The Man Who Was Thursday and the Father Brown Stories First serialized in the Commonwealth, G. K. Chesterton’s fantastical third novel opens with a debate between Professor Lucifer and Brother Michael as they soar across the sky above London. Part farce, part theological exploration, The Ball and the Cross soon settles on the story of another pair of contraries. When differences of opinion lead an atheist and a devout Roman Catholic to plan a duel to the death, fate intervenes and propels the two men toward deeper understanding. Widely considered to be one of Chesterton’s most accessible and substantive works, The Ball and the Cross was commended by Pope John Paul I for the profound truths it reveals. Readers for over a hundred years have marveled at the brilliance of this exhilarating tale about belief, nonbelief, and our collective search for the truth. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

Part comedy, part adventure, part social commentary, this astonishing tale of tomorrow explores the essence of human nature Published in 1904, G. K. Chesterton’s debut novel is set eighty years in the future. Technology and social mores remain the same, but the England of 1984 boasts a government in which ineffectual kings are selected at random from an otherwise apathetic populace that has “lost faith in revolutions.” The political system hits a snag when Auberon Quin is selected as the next monarch. More joker than potentate, Quin amuses himself by installing a series of laws and bizarre customs that inflate civic pomp and circumstance to laughable proportions. These policies inevitably put Quin, a leader who does not believes in any of his dictums, on a collision course with his most earnest supporter: Adam Wayne, otherwise known as the Napoleon of Notting Hill. A favorite among scholars and critics, The Napoleon of Notting Hill showcases the eclectic wit and unorthodox intellect that established Chesterton as one of the twentieth century’s most influential and far-reaching thinkers. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

This audacious allegory transforms the old rule about judging a book by its cover into entertainment of the highest order A wind sprang high in the west, like a wave of unreasonable happiness, and tore eastward across England, trailing with it the frosty scent of forests and the cold intoxication of the sea. Seeking shelter from a storm of biblical proportions, a mysterious new tenant by the name of Innocent Smith arrives on the doorsteps of Beacon House. Eccentric, spry, and eager to make new friends, Innocent turns the culture of this ho-hum London boarding establishment upside down. But the fun and games come to an abrupt end when word arrives that the new lodger is wanted on charges of burglary, polygamy, desertion of a spouse, and murder. Only a jury of his peers can determine if Innocent is as guilty as he appears. Written in upbeat and lighthearted prose, this charming novel of life, salvation, and the human predicament captures G. K. Chesterton at his finest. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

The classic British detective story that became the immortal Hitchcock film starring James Stewart—from the author of the Father Brown mysteries. Horne Fisher is a skilled detective who always finds his man, but every solution comes with a catch: Exposing the crime will make things worse. Fisher’s greatest strength isn’t his Holmesian ability to deduce, but his knowledge of the dirty secrets of the ruling class, how the rich and powerful manipulate the government and bend the law to their wills. In this collection, Fisher uses his special skill to get to the bottom of mysteries as diverse as the disappearance of a valuable coin, the framing of an Irish prince, and the death of his own uncle from a falling statue. The Man Who Knew Too Much is a shining example of author G. K. Chesterton’s prodigious wit and prescient observation. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

Criminals beware—there is no eluding the extraordinary mind of Father Brown Dr. Orion Hood is one of the eminent thinkers of his day, a psychologist whose expert opinion on human nature is sometimes sought by the police. Usually, he is called on to solve only the most spectacular crimes—a nobleman murdered, a diplomat poisoned—but today a more ordinary problem presents itself. An amiable little priest named Father Brown asks Dr. Hood to help a young couple whose families do not want them to marry. Suspicions about the would-be groom abound—dynamite is thought to be his weapon of choice—but Father Brown hopes that Dr. Hood will be able to put the accusations to rest. In the end, however, it is the humble clergyman who picks through the towering evidence of guilt to ensure that love prevails. In this masterful collection of mysteries, including “The Paradise of Thieves,” “The Mistake of the Machine,” and “The Man in the Passage,” Father Brown employs his amazing intuition, developed over years of listening to men confess their sins, to solve crimes large and small. One of the most beloved heroes in all of detective fiction, this unassuming parish priest is as dedicated to the cause of justice as he is to his faith. This ebook features a new introduction by Otto Penzler and has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

»Herr Frank Harrogate, glaube ich«, sagte der Priester. »Ich hatte schon einmal das Vergnügen, aber ich will mich nicht darauf berufen. Das Merkwürdige, was ich Ihnen zu sagen habe, kommt wahrscheinlich besser von einem Fremden. Herr Harrogate, ich sage nur ein Wort und will dann gehen: Geben Sie auf Ihre Schwester acht, ihr droht ein schwerer Kummer.« Sogar für Franks wahrhaft brüderliche Gleichgültigkeit schien die strahlende und ausgelassene Heiterkeit seiner Schwester etwas Klingendes, Funkensprühendes an sich zu haben; er konnte ihr Lachen noch aus dem Hotelgarten herüberhören; und voll Verwirrung starrte er seinen düsteren Ratgeber an ...

Denselbigen Augenblick stieg der Rauch seiner Zigarre, der bislang waberte und wie durchsichtige Schlangenleiber über ihnen lagerte, kerzengerade auf als wie aus einer Fabrikesse – und die zwei fuhren mit Stühlen und Tisch hinab, hinunter, hinein, durch den Fussboden durch, als ob die Erde sie verschlänge. Sanken unter Rasseln ein Ding wie einen pfauchenden Schacht hinab, so rapid als wie in einem Lift, hinein, hinunter, – und plumpsten plötzlich auf den Boden auf. Aber während Gregory zwei Türflügel aufstiess und eine rote unterirdische Helle einliess, sass Syme, immer drauflos schmauchend, das eine Bein faul übers andere geschlagen, ohne dass auch nur ein einziges Härchen seines Gelbhaars Farbe gelassen hätte. Geleitete ihn Gregory alsdann eine niedrige gewölbte Passage hinab, von deren Ausgang das rote Leuchten heraufleuchtete. Und das kam von einer enormen hochroten Laterne, die so riesige Dimensionen hatte wie ein ganzer brennender Herd, – über einem schmalen, aber schwereisernen Tor. Und in dem Tor, da war eine Luke oder ein Gatter – und an das Tor, da schlug Gregory wohl fünfmal. Ein mächtiges Organ mit einem fremdländischen Akzent fragte heraus: »Wer da?« Und diesem Koloss antwortete Gregory sodann mehr oder weniger unvermutet: »Mr. Joseph Chamberlain.« Und die schweren Türangeln kreischten . . . und vermutlich war das eine Passeparole gewesen . . . Vom Tor an erstrahlte die Passage auf den ersten Blick als wie über und über ein Stahlnetzwerk. Aber beim zweiten Zusehen ersah Syme: dieses glitzernde Muster war in Wirklichkeit: Reihe um Reihe um Reihe – eine Armee von Gewehren und Revolvern, in Reih und Glied aufeinandergeschlossen, gerad wie Mann an Mann, Schulter an Schulter. ..

»Ja,« sagte Pater Brown, »ich habe Hunde sehr gern – aber nur ausserhalb des Gotteshauses.« Gewandte Sprecher sind nicht immer gewandte Zuhörer. Gerade die geistreichen Leute erweisen sich bisweilen als begriffsstutzig. Pater Browns Freund und Besucher war ein junger Mann namens Fiennes, ein Enthusiast mit temperamentvollen blauen Augen; sein blondes Haar machte den Eindruck, als sei es nicht mit der Haarbürste, sondern vom Gegenwind des Lebens, das er durchraste, zurückgestrichen. Er unterbrach seinen Redestrom von Ideen und Geschichten und schwieg einen Augenblick verdutzt, bis er die sehr einfachen Worte des Priesters verstand. »Sie meinen, solange man sie nicht anbetet?« sagte er. »Ja, aber ich weiss nicht – es sind doch wunderbare Geschöpfe. Manchmal habe ich die Empfindung, dass sie bedeutend mehr wissen als unsereiner. ..

Edicion de Alejandro y Jaime Valero. Comparándolos con otros, puede que algunos relatos del padre Brown parezcan ingenuos. Pero es que él no es un detective al uso, ni tampoco sus historias. No podemos leer a Chesterton como a Agatha Christie o a Conan Doyle, porque aquél tiene intenciones muy distintas con sus palabras. Le gusta recrearse creando misterios cada vez más complicados e irresolubles, pero también busca transmitir sus propias ideas y hacer un retrato costumbrista de las personas y lugares de su época, con especial mimo en detalles de la vida cotidiana que muchos pasarían por alto. Excepto su padre Brown.

“The best modern argument for Christianity I’ve ever read . . . Be careful—you might just be converted.” —Ross Douthat, The Week Philosopher and literary critic, as well as creator of the popular detective Father Brown, G. K. Chesterton takes us on a journey through history and human civilization in this classic work of lay theology, arguing—against the views of some of his contemporaries, H. G. Wells notable among them—that Jesus was simply a historical figure, albeit an extraordinary one, and Christianity is no different than any other religion. A book that had profound influence on C. S. Lewis, author of the Chronicles of Narnia series, The Everlasting Man is considered one of the great modern examples of Christian apologetics.

The delightful debut of G. K. Chesterton’s most famous literary creation In his day, Flambeau was a legend of the underworld. Even now, his old confederates remember with pride the Tyrolean Dairy scheme, in which he built a thriving milk business despite owning not a single cow. But today the master thief finally meets his match. Attempting to steal a priceless cross, Flambeau runs afoul of Father Brown, an ordinary-looking priest with amazing insight into the criminal mind. With grace, logic, and good humor, the stout little clergyman soon reforms one of England’s most notorious villains. In thrilling tales such as “The Blue Cross,” “The Secret Garden,” and “The Hammer of God,” G. K. Chesterton’s immortal priest-detective applies his extraordinary intuition to the most intricate of mysteries. No corner of the human soul is too dark for Father Brown, no villain too ingenious. The Innocence of Father Brown is a testament to the power of faith and the pleasure of a story well told. This ebook features a new introduction by Otto Penzler and has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

Part comedy, part adventure, part social commentary, this astonishing tale of tomorrow explores the essence of human nature Published in 1904, G. K. Chesterton’s debut novel is set eighty years in the future. Technology and social mores remain the same, but the England of 1984 boasts a government in which ineffectual kings are selected at random from an otherwise apathetic populace that has “lost faith in revolutions.” The political system hits a snag when Auberon Quin is selected as the next monarch. More joker than potentate, Quin amuses himself by installing a series of laws and bizarre customs that inflate civic pomp and circumstance to laughable proportions. These policies inevitably put Quin, a leader who does not believes in any of his dictums, on a collision course with his most earnest supporter: Adam Wayne, otherwise known as the Napoleon of Notting Hill. A favorite among scholars and critics, The Napoleon of Notting Hill showcases the eclectic wit and unorthodox intellect that established Chesterton as one of the twentieth century’s most influential and far-reaching thinkers. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

The thrilling allegorical novel from the author of The Man Who Was Thursday and the Father Brown Stories First serialized in the Commonwealth, G. K. Chesterton’s fantastical third novel opens with a debate between Professor Lucifer and Brother Michael as they soar across the sky above London. Part farce, part theological exploration, The Ball and the Cross soon settles on the story of another pair of contraries. When differences of opinion lead an atheist and a devout Roman Catholic to plan a duel to the death, fate intervenes and propels the two men toward deeper understanding. Widely considered to be one of Chesterton’s most accessible and substantive works, The Ball and the Cross was commended by Pope John Paul I for the profound truths it reveals. Readers for over a hundred years have marveled at the brilliance of this exhilarating tale about belief, nonbelief, and our collective search for the truth. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

This audacious allegory transforms the old rule about judging a book by its cover into entertainment of the highest order A wind sprang high in the west, like a wave of unreasonable happiness, and tore eastward across England, trailing with it the frosty scent of forests and the cold intoxication of the sea. Seeking shelter from a storm of biblical proportions, a mysterious new tenant by the name of Innocent Smith arrives on the doorsteps of Beacon House. Eccentric, spry, and eager to make new friends, Innocent turns the culture of this ho-hum London boarding establishment upside down. But the fun and games come to an abrupt end when word arrives that the new lodger is wanted on charges of burglary, polygamy, desertion of a spouse, and murder. Only a jury of his peers can determine if Innocent is as guilty as he appears. Written in upbeat and lighthearted prose, this charming novel of life, salvation, and the human predicament captures G. K. Chesterton at his finest. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

The classic British detective story that became the immortal Hitchcock film starring James Stewart—from the author of the Father Brown mysteries. Horne Fisher is a skilled detective who always finds his man, but every solution comes with a catch: Exposing the crime will make things worse. Fisher’s greatest strength isn’t his Holmesian ability to deduce, but his knowledge of the dirty secrets of the ruling class, how the rich and powerful manipulate the government and bend the law to their wills. In this collection, Fisher uses his special skill to get to the bottom of mysteries as diverse as the disappearance of a valuable coin, the framing of an Irish prince, and the death of his own uncle from a falling statue. The Man Who Knew Too Much is a shining example of author G. K. Chesterton’s prodigious wit and prescient observation. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

Criminals beware—there is no eluding the extraordinary mind of Father Brown Dr. Orion Hood is one of the eminent thinkers of his day, a psychologist whose expert opinion on human nature is sometimes sought by the police. Usually, he is called on to solve only the most spectacular crimes—a nobleman murdered, a diplomat poisoned—but today a more ordinary problem presents itself. An amiable little priest named Father Brown asks Dr. Hood to help a young couple whose families do not want them to marry. Suspicions about the would-be groom abound—dynamite is thought to be his weapon of choice—but Father Brown hopes that Dr. Hood will be able to put the accusations to rest. In the end, however, it is the humble clergyman who picks through the towering evidence of guilt to ensure that love prevails. In this masterful collection of mysteries, including “The Paradise of Thieves,” “The Mistake of the Machine,” and “The Man in the Passage,” Father Brown employs his amazing intuition, developed over years of listening to men confess their sins, to solve crimes large and small. One of the most beloved heroes in all of detective fiction, this unassuming parish priest is as dedicated to the cause of justice as he is to his faith. This ebook features a new introduction by Otto Penzler and has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

Denselbigen Augenblick stieg der Rauch seiner Zigarre, der bislang waberte und wie durchsichtige Schlangenleiber über ihnen lagerte, kerzengerade auf als wie aus einer Fabrikesse – und die zwei fuhren mit Stühlen und Tisch hinab, hinunter, hinein, durch den Fussboden durch, als ob die Erde sie verschlänge. Sanken unter Rasseln ein Ding wie einen pfauchenden Schacht hinab, so rapid als wie in einem Lift, hinein, hinunter, – und plumpsten plötzlich auf den Boden auf. Aber während Gregory zwei Türflügel aufstiess und eine rote unterirdische Helle einliess, sass Syme, immer drauflos schmauchend, das eine Bein faul übers andere geschlagen, ohne dass auch nur ein einziges Härchen seines Gelbhaars Farbe gelassen hätte. Geleitete ihn Gregory alsdann eine niedrige gewölbte Passage hinab, von deren Ausgang das rote Leuchten heraufleuchtete. Und das kam von einer enormen hochroten Laterne, die so riesige Dimensionen hatte wie ein ganzer brennender Herd, – über einem schmalen, aber schwereisernen Tor. Und in dem Tor, da war eine Luke oder ein Gatter – und an das Tor, da schlug Gregory wohl fünfmal. Ein mächtiges Organ mit einem fremdländischen Akzent fragte heraus: »Wer da?« Und diesem Koloss antwortete Gregory sodann mehr oder weniger unvermutet: »Mr. Joseph Chamberlain.« Und die schweren Türangeln kreischten . . . und vermutlich war das eine Passeparole gewesen . . . Vom Tor an erstrahlte die Passage auf den ersten Blick als wie über und über ein Stahlnetzwerk. Aber beim zweiten Zusehen ersah Syme: dieses glitzernde Muster war in Wirklichkeit: Reihe um Reihe um Reihe – eine Armee von Gewehren und Revolvern, in Reih und Glied aufeinandergeschlossen, gerad wie Mann an Mann, Schulter an Schulter. ..

»Herr Frank Harrogate, glaube ich«, sagte der Priester. »Ich hatte schon einmal das Vergnügen, aber ich will mich nicht darauf berufen. Das Merkwürdige, was ich Ihnen zu sagen habe, kommt wahrscheinlich besser von einem Fremden. Herr Harrogate, ich sage nur ein Wort und will dann gehen: Geben Sie auf Ihre Schwester acht, ihr droht ein schwerer Kummer.« Sogar für Franks wahrhaft brüderliche Gleichgültigkeit schien die strahlende und ausgelassene Heiterkeit seiner Schwester etwas Klingendes, Funkensprühendes an sich zu haben; er konnte ihr Lachen noch aus dem Hotelgarten herüberhören; und voll Verwirrung starrte er seinen düsteren Ratgeber an ...

»Ja,« sagte Pater Brown, »ich habe Hunde sehr gern – aber nur ausserhalb des Gotteshauses.« Gewandte Sprecher sind nicht immer gewandte Zuhörer. Gerade die geistreichen Leute erweisen sich bisweilen als begriffsstutzig. Pater Browns Freund und Besucher war ein junger Mann namens Fiennes, ein Enthusiast mit temperamentvollen blauen Augen; sein blondes Haar machte den Eindruck, als sei es nicht mit der Haarbürste, sondern vom Gegenwind des Lebens, das er durchraste, zurückgestrichen. Er unterbrach seinen Redestrom von Ideen und Geschichten und schwieg einen Augenblick verdutzt, bis er die sehr einfachen Worte des Priesters verstand. »Sie meinen, solange man sie nicht anbetet?« sagte er. »Ja, aber ich weiss nicht – es sind doch wunderbare Geschöpfe. Manchmal habe ich die Empfindung, dass sie bedeutend mehr wissen als unsereiner. ..

Edicion de Alejandro y Jaime Valero. Comparándolos con otros, puede que algunos relatos del padre Brown parezcan ingenuos. Pero es que él no es un detective al uso, ni tampoco sus historias. No podemos leer a Chesterton como a Agatha Christie o a Conan Doyle, porque aquél tiene intenciones muy distintas con sus palabras. Le gusta recrearse creando misterios cada vez más complicados e irresolubles, pero también busca transmitir sus propias ideas y hacer un retrato costumbrista de las personas y lugares de su época, con especial mimo en detalles de la vida cotidiana que muchos pasarían por alto. Excepto su padre Brown.

“The best modern argument for Christianity I’ve ever read . . . Be careful—you might just be converted.” —Ross Douthat, The Week Philosopher and literary critic, as well as creator of the popular detective Father Brown, G. K. Chesterton takes us on a journey through history and human civilization in this classic work of lay theology, arguing—against the views of some of his contemporaries, H. G. Wells notable among them—that Jesus was simply a historical figure, albeit an extraordinary one, and Christianity is no different than any other religion. A book that had profound influence on C. S. Lewis, author of the Chronicles of Narnia series, The Everlasting Man is considered one of the great modern examples of Christian apologetics.

G. K. Chesterton’s highly influential treatise on one of the most controversial topics of the early twentieth century When G. K. Chesterton first published Eugenics and Other Evils in 1922, he seemed to be the lone voice of reason against the fashionable concept of selectively breeding a population for “desirable” traits. Though later generations came to associate eugenics with the horrors of the Third Reich, worldwide support for the philosophy was at an all-time high when Chesterton penned this brave and prophetic work. His unique combination of somber analysis and coruscating wit produces an argument too persuasive to ignore. Eugenics and Other Evils showcases Chesterton at the height of his rhetorical powers. His discussion of capitalism, socialism, and the concerns that guide our moral decisions is as pertinent today as the day it was penned. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

This audacious allegory transforms the old rule about judging a book by its cover into entertainment of the highest order A wind sprang high in the west, like a wave of unreasonable happiness, and tore eastward across England, trailing with it the frosty scent of forests and the cold intoxication of the sea. Seeking shelter from a storm of biblical proportions, a mysterious new tenant by the name of Innocent Smith arrives on the doorsteps of Beacon House. Eccentric, spry, and eager to make new friends, Innocent turns the culture of this ho-hum London boarding establishment upside down. But the fun and games come to an abrupt end when word arrives that the new lodger is wanted on charges of burglary, polygamy, desertion of a spouse, and murder. Only a jury of his peers can determine if Innocent is as guilty as he appears. Written in upbeat and lighthearted prose, this charming novel of life, salvation, and the human predicament captures G. K. Chesterton at his finest. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

The delightful debut of G. K. Chesterton’s most famous literary creation In his day, Flambeau was a legend of the underworld. Even now, his old confederates remember with pride the Tyrolean Dairy scheme, in which he built a thriving milk business despite owning not a single cow. But today the master thief finally meets his match. Attempting to steal a priceless cross, Flambeau runs afoul of Father Brown, an ordinary-looking priest with amazing insight into the criminal mind. With grace, logic, and good humor, the stout little clergyman soon reforms one of England’s most notorious villains. In thrilling tales such as “The Blue Cross,” “The Secret Garden,” and “The Hammer of God,” G. K. Chesterton’s immortal priest-detective applies his extraordinary intuition to the most intricate of mysteries. No corner of the human soul is too dark for Father Brown, no villain too ingenious. The Innocence of Father Brown is a testament to the power of faith and the pleasure of a story well told. This ebook features a new introduction by Otto Penzler and has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

The thrilling allegorical novel from the author of The Man Who Was Thursday and the Father Brown Stories First serialized in the Commonwealth, G. K. Chesterton’s fantastical third novel opens with a debate between Professor Lucifer and Brother Michael as they soar across the sky above London. Part farce, part theological exploration, The Ball and the Cross soon settles on the story of another pair of contraries. When differences of opinion lead an atheist and a devout Roman Catholic to plan a duel to the death, fate intervenes and propels the two men toward deeper understanding. Widely considered to be one of Chesterton’s most accessible and substantive works, The Ball and the Cross was commended by Pope John Paul I for the profound truths it reveals. Readers for over a hundred years have marveled at the brilliance of this exhilarating tale about belief, nonbelief, and our collective search for the truth. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

Part comedy, part adventure, part social commentary, this astonishing tale of tomorrow explores the essence of human nature Published in 1904, G. K. Chesterton’s debut novel is set eighty years in the future. Technology and social mores remain the same, but the England of 1984 boasts a government in which ineffectual kings are selected at random from an otherwise apathetic populace that has “lost faith in revolutions.” The political system hits a snag when Auberon Quin is selected as the next monarch. More joker than potentate, Quin amuses himself by installing a series of laws and bizarre customs that inflate civic pomp and circumstance to laughable proportions. These policies inevitably put Quin, a leader who does not believes in any of his dictums, on a collision course with his most earnest supporter: Adam Wayne, otherwise known as the Napoleon of Notting Hill. A favorite among scholars and critics, The Napoleon of Notting Hill showcases the eclectic wit and unorthodox intellect that established Chesterton as one of the twentieth century’s most influential and far-reaching thinkers. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

The classic British detective story that became the immortal Hitchcock film starring James Stewart—from the author of the Father Brown mysteries. Horne Fisher is a skilled detective who always finds his man, but every solution comes with a catch: Exposing the crime will make things worse. Fisher’s greatest strength isn’t his Holmesian ability to deduce, but his knowledge of the dirty secrets of the ruling class, how the rich and powerful manipulate the government and bend the law to their wills. In this collection, Fisher uses his special skill to get to the bottom of mysteries as diverse as the disappearance of a valuable coin, the framing of an Irish prince, and the death of his own uncle from a falling statue. The Man Who Knew Too Much is a shining example of author G. K. Chesterton’s prodigious wit and prescient observation. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

Criminals beware—there is no eluding the extraordinary mind of Father Brown Dr. Orion Hood is one of the eminent thinkers of his day, a psychologist whose expert opinion on human nature is sometimes sought by the police. Usually, he is called on to solve only the most spectacular crimes—a nobleman murdered, a diplomat poisoned—but today a more ordinary problem presents itself. An amiable little priest named Father Brown asks Dr. Hood to help a young couple whose families do not want them to marry. Suspicions about the would-be groom abound—dynamite is thought to be his weapon of choice—but Father Brown hopes that Dr. Hood will be able to put the accusations to rest. In the end, however, it is the humble clergyman who picks through the towering evidence of guilt to ensure that love prevails. In this masterful collection of mysteries, including “The Paradise of Thieves,” “The Mistake of the Machine,” and “The Man in the Passage,” Father Brown employs his amazing intuition, developed over years of listening to men confess their sins, to solve crimes large and small. One of the most beloved heroes in all of detective fiction, this unassuming parish priest is as dedicated to the cause of justice as he is to his faith. This ebook features a new introduction by Otto Penzler and has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

»Herr Frank Harrogate, glaube ich«, sagte der Priester. »Ich hatte schon einmal das Vergnügen, aber ich will mich nicht darauf berufen. Das Merkwürdige, was ich Ihnen zu sagen habe, kommt wahrscheinlich besser von einem Fremden. Herr Harrogate, ich sage nur ein Wort und will dann gehen: Geben Sie auf Ihre Schwester acht, ihr droht ein schwerer Kummer.« Sogar für Franks wahrhaft brüderliche Gleichgültigkeit schien die strahlende und ausgelassene Heiterkeit seiner Schwester etwas Klingendes, Funkensprühendes an sich zu haben; er konnte ihr Lachen noch aus dem Hotelgarten herüberhören; und voll Verwirrung starrte er seinen düsteren Ratgeber an ...

Denselbigen Augenblick stieg der Rauch seiner Zigarre, der bislang waberte und wie durchsichtige Schlangenleiber über ihnen lagerte, kerzengerade auf als wie aus einer Fabrikesse – und die zwei fuhren mit Stühlen und Tisch hinab, hinunter, hinein, durch den Fussboden durch, als ob die Erde sie verschlänge. Sanken unter Rasseln ein Ding wie einen pfauchenden Schacht hinab, so rapid als wie in einem Lift, hinein, hinunter, – und plumpsten plötzlich auf den Boden auf. Aber während Gregory zwei Türflügel aufstiess und eine rote unterirdische Helle einliess, sass Syme, immer drauflos schmauchend, das eine Bein faul übers andere geschlagen, ohne dass auch nur ein einziges Härchen seines Gelbhaars Farbe gelassen hätte. Geleitete ihn Gregory alsdann eine niedrige gewölbte Passage hinab, von deren Ausgang das rote Leuchten heraufleuchtete. Und das kam von einer enormen hochroten Laterne, die so riesige Dimensionen hatte wie ein ganzer brennender Herd, – über einem schmalen, aber schwereisernen Tor. Und in dem Tor, da war eine Luke oder ein Gatter – und an das Tor, da schlug Gregory wohl fünfmal. Ein mächtiges Organ mit einem fremdländischen Akzent fragte heraus: »Wer da?« Und diesem Koloss antwortete Gregory sodann mehr oder weniger unvermutet: »Mr. Joseph Chamberlain.« Und die schweren Türangeln kreischten . . . und vermutlich war das eine Passeparole gewesen . . . Vom Tor an erstrahlte die Passage auf den ersten Blick als wie über und über ein Stahlnetzwerk. Aber beim zweiten Zusehen ersah Syme: dieses glitzernde Muster war in Wirklichkeit: Reihe um Reihe um Reihe – eine Armee von Gewehren und Revolvern, in Reih und Glied aufeinandergeschlossen, gerad wie Mann an Mann, Schulter an Schulter. ..

»Ja,« sagte Pater Brown, »ich habe Hunde sehr gern – aber nur ausserhalb des Gotteshauses.« Gewandte Sprecher sind nicht immer gewandte Zuhörer. Gerade die geistreichen Leute erweisen sich bisweilen als begriffsstutzig. Pater Browns Freund und Besucher war ein junger Mann namens Fiennes, ein Enthusiast mit temperamentvollen blauen Augen; sein blondes Haar machte den Eindruck, als sei es nicht mit der Haarbürste, sondern vom Gegenwind des Lebens, das er durchraste, zurückgestrichen. Er unterbrach seinen Redestrom von Ideen und Geschichten und schwieg einen Augenblick verdutzt, bis er die sehr einfachen Worte des Priesters verstand. »Sie meinen, solange man sie nicht anbetet?« sagte er. »Ja, aber ich weiss nicht – es sind doch wunderbare Geschöpfe. Manchmal habe ich die Empfindung, dass sie bedeutend mehr wissen als unsereiner. ..

Edicion de Alejandro y Jaime Valero. Comparándolos con otros, puede que algunos relatos del padre Brown parezcan ingenuos. Pero es que él no es un detective al uso, ni tampoco sus historias. No podemos leer a Chesterton como a Agatha Christie o a Conan Doyle, porque aquél tiene intenciones muy distintas con sus palabras. Le gusta recrearse creando misterios cada vez más complicados e irresolubles, pero también busca transmitir sus propias ideas y hacer un retrato costumbrista de las personas y lugares de su época, con especial mimo en detalles de la vida cotidiana que muchos pasarían por alto. Excepto su padre Brown.

“The best modern argument for Christianity I’ve ever read . . . Be careful—you might just be converted.” —Ross Douthat, The Week Philosopher and literary critic, as well as creator of the popular detective Father Brown, G. K. Chesterton takes us on a journey through history and human civilization in this classic work of lay theology, arguing—against the views of some of his contemporaries, H. G. Wells notable among them—that Jesus was simply a historical figure, albeit an extraordinary one, and Christianity is no different than any other religion. A book that had profound influence on C. S. Lewis, author of the Chronicles of Narnia series, The Everlasting Man is considered one of the great modern examples of Christian apologetics.

Este volumen, realizado en colaboración con el Club Chesterton de la Universidad San Pablo CEU (Fundación Cultural Ángel Herrera Oria), es el sexto de esta serie que pone a disposición de los lectores la traducción de los artículos de Chesterton en el semanario londinense The Illustrated London News en 1911. Coincidiendo ahora con el 150 aniversario del nacimiento de su autor, esta publicación contiene ensayos dedicados a la Navidad, la literatura, las sufragistas, la prensa, otros temas habituales y nombres tan representativos en el panorama inglés de la época como Winston Churchill, además de «novedades» que deleitan por su riqueza de ingenio y humor. Como escriben los editores, «sólo leyendo sus reflexiones llegaremos a percibir, en el goteo semanal de ideas y comentarios, al gran hombre que demuestra ser en cada escrito y, probablemente, estemos de acuerdo en qué es lo que los hombres, con razón, odian». G.K. Chesterton fue uno de los escritores más importantes del siglo XX. Publicó una extensa colección de libros, ensayos y artículos, poemas, obras de teatro, novelas y cuentos que incluyen su famosa serie sobre el padre Brown. Se consideraba, sin embargo y sobre todo, un periodista, pues escribió más de 4.000 ensayos para la prensa, entre ellos los que corresponden a su longeva colaboración con The Illustrated London News, para el que escribió desde 1905 hasta 1936. Chesterton es el autor de algunas de las líneas más ingeniosas del periodismo, así como de textos de belleza conmovedora que inspirarían la conversión de grandes personajes como C.S. Lewis. Los ensayos del semanario abarcan muchos temas, desde la educación a la moda o la literatura, pasando por la historia o la actualidad política, siempre con apoyo en la tradición y buen humor. Con toda razón sus lectores lo consideran el apóstol del sentido común.

Obras clássicas da literatura cristã com profundas reflexões, orações e diálogos espirituais: Confissões do Santo Agostinho, Imitação de Cristo de Kempis, Ortodoxia de Chesterton e O Peregrino de Bunyan.